Obituary

Died, at his residence in this village, on Saturday last, November 17th, 1877, at 1:00 PM, of cancer of the stomach, James W. McMillan, aged 57 years.

Thus briefly we have stated the facts that caused a cloud of sadness and sorrow to invade this whole community last Saturday afternoon, as one person after another learned that the toiling of the church bell announced the death of all work worthy and highly esteemed citizen, James W. McMillan, then whom no man in grand ledge was more generally respected than he. This sad news was not unexpected, as a council of the best physicians had decided that he could not recover.

The subject of this article was born at Middleburg, New York, June 1820 in which state he resided till about 30 years ago, when, with the vigor and energy of manhood, and a full realization of the fact that whatever he became in this world must be accomplished by himself individually, he sought his fortune and future home in Michigan. Arriving at Detroit, the long and tedious journey over the dismal, dreary route from that city to DeWitt Township, Clinton County, was made with teams. At that time about 3 white men inhabited DeWitt Township. Shortly after his arrival in Clinton County, he purchased the old homestead in eagle, now occupied by his only surviving son, William McMillan, a brother of the deceased occupying the place at the time of its purchase. Here his pioneer life began, and after enduring those hardships and inconveniences known only to the pioneer settler, he finally realized that degree of independence and comfort that rewards the city is and persistent labor in any capacity.

Being possessed of more than an ordinary education, he taught school many terms during those years, and there are today many men and women in the v vicinity of the line between Eaton and Clinton counties who remember him as a faithful and devoted teacher – not only in an educational sense, but morally speaking, as well

Desiring a change from the life of the farmer, seven years ago last March he removed to grand ledge, and his history as a citizen of this village is so well known to all that it seems hardly necessary to repeat it. We had no man in our village more public spirited than he; no man who would more willingly devote to public and society matters the same time and attention that he would provide to private affairs; And, as we have heard many remark, he was a man this community could ill afford to lose.

For many years he was a prominent member of the Masonic fraternity, and shortly after his illness was chosen lecturer of the state lodge. He was also a member of the I. O. O. F., and I. O. G. T..  At the time of his death he was director of our public schools and one of the village officers, and was always prominent in Sunday school work period he will be missed-sadly missed in all of these various institutions, and his vacant chair in all the meetings of the societies named will be a sad reminder of the noble hearted, whole sold man who once occupied them. He leaves a wife, a son and daughter (both married), and numerous friends who deeply mourn what seems to us erring mortals and untimely death. But, in the language of Longfellow-

Let us be patient!  These severe afflictions
  Not from the ground arise,
But oftentimes celestial benedictions
  Assume this dark disguise. 

We see but dimly through the mists and vapors;
  Amid these earthly damps
What seem to us but sad, funereal tapers
  May be heaven’s distant lamps. 

There is no Death!  What seems so is transition;
  This life of mortal breath
Is but a suburb of the life elysian,
  Whose portal we call Death. 

The funeral ceremonies were held at the Congregational Church last Monday morning, at 10:00, the different places of business being closed from that time until noon. A procession, composed of the Masonic and odd fellows lodges, a portion of the congregational Sunday school, in which he was a teacher in choirmaster, and many citizens dash numbering in all about 200 persons dash follow the remains and mourners from the house to the church, where the services were conducted with Masonic honors.  Revs E. T. Branch and B.S. Pratt Delivered appropriate and affecting discourses. The services and ceremonies were very impressive, and were attended by over 500 people, there being many who could not gain admission to the church. The chair which he formerly occupied in the choir was draped in mourning, and his Sunday school class decorated his coffin with wreaths, which facts forcibly illustrated the high regard in which he was held by his associates in that quarter period.