Copyright USGenNet Inc., 2014 All Rights Reserved USGenNet Data Repository Please read USGenNet Copyright Statement on this page: Transcribed and submitted by Linda Talbott for the USGenNet Data Repository http://www.us-data.org/ =========================================================================== Formatted by USGenNet Data Repository Chief Archivist, Linda Talbott All of the above information must remain when copied or downloaded. =========================================================================== Portrait and Biographical Album of Huron County, Michigan Pub. Chapman Brothers, Chicago, 1884 [325-326] CHARLES McMILLAN, farmer, section 29, Paris Township, was born in June, 1827, in Kentyre, Scotland. His father, ALEXANDER Mc- MILLAN, was a farmer in his native land, and held the office of Poormaster many years. He died in Scotland in 1848, aged about 65 years. ANN (SHAW) McMILLAN, the mother, was of unmixed Scottish origin, and died in Ontario in 1863. She was 73 years of age at the time of her decease. MR. McMILLAN received a good education in his native country. His father designed that he should enter the ministry, and his early education was planned accordingly. But he felt little inclin- ation for the vocation, and ceased his studies after he had accom- plished a considerable portion of the preparatory education. When he was 24 years of age, accompanied by his eldest brother, he emigrated to Canada and made a location in Elgin Co., Ont., where he purchased 200 acres of land, and devoted his time and abilities to dealing in stock. After five years of effort in that avenue of business, he sold the place with the purpose of returning to Scot- land, but before his plans were perfected, he entered a matrimonial scheme which nullified all other projects. The friends of the lady being located in Michigan, he turned his thoughts in the direction of the Peninsular State, whither he came in 1859. He located where he has since resided and operated as an agriculturist, securing a claim of 120 acres of land. He set forth to make his way thither from Forestville, Sanilac County, by a route indicated only by "blazed" trees, and 12 miles in extent. He was the first permanent settler in this part of the township, a fact which demonstrates the character of his resolute energy to fulfill a purpose, as many others had made previous attempts only to return altogether to their old homes, or to make another attempt to locate in a region that promised less of privation and hardship. MR. McMILLAN is now the proprietor of 480 acres of land, includ- ing more than 300 acres under excellent cultivation. The improve- ments have all been made under his personal supervision, and are of the best type. He has given much attention to raising stock, and has made a specialty of Durham cattle. He is a Republican in poli- tical connection, and has always been active in local and general politics. He has held the office of Supervisor about 20 years, beginning with the third term after the organization of the town- ship, and holding the position until he declined a further re- election. He was married April 4, 1859, in Elgin Co., Ont., to MARY SHAW, and they have had nine children — ARCHIBALD, ALEXANDER, CHARLES, CAMPBELL, JOHN, DANIEL, DUGALD, ANN and CATHERINE. The last born is deceased. MRS. McMILLAN was born in August, 1837, in Scotland. She is the daughter of CHARLES and DOUGLASS (BRUCE) SHAW, and in 1855 accom- panied her parents to Ontario, where her father died, in 1859. Her mother was an inmate of her home in Paris Township until the terrible period of flame and fire in 1871, when the house and all its contents were destroyed. MR. McMILLAN was absent, and his family, consisting of his mother-in-law, five little children, and his wife with an infant ten hours old, passed alive through that terrible period. No pen can adequately describe the situation. MRS. SHAW was so badly burned that she died in consequence. MRS. McMILLAN, with her baby and five other children, crept into a root house, where they passed the most desolate hours of their lives, the night of the 9th of October, 1871, all being nearly exhausted from the heat and smoke. The heroic endurance of the young mother shows how strong and lasting is the element of true courage in her line of ancestral descent on her mother's side, where the name of DOUGLASS BRUCE perpetuated those of the royal champion of Scotland, and of his friend to whom the illustrious ROBERT committed his heart, and whom he enjoined to carry it for burial to the Holy Land. The legend relates that the faithful DOUGLASS, true to his commission, fought his way toward Palestine, flinging before him into the midst of the Saracens, the heart of BRUCE, and fighting up to it until he accomplished his purpose. =========================================================================== If you've reached this file through a SEARCH, you can access more of our growing collection of FREE online information by going to the following URL: http://www.us-data.org/ ===========================================================================