Person:Willard McMillin (1)

The following information was compiled by doreenmc@sbcglobal.net. Please do not use WITHOUT citation.

Willard Franklin McMillin was born on 22 August, 1838, most census records say in Pennsylvania. His parents lived in MIddleton Township, Columbiana County, Ohio at that time, but perhaps they had gone over to Beaver County, PA which was just over the state line. On his death record, his name is listed as William, but his military records all show "Willard". I suspect that he was in Hancock County, Illinois in 1860 where two of his brothers, James and John, then resided. But, by 1861 he had probably moved up to Crawford County, where he met his future wife, Susannah Eihorn. His son Frank was born in 1862, probably before he enlisted in the Civil War. His daughter, Minnie was born in 1865 or 1866, after he returned. Sadly, his wife Susannah died in November, 1867 at the young age of 24. Her children were raised by her parents, John and Susannah Eihorn. By 1910, Willard had moved to Madera County, California to be with his daughter, Minnie, and he died there on 2nd of January 1928 at the age of 89.

1850 US CENSUS, Huntington Twnshp, Gallia Co, OHIO: Son, Franklin, Age 12 <1838>, born Ohio, found with parents Henry & Elizabeth McMullin.

1860 US CENSUS: Willard or Franklin McMillin not found in Wisconsin or Ohio. Found Franklin McMillin, Age 24, Single, living in Warsaw, Hancock Co.,ILL Occ. Daug?? Artist. His brothers James and John were living in nearby township, Pilot Grove. (unconfirmed)

Civil War Records - 31st Regiment Infantry Company D, Wisconsin Volunteers: Willard F. McMillen Rolling Ground Aug 15 1862 M.O. Jun 20, 1865 Jonathan W. Adney Clayton Aug 14 1862 Trans to Co. K, Jan 17 1863 John Copas Rolling Ground Aug 15 1862 Trans to Co.K. M.O. Jun 20, 1865

HISTORY OF CRAWFORD COUNTY - The Thirty-First Wisconsin Regiment (summarized) 14th of November,1862, the 31st was removed from Prairie du Chien. 1st of March, 1863, under orders to report at Columbus, Ky, went into camp at Fort Halleck. 5th of October, 1863, it marched to La Vergne, Tenn. Winter of 1863-64, engaged in guarding the bridge at Stone river. On the 6th of July, 1864, they were ordered to Nashville, TN. Proceeded by rail for Marietta, Ga., which they reached on the 19th. 22d of July, 1864, the regiment moved with the army upon Atlanta, and were placed in the front line; and here they lay under fire until Aug. 25, Returned to the railroad bridge across the Chattahoochee. 4th of September, 1864, the skirmishers of the 31st were among the first to enter the city. 15th of November, 1864, broke camp and filed out of the burning city, (march to the sea.) Engagement ten miles from Savannah, capturing the works and the camp of the enemy. Siege of Savannah, Here they remained until the 18th of January, 1865. Crossed Savannah river, and rejoined its division at Parisburg, S. C., Marched through South Carolina. 16th of March, 1865 they took position in the front, at the battle of Averysboro. 19th of March, 1865, battle of Bentonville, in which ten were killed, and forty-two wounded. The regiment reached Goldsboro on the 24th of March, having been on the tramp sixty-five days, 10th of April, 1865 moving in the direction of Raleigh, when they heard of Johnston's surrender to Gen. Sherman. Went into camp at Raleigh. On the 30th of April the twentieth army corps started for Washington, passing through Richmond, Va., on the 11th, and arrived at Alexandria May 20. On the 24th took part in the grand review at Washington. On the 2d of June were ordered to Louisville. Six companies were mustered out, to date from June 20, and left for Madison June 21. They were paid off, and went to their homes July 8, 1865.

Willard F. McMillen Regiment: 31 Wisconsin Infantry, Company D, Soldier's Rank Pvt. Residence: Rolling Ground, Wisconsin, Enlisted 15 Aug 1862, DISTINGUISED SERVICE. Mustered Out: Company D, 31st Infantry Regiment, 20 June 1865. Alternate Name William F. McMillen Film Number M559 roll 20 PENSION RECORD: McMillen, Willard F., Filed 19 July 1890, Missouri.

In 1870 and 1880, the McMillen children, Frank and Minnie McMillen, born about 1862 and 1865, were living with grandparents, John and Susan Eihorn, in Clayton. He probably married Susannah Eihorn about 1861 before he enlisted in the Civil War. Susannah is found in St. Philip's cemetery: "Susanna McMillin, wife of F. McMillin, died Nov 20, 1867, age 24". (Note: Some websites have year died incorrectly transcribed.)

1880 US CENSUS, Akan, Richland Co., Wisc., Dwelling #2 Willard McMillin Self Widowed Male M 39 (1841) PA Farmer PA PA (Dwelling #3 is Lewis Dobbs & Lucina (McMillin) family,) (Dwelling #4 is John Adney & Sarah (Oxberger) family.)

1890 Veterans Schedules, Missouri, Greene, Springfield McMillin, Willard F. - Private - Ohio (should be Wisc.?)

Leavenworth, Kansas Directory, Year: 1892-1893 Name: Willard McMillin City: Leavenworth State: KS Occupation: Clerk Business: M.P. Ry. Location 2: r 210 Vine

1900 US CENSUS, 2nd ward, Des Moines, Polk Co., Iowa, Sheet 14A. <UNCONFIRMED> Very close match: correct age, correct state born, correct state for parents, and Widowed, living alone: McMillin, Wm.? Age 62, Born July 1838, PA, widowed, Parents born PA. Can't read occupation.

US National Home for the Disabled, Leavenworth, Kansas: WILLARD F. MCMILLIN Date of Enlistment: Aug. 15, 1862, Yankeetown, Wisc., Co. D, 31st Wisc. Inf. Date of Discharge: Jun 24, 1865, Louisville, KY, Cause: G.O. War Dept. Kind and Degree of disability: Rhuematism Lumbage?, Hemmorrhoids Born: PA Age: 68 Ht: 5'9" Complex: Fair Eyes: Blue Hair: Gray Read/Write: Yes Relig: Prot. Occup: Farmer RES on Discharge: Pawnee, Okla Status: Widowed Nearest Relative: Minnie Zoldoske, Pawnee, Okla. ADMISSION: July 20, 1906 DISCHARGED: June 23, 1908 at own request

1910 US CENSUS, Township 3, Madera Co., California, Household #12. Williard F. McMillin Father-in-law Age 72, Born PA, Widowed, Occupation Gardener, Parents born PA. Living with daughter Minnie Frazier, Age 42 <1868> Born WI, & her husband Samuel Frazier, 2nd marriage, marr. 5 yrs. Step-children's last name is Soldosky, all born in Oklahoma: Frank F., Age 12 <1898> Fred D., Age 10 <1900> Nellie E., Age 8 <1902>

1928 Madera County Voter Registration: McMillin, William Frank - Retired- Republican - Millview Pct.

Madera County Death Certificate, Jan. 2nd, 1928: William Franklin McMillin, Male, White, Widower. Civil War Veteran. Name of wife: Susan McMillin. (Susannah) Date of birth: Aug. 22, 1838, Pennsylvania. Age: 89 yrs., 4 mos., 10 days. Father: Henry McMillin, birthplace U.S. Mother: Elizabeth Baird (s/b Beard) birthplace U.S. Resident of California: 18 years Informant: Mrs. Minnie Zoldoske (daughter) Cause of death: Acute dilation of heart. Contributory: Myocarditis.

SOURCE: www.findagrave.com WILLARD FRANKLIN MCMILLIN Birth: Aug. 22, 1838 Death: Jan. 2, 1928 Co. D, 31 Wis. Inf The 31st Regiment Wisconsin Volunteer Infantry was an infantry regiment that served in the Union Army during the American Civil War. It was organized at Prairie du Chien and Racine, Wisconsin, and mustered into Federal service December 24, 1862. Commander: Francis Henry West. Companies A-F were mustered out on June 20, 1865. Companies G-K followed on July 8, 1865. Engagements: Atlanta Campaign and the Battle of Bentonville. The Unit suffered 23 enlisted men killed in action or who later died of their wounds, plus another 3 officers and 86 enlisted men who died of disease, for a total of 112 fatalities. Burial: Arbor Vitae Cemetery Madera, Madera County, California, USA