Philo, son of Jason Millard & Maria Munger, was born about 1815 in New York. Philo’s mother, Maria Munger, was the daughter of Elnathan “Nathan” Munger, a millwright that came from Ludlow, Massachusetts and established a grist mill in Copenhagen Village, Lewis County, New York. Nathan’s mill was directly below the saw-mill in Copenhagen and became known as “Munger Mills.” (History of Lewis County, New York; with Illustrations and Biographical Sketches 1805-1883, Franklin B. Hough) Munger Mills is the likely birthplace of Philo.
Philo (age about 22) married Alice Caroline Wilson (age 16-17) in 1837 or 1838 in Morristown, St. Lawrence County, New York.
After their marriage Philo & Alice apparently first lived with Philo’s parents for a time. There also appears to have developed some kind of friction in that household. Alice’s mother, Caroline Sarah Wilson, details some of the contemporaneous events in a letter dated 30 September 1838: “Alice came to see us on the first of June and has been with us ever since until last Thursday. After she left Millards, Philo and his father had a quarrel and the old man used him and Alice very ill by all accounts. Philo says that he has let his Father have his wages for four years and he worked for him four months last spring and he can’t get one cent of him. He has work about one month in harvest for Mr. Inghram and the rest of the time he has been with us, trying to get something from his father but I think he will have to give it up. It has turned out as I expected it would. Philo is now working for Mr. Hooker driving his team draying lead from Black Lake. He [Philo] has hired part of Mrs. Smiths house in Morristown and they went there to live last week.”
Another letter, apparently dated 11 November 1838, from Alice’s aunt (Charlotte W. Griffiths) to Osman Wilson (Alice’s brother), gives some other interesting history: “Philo and Alice appear to enjoy themselves very much. They live in the village now and are well respected. He is very industrious, but your Mother [Caroline Sarah Wilson] has done them great injustice by talking about them as she has for I think they both have been misused by their friends.”
Philo and Alice’s first child, Homer R., was born in early 1839 in Morristown. In 1840, the family moved to Earlville, LaSalle County, Illinois. There Philo and Alice had 2 more children, Mary Alice and Wilson W. By 1848, the family moved to Racine, Wisconsin. This is where their last 2 children, Herman and Wilburn, were born. The family lived at Horlick’s Mill, where Philo had a sawmill.
Alice died in 1859 in Racine, about the age of 38. She left 4 living children between the ages of 8 – 20. The 1860 Racine census found widower Philo, along with his 3 sons living with housekeeper Sarah E. Leonard, her baby, George Leonard, and her brother, George Atwood. Sarah Esther Leonard and George Atwood were first-cousins to Philo’s brother-in-law, Darius J. Morey. On 31 August 1860, Philo (age 45) married Sarah Esther Leonard (age 26), daughter of Daniel & Sarah Atwood. Sarah had 5 daughters (ages 4 – 11) from her previous marriage who were living with other families. Only Emma “Amy” appears to have later lived with Philo and Sarah. Philo and Sarah had 3 children, Orrin, Lewis and Mary.
In 1865, Philo & Sarah and their younger children moved to Clay Banks, Door County, Wisconsin. Philo was among the early settlers of the town. From the beginning, Philo was involved in town government. In 1866-1867, he was elected Assessor for the town. From 1868 - 1870, he was elected as a Justice of the Peace. In 1872, he was named Chairman of the Town Board. In 1873-1875, he was elected as Town Treasurer. He also served as Overseer of Highways, Dist. No 1 at times.
His work as Town Treasurer came under some scrutiny. It was reported in the Door County Advocate on 15 June 1876: “Mr. P. B. Millard, ex-treasurer of the town of Clay Banks, was on Saturday last arrested on a warrant sworn out by John Gum, of that town, charging Mr. M. with buying up town orders at less than their face while holding the office of treasurer. The case bro’t before Justice Dresser, and sworn away and carried before Justice Scudder, before whom an examination will take place to-day, Wednesday.” Philo, however, was exonerated of any wrongdoing. The local newspaper reported: “The suit of the Supervisors of Clay Banks against P. B. Millard and his bonds, was tried before Justice Hamilton on Monday and Tuesday. Many records were overhauled and many witnesses were examined, but the Justice found in the defendant no fault at all, and rendered his verdict accordingly, with costs taxed to the plaintiffs.” (Door County Advocate, 7 September 1876)
In 1878 another issue arose: “There was a good sized ‘tempest in a tea pot’ over in the town of Clay Banks last Friday. Dep. Sheriff Hayley armed with the requisite execution, went over there and levied on most of P. B. Millard’s personal property, consisting of all the live stock, farming utensils and grain. This peremptory step on the part of the officer was occasioned by virtue of a judgment which the county held against Millard for a “shortage of two or three hundred dollars whilst he was town treasurer of Clay Banks which he had failed to account for in his settlement with the County Treasurer, whereupon a suit followed resulting in a judgment in favor of the latter….” (Door County Advocate, 22 August 1878) The proceeds from the sale of this seized property was disappointing. “Deputy Sheriff Hayley last Monday sold several head of cattle and a threshing machine owned by P. B. Millard of Clay Banks, on an execution which the county holds. The property did not more than half pay costs.” (Door County Advocate, 12 September 1878) Apparently this whole issue began because of a misunderstanding between the parties: “Mr. Hayley has succeeded in obtaining the full amount due the county from P. B. Millard of Clay Banks. It would appear that the whole difficulty originated in a misunderstanding, and that Mr. Millard has been ready to settle at any moment when a true statement of the matter had been agreed upon.” (Door County Advocate, 3 October 1878)
Philo was actively engaged in farming, and his 40 acre farm seems to have been very productive. In an 1880 article it was described as having “…wheat heads five inches long—well filled; and a good crop of hay. He [Philo] believes in sowing salt on his crops.” (Weekly Expositor Independent, 30 July 1880)
Philo appears to have had far less success as a fisherman: “P. B. Millard has commenced fishing off this point thus early. Last week he set a dozen gill-nets about three miles from shore. What success he has met with so far has not yet been ascertained.” (Door County Advocate, 23 February 1882) After several weeks of effort apparently Philo was “…meeting with poor success, the catch this far having been very light and consists mainly of trout.” (Door County Advocate, 2 March 1882)
In the early 1880s, Philo’s health was deteriorating. A local newspaper related that he “…has been a terrible sufferer from rheumatism, which had completely shattered his constitution and powers of endurance…” (Weekly Expositor Independent, 1884) In August 1884, Philo’s son, Orrin, returned home from his carpenter work in Bay View, Wisconsin to help his father on the farm. Even with Orrin’s help, the farm worked proved too much for Philo leading to his death on 16 September 1884. His obituary observes: “…and it is thought that during the last few weeks he overworked himself in his grain fields, so much so, that on Sunday last he complained of feeling unwell, and continued growing worse from that time on, until relieved from his sufferings...” (Weekly Expositor Independent, 19 September 1884) He was buried on 18 September 1884. His funeral “… took place last Thursday afternoon, the remains being buried in the cemetery at Clay Banks, Rev. D. Lewis presiding. A large concourse of friends paid the last tribute of the departed dead.” (Door County Advocate, 25 September 1884)
Philo will always be remembered as “… an industrious and hard-working man, and by his uniform kindness of heart, had won for himself the love and respect of all who knew him. “ (Weekly Expositor Independent, 19 September 1884)
Bio by K. O’Brien
Philo (age about 22) married Alice Caroline Wilson (age 16-17) in 1837 or 1838 in Morristown, St. Lawrence County, New York.
After their marriage Philo & Alice apparently first lived with Philo’s parents for a time. There also appears to have developed some kind of friction in that household. Alice’s mother, Caroline Sarah Wilson, details some of the contemporaneous events in a letter dated 30 September 1838: “Alice came to see us on the first of June and has been with us ever since until last Thursday. After she left Millards, Philo and his father had a quarrel and the old man used him and Alice very ill by all accounts. Philo says that he has let his Father have his wages for four years and he worked for him four months last spring and he can’t get one cent of him. He has work about one month in harvest for Mr. Inghram and the rest of the time he has been with us, trying to get something from his father but I think he will have to give it up. It has turned out as I expected it would. Philo is now working for Mr. Hooker driving his team draying lead from Black Lake. He [Philo] has hired part of Mrs. Smiths house in Morristown and they went there to live last week.”
Another letter, apparently dated 11 November 1838, from Alice’s aunt (Charlotte W. Griffiths) to Osman Wilson (Alice’s brother), gives some other interesting history: “Philo and Alice appear to enjoy themselves very much. They live in the village now and are well respected. He is very industrious, but your Mother [Caroline Sarah Wilson] has done them great injustice by talking about them as she has for I think they both have been misused by their friends.”
Philo and Alice’s first child, Homer R., was born in early 1839 in Morristown. In 1840, the family moved to Earlville, LaSalle County, Illinois. There Philo and Alice had 2 more children, Mary Alice and Wilson W. By 1848, the family moved to Racine, Wisconsin. This is where their last 2 children, Herman and Wilburn, were born. The family lived at Horlick’s Mill, where Philo had a sawmill.
Alice died in 1859 in Racine, about the age of 38. She left 4 living children between the ages of 8 – 20. The 1860 Racine census found widower Philo, along with his 3 sons living with housekeeper Sarah E. Leonard, her baby, George Leonard, and her brother, George Atwood. Sarah Esther Leonard and George Atwood were first-cousins to Philo’s brother-in-law, Darius J. Morey. On 31 August 1860, Philo (age 45) married Sarah Esther Leonard (age 26), daughter of Daniel & Sarah Atwood. Sarah had 5 daughters (ages 4 – 11) from her previous marriage who were living with other families. Only Emma “Amy” appears to have later lived with Philo and Sarah. Philo and Sarah had 3 children, Orrin, Lewis and Mary.
In 1865, Philo & Sarah and their younger children moved to Clay Banks, Door County, Wisconsin. Philo was among the early settlers of the town. From the beginning, Philo was involved in town government. In 1866-1867, he was elected Assessor for the town. From 1868 - 1870, he was elected as a Justice of the Peace. In 1872, he was named Chairman of the Town Board. In 1873-1875, he was elected as Town Treasurer. He also served as Overseer of Highways, Dist. No 1 at times.
His work as Town Treasurer came under some scrutiny. It was reported in the Door County Advocate on 15 June 1876: “Mr. P. B. Millard, ex-treasurer of the town of Clay Banks, was on Saturday last arrested on a warrant sworn out by John Gum, of that town, charging Mr. M. with buying up town orders at less than their face while holding the office of treasurer. The case bro’t before Justice Dresser, and sworn away and carried before Justice Scudder, before whom an examination will take place to-day, Wednesday.” Philo, however, was exonerated of any wrongdoing. The local newspaper reported: “The suit of the Supervisors of Clay Banks against P. B. Millard and his bonds, was tried before Justice Hamilton on Monday and Tuesday. Many records were overhauled and many witnesses were examined, but the Justice found in the defendant no fault at all, and rendered his verdict accordingly, with costs taxed to the plaintiffs.” (Door County Advocate, 7 September 1876)
In 1878 another issue arose: “There was a good sized ‘tempest in a tea pot’ over in the town of Clay Banks last Friday. Dep. Sheriff Hayley armed with the requisite execution, went over there and levied on most of P. B. Millard’s personal property, consisting of all the live stock, farming utensils and grain. This peremptory step on the part of the officer was occasioned by virtue of a judgment which the county held against Millard for a “shortage of two or three hundred dollars whilst he was town treasurer of Clay Banks which he had failed to account for in his settlement with the County Treasurer, whereupon a suit followed resulting in a judgment in favor of the latter….” (Door County Advocate, 22 August 1878) The proceeds from the sale of this seized property was disappointing. “Deputy Sheriff Hayley last Monday sold several head of cattle and a threshing machine owned by P. B. Millard of Clay Banks, on an execution which the county holds. The property did not more than half pay costs.” (Door County Advocate, 12 September 1878) Apparently this whole issue began because of a misunderstanding between the parties: “Mr. Hayley has succeeded in obtaining the full amount due the county from P. B. Millard of Clay Banks. It would appear that the whole difficulty originated in a misunderstanding, and that Mr. Millard has been ready to settle at any moment when a true statement of the matter had been agreed upon.” (Door County Advocate, 3 October 1878)
Philo was actively engaged in farming, and his 40 acre farm seems to have been very productive. In an 1880 article it was described as having “…wheat heads five inches long—well filled; and a good crop of hay. He [Philo] believes in sowing salt on his crops.” (Weekly Expositor Independent, 30 July 1880)
Philo appears to have had far less success as a fisherman: “P. B. Millard has commenced fishing off this point thus early. Last week he set a dozen gill-nets about three miles from shore. What success he has met with so far has not yet been ascertained.” (Door County Advocate, 23 February 1882) After several weeks of effort apparently Philo was “…meeting with poor success, the catch this far having been very light and consists mainly of trout.” (Door County Advocate, 2 March 1882)
In the early 1880s, Philo’s health was deteriorating. A local newspaper related that he “…has been a terrible sufferer from rheumatism, which had completely shattered his constitution and powers of endurance…” (Weekly Expositor Independent, 1884) In August 1884, Philo’s son, Orrin, returned home from his carpenter work in Bay View, Wisconsin to help his father on the farm. Even with Orrin’s help, the farm worked proved too much for Philo leading to his death on 16 September 1884. His obituary observes: “…and it is thought that during the last few weeks he overworked himself in his grain fields, so much so, that on Sunday last he complained of feeling unwell, and continued growing worse from that time on, until relieved from his sufferings...” (Weekly Expositor Independent, 19 September 1884) He was buried on 18 September 1884. His funeral “… took place last Thursday afternoon, the remains being buried in the cemetery at Clay Banks, Rev. D. Lewis presiding. A large concourse of friends paid the last tribute of the departed dead.” (Door County Advocate, 25 September 1884)
Philo will always be remembered as “… an industrious and hard-working man, and by his uniform kindness of heart, had won for himself the love and respect of all who knew him. “ (Weekly Expositor Independent, 19 September 1884)
Bio by K. O’Brien
Philo, son of Jason Millard & Maria Munger, was born about 1815 in New York. Philo’s mother, Maria Munger, was the daughter of Elnathan “Nathan” Munger, a millwright that came from Ludlow, Massachusetts and established a grist mill in Copenhagen Village, Lewis County, New York. Nathan’s mill was directly below the saw-mill in Copenhagen and became known as “Munger Mills.” (History of Lewis County, New York; with Illustrations and Biographical Sketches 1805-1883, Franklin B. Hough) Munger Mills is the likely birthplace of Philo.
Philo (age about 22) married Alice Caroline Wilson (age 16-17) in 1837 or 1838 in Morristown, St. Lawrence County, New York.
After their marriage Philo & Alice apparently first lived with Philo’s parents for a time. There also appears to have developed some kind of friction in that household. Alice’s mother, Caroline Sarah Wilson, details some of the contemporaneous events in a letter dated 30 September 1838: “Alice came to see us on the first of June and has been with us ever since until last Thursday. After she left Millards, Philo and his father had a quarrel and the old man used him and Alice very ill by all accounts. Philo says that he has let his Father have his wages for four years and he worked for him four months last spring and he can’t get one cent of him. He has work about one month in harvest for Mr. Inghram and the rest of the time he has been with us, trying to get something from his father but I think he will have to give it up. It has turned out as I expected it would. Philo is now working for Mr. Hooker driving his team draying lead from Black Lake. He [Philo] has hired part of Mrs. Smiths house in Morristown and they went there to live last week.”
Another letter, apparently dated 11 November 1838, from Alice’s aunt (Charlotte W. Griffiths) to Osman Wilson (Alice’s brother), gives some other interesting history: “Philo and Alice appear to enjoy themselves very much. They live in the village now and are well respected. He is very industrious, but your Mother [Caroline Sarah Wilson] has done them great injustice by talking about them as she has for I think they both have been misused by their friends.”
Philo and Alice’s first child, Homer R., was born in early 1839 in Morristown. In 1840, the family moved to Earlville, LaSalle County, Illinois. There Philo and Alice had 2 more children, Mary Alice and Wilson W. By 1848, the family moved to Racine, Wisconsin. This is where their last 2 children, Herman and Wilburn, were born. The family lived at Horlick’s Mill, where Philo had a sawmill.
Alice died in 1859 in Racine, about the age of 38. She left 4 living children between the ages of 8 – 20. The 1860 Racine census found widower Philo, along with his 3 sons living with housekeeper Sarah E. Leonard, her baby, George Leonard, and her brother, George Atwood. Sarah Esther Leonard and George Atwood were first-cousins to Philo’s brother-in-law, Darius J. Morey. On 31 August 1860, Philo (age 45) married Sarah Esther Leonard (age 26), daughter of Daniel & Sarah Atwood. Sarah had 5 daughters (ages 4 – 11) from her previous marriage who were living with other families. Only Emma “Amy” appears to have later lived with Philo and Sarah. Philo and Sarah had 3 children, Orrin, Lewis and Mary.
In 1865, Philo & Sarah and their younger children moved to Clay Banks, Door County, Wisconsin. Philo was among the early settlers of the town. From the beginning, Philo was involved in town government. In 1866-1867, he was elected Assessor for the town. From 1868 - 1870, he was elected as a Justice of the Peace. In 1872, he was named Chairman of the Town Board. In 1873-1875, he was elected as Town Treasurer. He also served as Overseer of Highways, Dist. No 1 at times.
His work as Town Treasurer came under some scrutiny. It was reported in the Door County Advocate on 15 June 1876: “Mr. P. B. Millard, ex-treasurer of the town of Clay Banks, was on Saturday last arrested on a warrant sworn out by John Gum, of that town, charging Mr. M. with buying up town orders at less than their face while holding the office of treasurer. The case bro’t before Justice Dresser, and sworn away and carried before Justice Scudder, before whom an examination will take place to-day, Wednesday.” Philo, however, was exonerated of any wrongdoing. The local newspaper reported: “The suit of the Supervisors of Clay Banks against P. B. Millard and his bonds, was tried before Justice Hamilton on Monday and Tuesday. Many records were overhauled and many witnesses were examined, but the Justice found in the defendant no fault at all, and rendered his verdict accordingly, with costs taxed to the plaintiffs.” (Door County Advocate, 7 September 1876)
In 1878 another issue arose: “There was a good sized ‘tempest in a tea pot’ over in the town of Clay Banks last Friday. Dep. Sheriff Hayley armed with the requisite execution, went over there and levied on most of P. B. Millard’s personal property, consisting of all the live stock, farming utensils and grain. This peremptory step on the part of the officer was occasioned by virtue of a judgment which the county held against Millard for a “shortage of two or three hundred dollars whilst he was town treasurer of Clay Banks which he had failed to account for in his settlement with the County Treasurer, whereupon a suit followed resulting in a judgment in favor of the latter….” (Door County Advocate, 22 August 1878) The proceeds from the sale of this seized property was disappointing. “Deputy Sheriff Hayley last Monday sold several head of cattle and a threshing machine owned by P. B. Millard of Clay Banks, on an execution which the county holds. The property did not more than half pay costs.” (Door County Advocate, 12 September 1878) Apparently this whole issue began because of a misunderstanding between the parties: “Mr. Hayley has succeeded in obtaining the full amount due the county from P. B. Millard of Clay Banks. It would appear that the whole difficulty originated in a misunderstanding, and that Mr. Millard has been ready to settle at any moment when a true statement of the matter had been agreed upon.” (Door County Advocate, 3 October 1878)
Philo was actively engaged in farming, and his 40 acre farm seems to have been very productive. In an 1880 article it was described as having “…wheat heads five inches long—well filled; and a good crop of hay. He [Philo] believes in sowing salt on his crops.” (Weekly Expositor Independent, 30 July 1880)
Philo appears to have had far less success as a fisherman: “P. B. Millard has commenced fishing off this point thus early. Last week he set a dozen gill-nets about three miles from shore. What success he has met with so far has not yet been ascertained.” (Door County Advocate, 23 February 1882) After several weeks of effort apparently Philo was “…meeting with poor success, the catch this far having been very light and consists mainly of trout.” (Door County Advocate, 2 March 1882)
In the early 1880s, Philo’s health was deteriorating. A local newspaper related that he “…has been a terrible sufferer from rheumatism, which had completely shattered his constitution and powers of endurance…” (Weekly Expositor Independent, 1884) In August 1884, Philo’s son, Orrin, returned home from his carpenter work in Bay View, Wisconsin to help his father on the farm. Even with Orrin’s help, the farm worked proved too much for Philo leading to his death on 16 September 1884. His obituary observes: “…and it is thought that during the last few weeks he overworked himself in his grain fields, so much so, that on Sunday last he complained of feeling unwell, and continued growing worse from that time on, until relieved from his sufferings...” (Weekly Expositor Independent, 19 September 1884) He was buried on 18 September 1884. His funeral “… took place last Thursday afternoon, the remains being buried in the cemetery at Clay Banks, Rev. D. Lewis presiding. A large concourse of friends paid the last tribute of the departed dead.” (Door County Advocate, 25 September 1884)
Philo will always be remembered as “… an industrious and hard-working man, and by his uniform kindness of heart, had won for himself the love and respect of all who knew him. “ (Weekly Expositor Independent, 19 September 1884)
Bio by K. O’Brien
Philo (age about 22) married Alice Caroline Wilson (age 16-17) in 1837 or 1838 in Morristown, St. Lawrence County, New York.
After their marriage Philo & Alice apparently first lived with Philo’s parents for a time. There also appears to have developed some kind of friction in that household. Alice’s mother, Caroline Sarah Wilson, details some of the contemporaneous events in a letter dated 30 September 1838: “Alice came to see us on the first of June and has been with us ever since until last Thursday. After she left Millards, Philo and his father had a quarrel and the old man used him and Alice very ill by all accounts. Philo says that he has let his Father have his wages for four years and he worked for him four months last spring and he can’t get one cent of him. He has work about one month in harvest for Mr. Inghram and the rest of the time he has been with us, trying to get something from his father but I think he will have to give it up. It has turned out as I expected it would. Philo is now working for Mr. Hooker driving his team draying lead from Black Lake. He [Philo] has hired part of Mrs. Smiths house in Morristown and they went there to live last week.”
Another letter, apparently dated 11 November 1838, from Alice’s aunt (Charlotte W. Griffiths) to Osman Wilson (Alice’s brother), gives some other interesting history: “Philo and Alice appear to enjoy themselves very much. They live in the village now and are well respected. He is very industrious, but your Mother [Caroline Sarah Wilson] has done them great injustice by talking about them as she has for I think they both have been misused by their friends.”
Philo and Alice’s first child, Homer R., was born in early 1839 in Morristown. In 1840, the family moved to Earlville, LaSalle County, Illinois. There Philo and Alice had 2 more children, Mary Alice and Wilson W. By 1848, the family moved to Racine, Wisconsin. This is where their last 2 children, Herman and Wilburn, were born. The family lived at Horlick’s Mill, where Philo had a sawmill.
Alice died in 1859 in Racine, about the age of 38. She left 4 living children between the ages of 8 – 20. The 1860 Racine census found widower Philo, along with his 3 sons living with housekeeper Sarah E. Leonard, her baby, George Leonard, and her brother, George Atwood. Sarah Esther Leonard and George Atwood were first-cousins to Philo’s brother-in-law, Darius J. Morey. On 31 August 1860, Philo (age 45) married Sarah Esther Leonard (age 26), daughter of Daniel & Sarah Atwood. Sarah had 5 daughters (ages 4 – 11) from her previous marriage who were living with other families. Only Emma “Amy” appears to have later lived with Philo and Sarah. Philo and Sarah had 3 children, Orrin, Lewis and Mary.
In 1865, Philo & Sarah and their younger children moved to Clay Banks, Door County, Wisconsin. Philo was among the early settlers of the town. From the beginning, Philo was involved in town government. In 1866-1867, he was elected Assessor for the town. From 1868 - 1870, he was elected as a Justice of the Peace. In 1872, he was named Chairman of the Town Board. In 1873-1875, he was elected as Town Treasurer. He also served as Overseer of Highways, Dist. No 1 at times.
His work as Town Treasurer came under some scrutiny. It was reported in the Door County Advocate on 15 June 1876: “Mr. P. B. Millard, ex-treasurer of the town of Clay Banks, was on Saturday last arrested on a warrant sworn out by John Gum, of that town, charging Mr. M. with buying up town orders at less than their face while holding the office of treasurer. The case bro’t before Justice Dresser, and sworn away and carried before Justice Scudder, before whom an examination will take place to-day, Wednesday.” Philo, however, was exonerated of any wrongdoing. The local newspaper reported: “The suit of the Supervisors of Clay Banks against P. B. Millard and his bonds, was tried before Justice Hamilton on Monday and Tuesday. Many records were overhauled and many witnesses were examined, but the Justice found in the defendant no fault at all, and rendered his verdict accordingly, with costs taxed to the plaintiffs.” (Door County Advocate, 7 September 1876)
In 1878 another issue arose: “There was a good sized ‘tempest in a tea pot’ over in the town of Clay Banks last Friday. Dep. Sheriff Hayley armed with the requisite execution, went over there and levied on most of P. B. Millard’s personal property, consisting of all the live stock, farming utensils and grain. This peremptory step on the part of the officer was occasioned by virtue of a judgment which the county held against Millard for a “shortage of two or three hundred dollars whilst he was town treasurer of Clay Banks which he had failed to account for in his settlement with the County Treasurer, whereupon a suit followed resulting in a judgment in favor of the latter….” (Door County Advocate, 22 August 1878) The proceeds from the sale of this seized property was disappointing. “Deputy Sheriff Hayley last Monday sold several head of cattle and a threshing machine owned by P. B. Millard of Clay Banks, on an execution which the county holds. The property did not more than half pay costs.” (Door County Advocate, 12 September 1878) Apparently this whole issue began because of a misunderstanding between the parties: “Mr. Hayley has succeeded in obtaining the full amount due the county from P. B. Millard of Clay Banks. It would appear that the whole difficulty originated in a misunderstanding, and that Mr. Millard has been ready to settle at any moment when a true statement of the matter had been agreed upon.” (Door County Advocate, 3 October 1878)
Philo was actively engaged in farming, and his 40 acre farm seems to have been very productive. In an 1880 article it was described as having “…wheat heads five inches long—well filled; and a good crop of hay. He [Philo] believes in sowing salt on his crops.” (Weekly Expositor Independent, 30 July 1880)
Philo appears to have had far less success as a fisherman: “P. B. Millard has commenced fishing off this point thus early. Last week he set a dozen gill-nets about three miles from shore. What success he has met with so far has not yet been ascertained.” (Door County Advocate, 23 February 1882) After several weeks of effort apparently Philo was “…meeting with poor success, the catch this far having been very light and consists mainly of trout.” (Door County Advocate, 2 March 1882)
In the early 1880s, Philo’s health was deteriorating. A local newspaper related that he “…has been a terrible sufferer from rheumatism, which had completely shattered his constitution and powers of endurance…” (Weekly Expositor Independent, 1884) In August 1884, Philo’s son, Orrin, returned home from his carpenter work in Bay View, Wisconsin to help his father on the farm. Even with Orrin’s help, the farm worked proved too much for Philo leading to his death on 16 September 1884. His obituary observes: “…and it is thought that during the last few weeks he overworked himself in his grain fields, so much so, that on Sunday last he complained of feeling unwell, and continued growing worse from that time on, until relieved from his sufferings...” (Weekly Expositor Independent, 19 September 1884) He was buried on 18 September 1884. His funeral “… took place last Thursday afternoon, the remains being buried in the cemetery at Clay Banks, Rev. D. Lewis presiding. A large concourse of friends paid the last tribute of the departed dead.” (Door County Advocate, 25 September 1884)
Philo will always be remembered as “… an industrious and hard-working man, and by his uniform kindness of heart, had won for himself the love and respect of all who knew him. “ (Weekly Expositor Independent, 19 September 1884)
Bio by K. O’Brien
