Biography: Winnebago County, Wisconsin: Robert McMillen

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Submitted by Kathy Grace, <gendiva@charter.net> December 2004

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History of northern Wisconsin: containing an account of its settlement,
growth, development, and resources, an extensive sketch of its counties,
cities, towns and villages, their improvements, industries, manufactories,
biographical sketches, portraits of prominent men and early settlers, views
of county seats, etc.
Chicago: Western Historical Co., 1881 p. 1154

Robert McMillen was born in 1830, in Warren Co., N.Y.  He is a son of
Daniel and Mary McMillen, natives of New York, received his early education
at the common schools in his native place, and, after leaving school,
worked on a farm, and in winter "went into the woods."   In 1853 he
married, and in the fall of the following year he removed to Oshkosh, Wis. 
He found employment as a carpenter for some time, and having accumulated a
small sum of money, he bought a horse and wagon, and teamed for a year and
a half.  Not prospering in this way, he sold out and went to Muskegon,
Mich., where he found employment with the Newago Lumber Co., and was placed
in charge of the lumber, dock and shipping department.  In the following
year, his suffering with fever and ague compelled his return to Oshkosh.
Soon after, Mr. C.W. Davis, his present partner is business, came to this
place.  Having some little means, they purchased the interest of J.D.
Jones, of the firm of Morgan & Jones, who were carrying on the manufacture
of sashes, doors and blinds, and the firm name became Morgan, Davis & Co.
The firm continued a year and a half, when Davis and McMillen sold out
their interest to the brother of R.T. Morgan, and started under the firm
name of McMillen & Davis in the shingle business.  They ran this mill until
1867, and accumulated some considerable capital.  In the latter year they
traded a one-half interest in this business for an interest in Walker,
Adams and Co.'s foundry, and the firm became Beckwith, Davis & Co.  The
following year they sold their remaining interest in the shingle mill, and
increased their interest in the foundry.  A year and half later, Mr.
McMillen traded his interest in the foundry for a mill property, built
where his present mill now stands, belonging to M.T. Battis and others.
His brother, J.H. McMillen, sold his shingle mill and became interested
with him under the firm name of McMillen & Brother.  This continued until
the death of J.H. McMillen in 1871.  He then organized the firm of R.
McMillen & Co., and the name has remained the same to the present day.
From the organization of the firm of McMillen & Brother to the present day,
the firm has met with uninterrupted prosperity, due solely to diligence,
business sagacity and integrity.  The present saw mill was built in 1868,
but their sash, door and blind factory not until 1873; this has been
enlarged from time to time to meet the demands of their enormous business. 
Mr. McMillen is a man of great energy, much kindness of heart, and has a
liberal share of public spirit.  In his political opinions he is a
Republican, but not an active politician, uniformly declining office.