My Genealogy Hound

WILLIAM A. MILLIGAN, who is always found in the front rank of any enterprise calculated to promote the growth and upbuilding of Coulterville, is a citizen whom Randolph County could ill afford to lose. He is both widely and favorably known, and at the present time is carrying on a good trade as stationer and jeweler. In local affairs he has also been prominent, having been City Clerk of Coulterville for three years, and a member of the School Board for one term.

Samuel and Rachael K. (Miller) Milligan, the parents of our subject, were natives respectively of Adams County, Ohio, and Saratoga County, N. Y., the father having been born in December, 1809, and the mother in October, 1817. The paternal grandparents of our subject, William and Jane (Gibson) Milligan, came from Scotland. His maternal grandparents were also born across the water, William Miller being a native of Scotland, and his wife, Margaret Miller, being born in Ireland.

The parents of our subject were married in Illinois in 1837, near the Garden of Eden, and after their union, located near Coulterville, on a farm which is now the site of the village. When Samuel Milligan settled here, it was a wild and uncultivated tract, and he was one of the pioneers in the vicinity. He manifested a commendable interest in every advance movement, and took an active part in educational and ecclesiastical affairs. With his wife he was a member of the Reformed Presbyterian Church. He died July 13, 1852; his wife still survives. They reared a family of eight children, six of whom are now living.

William A. Milligan was born on the old homestead February 23, 1840, and remained there until 1867. After attaining his majority, he superintended the operations of the estate for six years, when he came to Coulterville and became a member of the firm of A. S. Dickey & Co., continuing in the business for nearly three years. This venture did not prove at all successful, and in January, 1871, Mr. Milligan, having disposed of his stock of merchandise, borrowed $100, which, added to the amount he already had, enabled him to open a small book and stationery store, and in this branch of trade he is still engaged.

In 1873 our subject, in company with his brother J. S., opened a fine drug store in this place, which they continued to conduct very successfully until 1879. The old homestead already spoken of was sold, and the money derived therefrom divided among the children, Mr. Milligan’s share being $800. March 9, 1886, he married Miss Anna Sorrells, a native of Tennessee, and the daughter of Joseph and Emma (Blair) Sorrells. Mrs. Milligan was born February 18, 1859, and has become the mother of a daughter, Emily, who was born December 12, 1891.

Mr. and Mrs. Milligan are devoted members of the United Presbyterian Church, of which denomination in Coulterville our subject was one of the founders, and also served as its Treasurer for a number of years. His membership is now with the church at Oakdale. He is a stanch Republican in politics, and for fifteen years was the efficient servant of Uncle Sam as Postmaster at this place, and for five years served as Deputy Postmaster. His long residence here has made him well known to the public, and that he is highly regarded cannot be doubted when the large number of his warm friends are taken into consideration. He was one of the Directors in the establishment of the Coulterville flouring mills, and also owns stock in the co-operative creamery, which forms one of the industries of this place.