Person:John Milroy (16)

John A. Milroy John A. Milroy was born in 1862, of Scotch lineage, a farm near thevillage of York, New York. He grew up the and attended school and collegein his native section of New York State. In 1889, he married Miss NellieJane Hamilton, of the Neighboring village of Caledonia, New York and inthe same year he took his bride to Seattle, Washington, where he engaged in the real estate business. In 1893, Mr. Milroy arrived in Houston where he became associated with 0.M. Carter, founder and owner of Houston Heights, which was at that time in its initial state of development. By 1894, Mr. Milroy had sent for his family and established a home at16th and Harvard. Here they remained until 1898 when they moved to thehouse at 1102 Boulevard, since known as the Milroy home. Mr. and Mrs.Milroy had three children: Helen Douglas, Margaret Adair, and William Hamilton. Of the early group associated with Mr. Carter in founding the Heights,only Mr. Milroy stayed on through the years. When all the other businessdevelopments of the original Omaha and South Texas Land Company hadsimmered down to the simple proposition of selling real estate, then onlya real estate expert was needed. In that capacity John A. Milroy guidedthe 'Houston Heights Office' for almost 25 years. Only in 1917 did hesever, with deep regret, his connection with 0. M. Carter, when he left the Heights Office to open up his own real estate business. As manager of the Heights Office, Mr. Milroy had learned to know thecommunity interests of the Heights and this knowledge served him in hislong public career. At the first council meeting of the Municipality, wefind Mr. Milroy an alderman, then as secretary of the council, and latermember of the school board. In 1899, he was elected Mayor of the Heightsand was seven times re-elected. Finally after serving eight years he asked to withdraw. On April 17, 1907, the Houston Chronicle ran a lengthy story of atestimonial assembly at Fraternal Hall when the people of Houston Heightspaid homage to Mr. Milroy and presented him with a beautiful chest ofsilver. Judge W. G. Love in his testimonial speech said: 'Your officialconduct has been characterized by that patience and diplomacy which smallmen do not possess.' Judge Love spoke for the people of Houston Heights. On August 19, 1918, at the comparatively early age of fifty-six, John Milroy died. The Heights lost a good man.

1. ↑ Mrs. James A. Hughes. Joyce Hughes. ([email protected])
   Recorded 14 Jun 2002.
2. ↑ Mrs. James A. Hughes. Joyce Hughes. ([email protected])
   Recorded 14 Jun 2002.
3. ↑ Mrs. James A. Hughes. Joyce Hughes. ([email protected])
   Recorded 14 Jun 2002.