Thomas County GaArchives Biographies.....Milligan, Edward Coke 1858 - living in 1913 ************************************************ Copyright. All rights reserved. http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm http://www.usgwarchives.net/ga/gafiles.htm ************************************************ File contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by: Joy Fisher http://www.genrecords.net/emailregistry/vols/00001.html#0000031 October 19, 2004, 8:04 pm Author: William Harden p.807-808 EDWARD COKE MILLIGAN. None of the residents of the Boston district in Thomas county are better known or more closely associated with the varied activities of this vicinity than Mr. Edward Coke Milligan, merchant and farmer of Boston. Mr. Milligan, who represents the sturdy Scotch-Irish stock was born in Dale county, Alabama, September 10, 1858. His grandparents were natives of the North of Ireland, and thence brought their children to America, first settling in North Carolina and after several years removing to Alabama, where they settled in Pike county, bought land and engaged in farming, and spent the rest of their days there. The grandfather was very proficient in the use of tools and did all his own building. Edward Alexander Milligan, the father of the Boston merchant, was one of a large family of children, was born in the North of Ireland and was still young when the family crossed the Atlantic. Reared in Alabama at a time when free schools had not yet come into existence, he nevertheless made use of every opportunity and acquired a proficiency which enabled him when still in his 'teens to teach school. He thus earned the money with which to advance his education and preparation for a higher career. He took up the study of law, was admitted to the bar, and gained considerable success in the law at Newton, in Dale county, Alabama. He also bought a farm and combined legal practice with the pursuits of agriculture, operating his land with the aid of slave labor. In 1862 enlisting in an Alabama regiment, he served with his command in many of the important battles of the war. After the close of hostilities he returned home and resumed practice and farming. In 1877, having sold his Alabama interests, he came to Thomas county, Georgia, and in order to give his sons the benefit of farm life and training bought land in the Boston district. Here he was engaged in the active direction of his farm for ten years, and then removed to Moultrie, where he bought town property and farm lands in the vicinity, and as a resident of Moultrie continued farming and stock raising until his death, which occurred at the age of eighty-one years. The late Mr. Milligan married Lorena Jane Jones, who was a native of Oglethorpe county. Her father, Moses Jones, it is thought was also born in Oglethorpe county, where he spent many years as a farmer, and he afterward moved to Dale county, Alabama, where he continued the same occupation. He was a natural mechanic and built his own houses and farm wagons. He married a Miss Matthews, and she died in Oglethorpe county, and he spent his last years in Dale county. Mrs. Lorena Milligan, the mother, died at the age of sixty-five, and her children were named as follows: Edward Coke, Augustus Charles, John Calhoun, Mattie D., William Moses and Allie Cumy. Edward C. Milligan was reared and educated in his native state of Alabama, but since the age of nineteen has been a resident of Thomas county. Three years later he began his independent career as a clerk in a general store at Boston, where during the next eighteen months he laid the foundation of a solid business experience. He then engaged in the livery business, and also bought land and practically throughout his career in business has been identified more or less actively with the cultivation of the soil. After about ten years in the livery business, he bought an interest in a cotton warehouse in association with Mr. A. B. Cone and six years later became sole proprietor of the establishment. In 1907, with a partner, he engaged in merchandising, and since 1910 has owned and conducted the business alone. For several years he also handled a large trade in fertilizers. Mr. Milligan is now owner of over four hundred acres in the Boston district, devoted to general farming, is proprietor of the cotton warehouse, and conducts a store with a stock that supplies nearly every want on the farm and home. As one of the prosperous and influential business men of his community, Mr. Milligan has also performed public-spirited service for his home town. He is now a member of the council, and has served as mayor and also as president of the board of education. He affiliates with Horeb Lodge No. 281, A. F. & M., with the Odd Fellows, and with Columbia Camp of the Woodmen of the World. He and his wife are members of the Missionary Baptist church. October 25, 1885, Mr. Milligan married Miss Florida Adora Taylor, who was born in Jefferson county, Florida, a daughter of Dr. Wesley and Jane (McCoy) Taylor. Mr. and Mrs. Milligan have reared five children, namely: Ernest Coke, J. Alexander, Jane Orina, Allie May and Wesley Alexander. Ernest C. married Hester Parker and has one son named Edward Carlyle. Additional Comments: From: A HISTORY OF SAVANNAH AND SOUTH GEORGIA BY WILLIAM HARDEN VOLUME II ILLUSTRATED THE LEWIS PUBLISHING COMPANY CHICAGO AND NEW YORK 1913 File at: http://files.usgwarchives.net/ga/thomas/bios/gbs326milligan.txt This file has been created by a form at http://www.genrecords.org/gafiles/ File size: 5.5 Kb