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John A. McMillen, who has important financial interests in Mooresville, is living retired after a period of close identification with the agricultural development of Livingston county. He has been a resident of this part of Missouri since 1859 but is a native of Kentucky, born in Bracken county, June 27, 1839. His parents were George W. and Cornelia A. (Field) McMillen, the former a carpenter by trade and a representative of an old American family of Scotch origin. This line was founded in America by the grandfather of the subject of this review, James McMillen, who fought in the continental army during the entire period of the Revolutionary war. The father of our subject died April 21, 1878, at the age of seventy-six, having survived his wife since 1859. He was laid to rest in Alton, Illinois, while his wife's grave is at Bishop Point, in the same state.

John A. McMillen acquired his education in the public schools of his native section and laid aside his books in order to accept a position as clerk in a grocery store. After four years he moved to Missouri and worked as a clerk and also engaged in the drug business, severing his connection with both lines of occupation in order to to turn his attention to agricultural pursuits. He bought a farm of seventy acres and from that time until his retirement steadily carried forward until his retirement steadily carried forward the work of development along progressive lines, making many substantial improvements in buildings. He erected fine barns, granaries and outbuildings and installed all the needed farm machinery, providing the place with the accessories of a model agricultural establishment. He still owns this tract and has formed a partnership with his son in the breeding and raising of high-grade hogs. Mr. McMillen also owned at one time another tract of one hundred and sixty acres, upon which he built a levee and which he further improved during the twenty years he held possession of it by planting with his one thousand trees, making a twenty-acre orchard. This property he later sold and of late years has resided in Mooresville, where he is well known in business circles. He was one of the founders and organizers of the Mooresville Savings Bank and served as first president of that institution, doing able work during the seven years he held office in directing the policy of the bank and in establishing its standard. He is till connected with the concern as a member of the board of directors.

On the 2d of February, 1865, Me. McMillen was united in marriage, at Utica, Missouri, to Miss Susan M. Stone, a daughter of John and Susan (Stover) Stone, the former one of the first settlers in Livingston county and afterward prominent in public life as county judge. He died in 1888, having survived his wife since 1883, and both are buried in the old Stone private burial ground on the high hill, near Utica. Mr. and Mrs. McMillen became the parents of ten children. The eldest, D. Edwin, died at the age of fourteen, having been drowned in the Grand River, July 3, 1880. He is buried in the Stone cemetery. Cornelia became the wife of Robert E. Braden, of Utca. Lucy is a graduate of the Utica high school and makes her home with her parents. She is employed as assistant cashier of the Mooresville Savings Bank. Lillie married O.H. Matheson, an engineer on the Frisco line, with residence at Fort Scott, Kansas, Dr, Thomas McMillen is practicing dental surgery in Kansas City, Missouri. George is in partnership with his father in the management of the farm. Samuel is a practicing dentist in Rockport, Missouri. Otis is well known as a dentist in Barnard, Missouri. Susan became the wife of C.W. Hawkins, a farmer of Green township. The youngest child born to this union is Florence, who became the wife of M. Reynolds, of Ottumwa, Iowa.

Mr. McMillen gives his allegiance to the democratic party and takes an active interest in public affairs, although he never seeks public office. He has attained the third degree in Masonry and his religious views are in accord with the doctrines of the Baptist church. A residence in Livingston county covering a period of fifty-four years has made him well and favorably known here. During the years that have elapsed since his arrival he has gained prosperity as an agriculturist and prominence as a business man and has achieved also that true success which finds evidence in the respect and esteem of many friends.

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