Biographical Sketch of

Will Milligan

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 697 - 698 


Will Milligan, who is engaged in the furniture and undertaking business in Kingston, is one of the leading citizens 
of the village.  He was born in the town of Manchester, Green Lake County, March 21, 1859, and is the second in order 
of birth in a family of seven children, whose parents are John and Catherine (Green) Milligan, both of whom were 
natives of the Empire State.  Ella, the eldest child of the family, is the wife of George Greenleaf, a merchant of 
Kingston, Wis.; the third child is now deceased; Amelia is the wife of Henry Pickett, of Kingston; Henry is engaged 
in clerking at Birnamwood,, Wis.; Frank follows the profession of teaching; and Walter is with his parents.
 
Our subject received liberal educational advantages, having supplemented his primary studies which he pursued in the 
common schools by a course in the Normal at Oshkosh.  His younger days were passed upon his father's farm, when, at 
the age of fifteen years, he began life for himself by teaching school.  That pursuit he followed during the winter 
season, while in the summer months he assisted his father.  He may truly be called a self-made man, and for one who 
is so young comparatively he deserves no little credit for the success to which he has attained.  On the 26th day of 
March, 1884, he led to the marriage altar Miss Lydia Bow, whose family is mentioned elsewhere in this work.  She is 
a native of the town of Kingston and by their marriage one child has been born.
 
Mr. Milligan continued to engage in teaching, and in the winter of 1882-3 held the position of Principal of the Markesan 
Schools, where he gave the best satisfaction.  In fact, wherever employed as an instructor, he has discharged his duties 
in so able a manner that he has won the confidence and well wishes of all concerned.  In the autumn of 1882, however, he 
turned his attention to other business interests, purchasing a half interest in a general mercantile store at Kingston, 
becoming a member of the firm of Greenleaf & Milligan.  They established a good business, their trade constantly 
increasing from the first.  By the courteous manner of the partners and their efforts and desires to please their 
customers, they secured a liberal patronage, continuing in business until 1886, when Mr. Milligan sold his interest.  
During all the time he was thus engaged he had also held the principalship of the Kingston schools.  When he disposed 
of his interest in the store he then started on a Western trip, traveling through the Dakotas and Iowa.  On his return 
he acted as collector during the remainder of the year, and in 1888 went to Aurora County, Dak., where he purchased 160 
acres of land and planted a crop, which he harvested the following fall.  He then returned to Kingston and accepted the 
position of principal of its schools, of which he remained in charge until the spring of 1889, when he purchased a farm 
on section 25, and in the fall of the same year exchanged his farm for property and his present business in the village 
of Kingston.  It comprises 160 acres of land and is under a high state of cultivation.
 
Mr. Milligan is a worthy representative of the younger element which has done so much toward promoting the interests of 
the county and is regarded by all as a worthy citizen.  He has frequently been called to positions of honor and trust 
and for three terms, in 1881, 1882, and 1883, was Township Clerk.  He also held the office of Assessor for two years 
and in 1882 was nominated by the Democratic party, of which he is a strong advocate, for the office of register of Deeds.  
Although the county is strongly Republican, he reduced the majority so greatly that he is now holding the position of 
Notary Public.  He has ever discharged his official duties in a prompt and able manner and to the satisfaction of all 
concerned.  His life has been such as to commend him to the respect and confidence of all with whom business or pleasure 
may bring him in contact, and no young citizen of Kingston Township is held in higher regard.






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