The Redwood gazette. [volume] (Redwood Falls, Minn.) 1873-1940, 1890-08-07
In our NEW BRICK STORE, opposite F. w. Phbricks
Public Reception every business day and evening" which
invited especially those who appreciate Choice Goods
OUR FIRST CITIZEN.

OUR FIRST CITIZEN.
Hon. James Mcmillan Called to His Rest,
after Short Illness.
No sadder duty has devolved upon
the people of Redwood Falls for many
day, than that of following to its last
resting place all that was mortal of
James Mcmillan. His death came
with prelude of less than two days
sickness. Saturday Mr.. Mcmillan was
at his place of business as usual. That
evening he was suddenly taken with
alarming symptoms, and grew steadi
ly worse, being greatly weakened by
loss of blood during the day on Sun
day. Monday afternoon, at little
before four o'clock, he called his fam
lily about him, and after an affecting
farewell, soon passed away. He was
conscious up to within very short
time before his death. His last illness
was the outgrowth a disease (diabetes)
which had been undermining his sys-
tenn for years, but which had deceit
fully given both Mr.. Mcmillan and
his friends reason to hope that pres
ent danger, at least, had been averted.
Only last Saturday Mr.. Mcmillan was
congratulating himself, in conversa-
ton with a friend, on apparently over
coming the old enemy of his physical
peace.
OF Mr.. Mcmillan as as a citizen it is
difficult to speak too highly. No man
had better claim to the title of "first
citizen" than he. No man in business
in the town had been here so long, or
had so wide an acquaintance with 9th
or early settlers of the county. He
came to Redwood Falls in it's infancy
in l865-and built the Mcmillan
Hotel, which afterwards became the
Exchange. In 1871 he sold out the
hotel, and after short experience in
the hardware business, engaged in the
sale of general merchandise with a
partner on the corner now occupied by
! c. A. Francois & Co. Subsequently he
bought out his partner and continued
in merchandising alone until he sold
out to Mr.. Francois, in February 1882,
soon after which time he became Joint
owner with w. E. Baker in the Delhi
Mills. Mr.. Mcmillan was repeatedly
chosen as Trustee or President of the
village council, and in 1888 was elect
ed to represent Redwood county in
the Minnesota House of Represents
tives. His public life was marked by
fidelity to duty and principle, and a
disposition to yield to his fellow citi-
zens at times regardless of his private
interests or inclinations. Personally
James Mcmillan will be remembered
as the embodiment of kindness and
good will to all men, and he was one
of those rather rare men who was ap-
proachable by the humblest as we'll as
the highest in the social scale, and ap-
parently knew no social distinctions, SO
far as friendship was concerned. The
deceased had been for years identified
with the Masonic fraternity, and was a
member of Redwood Falls command
cry, X. T. As will be seen by the res
olutions printed below, he was a mem
Der and vestryman of the Episcopal
church at this place.
Mr.. Mcmillan was married to Ella
Mason in 1864-the year before com
ing to Redwood Falls-in Houston
county, this state, to which county he
came with his parents from Canada in
1850. He was born in the latter coun-
try in 1889. Besides his widow, an
only son-O. w. McMillan-and an
adopted daughter-Miss Ida Carroth-
ers- survive him.
We hesitate here to speak of Mr.
Mcmillan in his family relations, real
izing the impossibility of portraying
the best side of his character. Only
his immediate relatives can realize the
full measure of this loss, and we need
not dwell upon it, except to offer the
home left desolate the sincere sympa-
thy of community which sorrows
with them and respects their grief.
The funeral of James Mcmillan yes
terday was conducted at the house
Rev. Prves leading the service. The
brother Masons of the deceased at
tended in body, together with the
Knight Templars in uniform, and the
interment was with Masonic honors
The funeral procession, which was not
able for its length and representative
character, was headed by the Morgan
band. The floral offerings at the ser.
vice, and the concourse of people
which overfowed both the house and
grounds, will long be remembered
here.
Resolutions of Respest,
Resolutions passed by the vestry oil
! Al e l. ~ r.