Biographical Sketch of

Archie McMillan

Transcribed by Sandra Boudrou for the Marquette Co WI Pages


Source: Portrait and Biographical Album of Green Lake, Marquette and Waushara Counties, Wisconsin, 
published 1890 by Acme Publishing Co., Chicago, Pages 376 - 377 - 378


Archie McMillan, a representative farmer residing on section 34 in the town of Saxeville, Waushara County, 
is a native of Manchester, England.  He was born on the 8th of April, 1839, and is a son of Daniel McMillan, 
who was born on the Isle of Bute, Scotland, about twenty-eight miles from Glasgow, Oct. 22, 1809.  He served 
a four years' apprenticeship to the blacksmith's trade, which he followed during the greater part of his life.  
On attaining his majority he left his native isle and went to Liverpool, where he worked for a short time, 
after which he spent thirteen years in the employ of William Fairbairn, in Manchester, England, as a machinist 
and blacksmith.  He then engaged in business for himself for two years, repairing machinery in various factories 
in Manchester.  On the 6th of May, 1838, he married Isabella Beard, who was born in Berwick, Scotland, on the 
Tweed, Aug. 3, 1813, and was a daughter of George and Margaret (Wood) Beard, who were also natives of Scotland.  
They lived upon one farm for twenty-four years and Mr. Beard was a deacon in the Presbyterian Church for the long 
period of forty-four years.
 
The mother of our subject was born near Melrose Abbey, the birth place of Sir Walter Scott, and by her union with 
Daniel McMillan became the mother of four children--Archie; George B., mentioned later on; Margaret A., wife of 
Thomas H. Dredge, a native of England; and Daniel D., whose residence is at present not known to the family.  In 
April, 1850, the family emigrated to America, settling first in New York City.  The father worked for the Hudson 
River Railroad Company for two years but on account of failing health was forced to seek new employment and came 
to Pine River, Wis., May 12, 1852.  He purchased 160 acres of wild land in the town of Saxeville, which he operated 
for four years, when he was called home.  He died Feb. 12, 1856, of consumption.  He was a member of the Scotch 
Presbyterian Church, politically was a Republican and was one of the strongest supporters of abolition principles.
 
The subject of this sketch acquired his education in England and the schools of New York City.  He selected for a 
life companion Miss Maggie Moore, who was born in Walworth County, Wis., Oct. 16, 1846.  Unto them have been born 
two children--Mary B., born Dec. 2, 1876; and Anna, born Feb. 21, 1881.  Since 1859 Mr. McMillan has resided upon 
the farm which is now his home.  He is an excellent farmer, thoroughly understands his business and is therefore 
quite successful in his operations.  He also devotes considerable attention to stock raising, making a specialty 
of Short-horn cattle and Merino sheep.
 
Mr. McMillan has long been numbered among the prominent and influential citizens of Waushara County and has taken 
a leading part in public affairs.  He is a staunch advocate of Republican principles and has held various official 
positions.  He was township Chairman for six successive terms, from 1861 to 1870, was town Clerk, was Town Treasurer 
in 1871, in 1876 was Clerk of the court and held that office six years and in 1883 was made town Chairman, which 
position he still holds.  In 1887 he served as Assistant Engrossing Clerk in the State Legislature, in 1888 was 
Chairman of the delegation from Waushara County to the State Convention and in September, 1886, was a Delegate to 
the Congressional Convention that nominated C. B. Clark for Member of Congress.  Promptness and fidelity have ever 
marked his course under his official career and the many offices which he has held indicate his popularity.  Socially 
he is a member of Pine River Lodge, No. 207, A. F. & A. M., in which he holds the office of Secretary and in 1884 
and 1885 represented the auxiliary in the Grand Lodge at Milwaukee.
 
George McMillan, brother of Archie, also deserves special mention in this volume as one of the valued citizens of 
Waushara County.  He was born Dec. 13, 1840, in Manchester, England, and after acquiring a good common school education 
engaged in teaching for two years in the town of Saxeville and for three years in the village of that name.  A loyal and 
patriotic citizen, in 1861 he enlisted as a member of Company A. 16th Wisconsin Infantry, commanded by Capt. Edward Saxe.  
He was first under fire at the battle of Shiloh, after which he was offered the rank of Orderly Sergeant but refused the 
commission.  His first engagement was followed by the hard fought battle of Corinth, another at Iuka, the second battle 
of Corinth, after which with his command he marched down the Mississippi Valley and participated in the capture of Holly 
Springs.  In 1863 he marched from Memphis, Tenn., down the Mississippi River to Vicksburg and until after the fall of 
that city was stationed at Lake Providence.  He was there taken sick and sent home on a ninety days' furlough.  He rejoined 
his command while the army was encamped at Red Bone, Mississippi, in 1863.  His term of three years expired in January, 
1864, but he immediately re-enlisted and served until the close of the war.  He received a second furlough after his 
enlistment and on his return joined Sherman's army, participating in the siege of Atlanta, the celebrated March to the 
Sea, then on through the Carolinas and the grand review at Washington.
 
Returning to his home when the war was over, Mr. McMillan clerked in the store of John A. Williams, of Saxeville, until 
the following spring, when he purchased a sawmill in the northeastern part of the town of Saxeville and for two years 
engaged in the lumber trade.  He then made a tour of Kansas, Missouri, Iowa and Minnesota and at length purchased 160 
acres of land on the Willow Creek in Blue Earth County, Minn., where he engaged in farming for about two years but 
retained possession of the same for fifteen years.  He now owns 1,120 acres of land situated in different parts of 
the country.  For some time he has been successfully engaged in the culture of cranberries, his marsh in this county 
yielding him $500 above all expenses.
 
Socially, Mr. McMillan is a Mason.  He was W. H. of Pine River Lodge for five years and for six years has been a 
representative to the Grand Lodge, in which he served as marshal in 1888.  He has been a member of the Grand Lodge 
for fifteen years and also belongs to Berlin Chapter, No. 18, R. A. M. and Berlin Commandery, No. 10, K. T.  In politics 
he is a Republican and for two years served as Town Clerk.
 





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