OBITUARY

W. M. McMillan

William Meade McMillan, pioneer resident of Stafford, passed away at his home in Stafford at 11:25 o'clock Tuesday morning, Dec. 7, following an illness of three days.

He was the ninth of 12 children of Johnson and Martha Jane McMillan. He was born in Harrison county, Ohio Sept. 18, 1867, and at the time of his death was aged 76 years, 2 months and 19 days.

The family moved from Ohio to Missouri when the deceased was five years of age and remained there until 1876 when they came to Hutchinson, Kansas. The McMillan family came to Stafford county in 1877 and located on a homestead southwest of what is now Stafford. At the time Stafford consisted of a few sod houses and small dwellings. The family came here in covered wagons.

Mr. McMillan spent his early life in the Leesburg community and attended school at North Star.

He was united in marriage to Margaret T. Blackburn, April 27, 1897 in Stafford. To this union were born Meade S., Duane B. and Paulina T., who passed away Oct. 12, 1918. His wife also preceeded him in death, passing away Aug. 20, 1934.

For more than 66 years Mr. McMillan has lived in this community. He was immediately associated with the development of the raw prairie land into the fine farm lands so common today. In his young manhood he homesteaded a quarter section of sandy land. By careful management and unusual foresight he gradually accumulated more land until he became one of the largest land owners in this section. He was firm in his convictions, possessed a rugged honesty and gave generously to those less fortunate than he.

In 1908 he and his wife retired from the farm to Stafford, purchasing the Fred Larabee home. Later he constructed the fine modern house that has been his home for many years. He served as mayor of Stafford for four years and held many other places of responsibility in the community.

He is survived by his sons, Meade and Duane, their wives, two granchildren, Marvin and Saundra Sue, and three brothers, Elmer, Denver, Colo.; Henry, St. John; Hayes, Stafford.

Mr. McMillan was converted in his young manhood at Prairie Chapel, uniting with the United Brethern church. After moving to Stafford he joined the Christian Church and was a faithful attendant for many years.

The funeral services are being held this afternoon at the Peacock & Soice chapel, with Rev. Carl Packard in charge. Burial will be in the Stafford Cemetery.

'The Stafford Courier'
December 9, 1943