Bio: Milburn Fillmore "Milburns" Alfred, Caddo Parish La
Source: From Chronicles of Shreveport and Caddo Parish, Maude Hearn O'Pry,
1928, 
Submitted by: Kay Thompson Brown

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                    MILBURN FILLMORE ALFRED
                          "MILBURNS."
                                
IT is not often that one makes such a success that his identity is lost in the
business, but such is the case of Milburn Fillmore Alfred, the proprietor and
owner of one of the successes of Shreveport. Even the most intimate friends of
young Alfred forget that "Milburn" is not his surname. Innately an artist,
he gave that name to his first venture when he bought out a little kodak
finishing shop on Lawrence street.  


When but three years of age, Milburn could draw almost anything he saw. His
mother treasures pictures he drew at this age. When he entered the
kindergarten, his teacher marveled at his talent along artistic lines. While
he loved play and activities, he loved art more and seemed to find his
recreation working at art.

When about fourteen years of age he took his first position with M. L, Bath &
Company and soon became a dictograph expert. As soon as Milburn finished high
school he bought out the little finishing shop above referred to, paying $500
for it. His father endorsed the notes. He ran this kodak finishing shop for
six months and sold out at a nice profit. A desire for bigger things was the
reason for selling out.  He wished to learn more about photography and went to
the Southern School of Photography. Here he is said to have devoured all that
there was to he learned in a short time and  was still discontent with what he
knew. When he returned to Shreveport he bought out the Max Autrey
establishment which was really the old Dambley business--one of the oldest
ever in the city-paying $3,500 for it. In this venture he succeeded right non 
but after about two and a half years  here, he still desired "bigger and
bigger" things, never pleased with his work but working early and late to
improve and discover newer methods of expressing beauty. To satisfy this
longing for Growth, he "plunged" again on Fairfield avenue. He startled his
parents with this because it was a $10,000 move. But it seems like, young man
knows no such word as "fail" and at a little over five years since his first
venture in business, without  a single cent to start with, he is rated at
$25,000 and out of debt. Perhaps young Milburn had what is worth more than all
the wealth of India-the  co-operation of a devoted father who has been the
closest chum and pal. His father endorsed all his notes which the lad
redeemed-to a penny. The one "priceless ingredient" in young Milburn's
character which has brought about this phenomenal success is his love for
work. If a job is to be finished, he finishes it regardless of the hours of
work to be put on it; if it requires working all night long, it is done. The
one thing that counts with him is Accomplishment and the Best Possible
workmanship he can give.

Milburn F. Alfred was born in Shreveport, January 17, 1903. His parents are
Glen Alfred and Ida D. Lucar Alfred. He graduated in the class of 1922 from
the Shreveport High School.

Mr. Milburn married in February, 1924, Miss Ne1l Cook, a Shreveport girl,
whose father is connected with Jordan & Booth. His wife has proved a
remarkable helpmate, being deeply interested in his work, working by his side
at any and all hours.

Since the age of eight young Milburn has always developed his own work. While
in school, because of the wonderful blue prints and drawings young Milburn
made, his teachers and others prophesied be would be an architect, but, in his
heart, he knew his avocation would be PHOTOGRAPHY!