Biographical Sketch of

J. Edmund Millard

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 834 - 835


Judge J. Edmund Millard, County Judge of Green Lake County, has occupied that position for sixteen years.  He 
ranks high in the esteem of the people of the community, both as an official and citizen, and is well worthy 
of representation in this volume, where is recorded the lives of the honored pioneers and prominent men of the 
community.  He is a native of the Empire State, having been born in Jefferson County, April 30, 1819.  His 
paternal grandfather Edmund Millard, was a Massachusetts farmer, and married Abigail Hoadley, by whom he had 
a family of five children.  His maternal grandfather, Jacob Ambler, was of English birth, and throughout his 
business career engaged in merchandising.  He chose for a life companion Miss Weed, a celebrated singer, and 
unto them were born nine children.  
 
The Judge's grandparents removed to Saratoga County, N. Y., in an early day, where his father, Herman Millard, 
was born in 1797.  He was reared to mercantile pursuits, and for many years engaged in that line of business.  
He was joined in wedlock with Miss Mary Ambler, also a native of Saratoga County, born in 1798, and their union 
was blessed with eight children, six sons and two daughters, of whom three sons and the daughters are yet living.  
In 1818, Mr. Millard was appointed by John C. Calhoun, then Secretary of War, as a cadet at West Point, but 
declined the honor.  He continued to engage in merchandising until 1831, in which year he was elected Sheriff 
of Jefferson County, N. Y., whither he had removed some time previous and in that capacity served three years.  
The next official position which he held was that of Deputy Collector of Customs at Clayton, N. Y., serving as 
such for five years.  In 1850, through the influence of his son, he came to Green Lake County, where he made 
his home until his death, Nov. 27, 1856.  His wife lived to an advance age, dying Dec. 17, 1885.  She was an 
active member of the Presbyterian Church and a faithful, consistent Christian woman.  Politically Mr.. Millard 
was a Democrat of the Jeffersonian stripe.
 
Our subject was the oldest child of his father's family. He received no special advantages during his youth, 
having acquired his elementary education in the district schools, but after attaining his majority he attended 
the Ogdensburg Academy for two years and then entered the Western Reserve College of Hudson, Ohio, where he 
pursued an engineering course.  Soon after leaving college he was chosen Assistant Clerk of the Lower House 
of Congress, a position which he retained five years, first under McNulty and subsequently under Maj. French.  
He there had the opportunity of hearing such distinguished statesmen as Webster, Calhoun, Benton and Choate. 
 
Judge Millard was married Aug. 27, 1844, to Harriet S. Bingham, a native of Livingston County, N. Y., and a 
daughter of Dr. Charles Bingham.  In 1847, the young couple came to Green Lake County on a visit, but soon 
returned to their home in Washington, D. C.  However, the country with its brilliant prospects had made a 
favorable impression upon them and in 1849 they returned to make it their home, settling upon a farm in the 
town of Green Lake.  Mr. Millard was inexperienced in agricultural pursuits, but possessing an observing eye 
and profiting by the experience of others, he soon acquainted himself with the methods of farming.  He had not 
long been a resident of the county ere the people recognizing his superior ability, elected him to the position 
of Register of Deeds in 1852, he holding the office four years.  Almost continuously since he has occupied some 
office and has proved a faithful public servant.  He is an ardent advocate of the Democracy, but though the 
county is strongly Republican, he receives large majorities, which fact is indicative of his great popularity 
and ability.  As before stated, he has held the office of County Judge since 1877, and his present term of 
service extends to 1893.  On vacating the office of Register of Deeds, he went into a flouring mill in Kingston 
and did a fair business in that line for twenty years, during which time he held the office of President of the 
Village for several terms.
 
In 1873 Mr. Millard met the most painful experience of his life in the loss of his wife, who died on Christmas 
Day of that year.  She was in full fellowship with the Protestant Episcopal Church and was a woman highly esteemed 
by all who knew her for her many excellent characteristics.  Three children were born of their union, two boys who 
died in childhood, and Alice, now the wife of M. W. Stevens.  The Judge was again married June 29, 1882, when Mrs. 
Margaret McCauley became his wife.  In his church relations he is an Episcopalian, but his wife holds membership in 
the Methodist Church.
 
Judge Millard is the owner of 240 acres of land in the town of Green Lake, but while engaged in the duties of his 
office he leaves the management of his farm to his wife, who possesses excellent executive ability and ably controls 
affairs.  This worthy couple are well and favorably known throughout the county and well deserve the esteem which is 
tendered them by all.  The respect in which the Judge is held is evinced by the fact that for sixteen years he has 
held county offices in a strongly Republican county, but the people have never yet had occasion to regret the confidence 
reposed in him.
 





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