BIOGRAPHY: James McMILLAN, Cambria County, PA 

Contributed for use in the USGenWeb Archives by Lynne Canterbury and Diann 
Olsen. 

Portions of this book were transcribed by Clark Creery, Martha Humenik, Betty 
Mirovich and Sharon Ringler.

USGENWEB ARCHIVES (tm) NOTICE All documents placed in the USGenWeb Archives 
remain the property of the contributors, who retain publication rights in 
accordance with US Copyright Laws and Regulations. In keeping with our policy of 
providing free information on the Internet, these documents may be used by 
anyone for their personal research. They may be used by non-commercial entities 
so long as all notices and submitter information are included. These electronic 
pages may NOT be reproduced in any format for profit. Any other use, including 
copying files to other sites, requires permission from the contributors PRIOR to 
uploading to the other sites. The submitter has given permission to the USGenWeb 
Archives to store the file permanently for free access. 
http://www.usgwarchives.net/pa/cambria/ 
____________________________________________________________

From Wiley, Samuel T., ed. Biographical and Portrait Cyclopedia of Cambria 
County, Pennsylvania. Philadelphia: Union Publishing Co., 1896, p. 21-22
____________________________________________________________

JAMES McMILLEN. It is no mean thing in these days of hot competition to attain 
success in any line without the advantages of systematic training, and there is 
good stuff in a man who, unaided, makes himself and his fortune without marrying 
either.  So it follows that the condition of life of a self-made man is the 
proof of his inborn capacity or lack of it.  The above has had a literal 
interpretation in the life of the subject of this sketch.
     James McMillen, widely known as an influential business man of Johnstown, 
Pennsylvania, also occupies a high place among his fellow-citizens as a self-
made man of ability and integrity.  He grew into positions of trust and profit, 
not from the force of external circumstances, but because of innate strength and 
sound ability.  He has educated himself, and chiefly through his association 
with men and connection with business interests.  Such an education makes a man 
of affairs and dispels the illusions which make the dreaming theorist.  The 
latter is seldom useful to many people, the former is always so if he possesses 
executive ability, energy and good judgment.  These traits have made Mr. 
McMillen what he is to his fellow-men.
     In March, 1850, he came to Johnstown, Cambria county, and at the 
organization of the Cambria Iron company, in 1853, he became a member.  He was 
appointed to superintend the transferring of the property from Shoenberg & King, 
the old company, to the new corporation, a task of considerable difficulty 
owning to necessary complications.
     From that day to this he has been an active and valuable member of the 
company, being of the few who are connected with it at present, and who were 
connected with it at its beginning.  He has for a number of years been a member 
of the board of directors, but six or eight years ago was elevated to the 
position of resident director, a recognition due to his qualifications.
     He is president of the First National bank of Johnstown, Pennsylvania, and 
of the Savings bank of the same place. This bank was organized in September, 
1870, and enjoys the distinction of having had two prominent men for its 
president -- Daniel J. Morrell and James McMillen -- Mr. Morrell being the 
president immediately preceding Mr. McMillen. For the position of bank president 
our subject's natural abilities, his capacity and inclination for business, and 
his scrupulousness in money matters combine to make him a very desirable person.
     He is also president of the Johnstown Water company, and the Johnstown 
Water and Gas company, and of the Grand View Cemetery association, being one of 
the organizers of the latter. This, as well as the Savings bank, is a mutual 
arrangement; fifty members control it.
     From this brief sketch a small idea may be obtained of what Mr. McMillen 
has done for the public welfare. His life affords an instructive lesson of what 
may be achieved by a capable and ambitious man.
     He was born November 21, 1822, in Indiana county, near Blairsville, where 
his father, who was a native of either Blair or Bedford county, emigrated near 
the beginning of the present century. Mr. McMillen married Miss Susanna Fair, 
now deceased, and to them were born Malissa, wife of Harry Rosensteel, of 
Johnstown, an influential citizen, and now president of the Johnstown Electric 
Light company; another child, Frank, died in 1888, and with him a bright 
enjoyment of the parent's life went out.
     Mr. McMillen is a consistent member of the English Lutheran Church, and 
although not in any sense an active politician, he discharges the duties of a 
citizen in such a way as to win the respect and confidence of his fellow-
townsmen.