Samuel H. Millikin

As printed in 1905

DR. SAMUEL H. MILLIKIN.

The subject of this review is a representative of one of the early established families of Butler county, the history of which covers almost a century. The Millikin family needs no introduction to the people of this county, as since 1807 ie>’ have been prominently identified with its growth and progress. The annals of the county record the history of no family more conspicuous or more honorable in the advancement of public thought and action, and none of more diversified interests. They have been represented in all the various lines of human effort, and have always borne and sustained an exalted position in the social, professional and business affairs of the county. It is not the purpose of this volume to give undue prominence to any individual or to extol the merits of the living to the neglect of the dead. The worthy pioneers, 'by whose aggressiveness, self-sacrifice, industry and frugality was rendered possible the high state of advancement which we enjoy today, are worthy of more than a passing notice in the annals of history. This recognition must come through individual families. The Millikin family was established in-Hamilton on the 7th of May, 1807. The founders were Dr. Dan Millikin and his brother Samuel. They came from Washington county, Pennsylvania, and were sons of James and Dolly (McFarland) Millikin. James Millikin was born in County Antrim, Ireland, January 5, 1752, and came to America in 1771. He married Miss Dolly McFarland in Washington county, Pennsylvania, March 1, 1778, she being a native of Massachusetts. They were the parents of nine children, who attained to years of maturity, namely: Daniel, James, John H., Samuel, William S., Robert B., Andrew, Abel and Mary. Five of the family became residents of Hamilton as the years passed and are now buried in Greenwood cemetery.

Samuel Millikin, the fourth son of James and Dolly Millikin, was the paternal grandfather of the subject of this sketch. He was born in Washington county, Pennsylvania, February 28, 1786. He was in his twenty-first year when he accompanied his brother Daniel to Hamilton. He took up his residence in his brother’s family, and for a few years turned his attention to the study of medicine. Later he came to realize that the practice of medicine would not be congenial to his tastes, and he utilized the knowledge acquired in his previous studies in establishing the first regular drug store in Hamilton. His brother

Daniel was the first physician in the town of Hamilton. Samuel Millikin continued in the drug business for several years. On the 28th of September, 1813, he was married to Miss Mary Hunter, a daughter of Joseph Hunter, an early pioneer of Fairfield township. As a result of this union, three children were born, the eldest of whom was Hannah, who became the wife of William Anderson, a prominent merchant in Hamilton at that time; the second born was James H., who became a partner with his brother-in-law, Mr. Anderson, until the death of the latter in 1845. Mrs. Anderson died on the 25th of May, 1834. James Millikin continued in mercantile business for a number of years, subsequently removing with his family to Decatur, Illinois, where he died. John Millikin was the youngest of the family of Samuel and Mary (Hunter) Millikin, and the father of Dr. Samuel H. Millikin of this sketch. He was born in Hamilton on the 24th day of October, 1826. His mother died when he was a small child, 011 the 1 2th of July, 1828, and he was reared as a companion of his father in Hamilton, and later on a farm in Vermilion county, Indiana. On attaining the age of manhood he continued to operate a farm in Indiana for many years. He married Miss Mary C. Snively, a daughter of Samuel Snively, a well-known and prosperous citizen of Butler county. He was descended from pioneer ancestors in Franklin county, Pennsylvania, his father’s family having located there in a very early day. Samuel Snively amassed a fortune in the tanner) business and was considered wealthy at th time of * his death, in 1863. The father Q Dr. Millikin was engaged in various line of business, but after leaving the farnf

Google which he operated successfully for seventeen years he engaged in the milling business, but the fluctuations of war-time prices were disastrous and he sold out his interests, entered the employ of the well-known firm of Long & Allstatter, with whom he was employed as superintendent of agencies for more than twenty years. He was thus employed at the time of his death, on the 28th of August, 1892. He was a man universally esteemed for his sterling integrity and upright life. He was a devoted husband and father, indulgent and generous to his children, devoted to his home and its environments, ever thoughtful of the comfort and happiness of others. He was a man of high moral instincts and broad philanthropy, He had no enemies, but all who knew him were his friends. The memory of John Minikin will long be remembered, even out- side of the family circle. His family comprises four sons and four daughters who attained to years of maturity. The names are, in order of birth: Adda S., wife of S.

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Mrs. Agnes King resides in Richmond, Indiana; Horace is located at Danville, Indiana.

. subject of this sketch was born during the family residence in Vermilion county, Indiana, on the 9th of February,

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After completing an elemental course under Dr. Drake, of Marion, Ohio, a prac-

I1CMdrnt’ He Went into the office ofP Dr.

L. M. Griffis, of Hamilton, as a student for two years, but not being satisfied with his qualifications, though successful in practice he took a thorough course in dentistry and was graduated from the Dental College of Cincinnati in 1881. This was the acme of the Doctors ambition and, with only a temporary respite, he has been in active practice for nearly twenty-five years. For a few years following 1889 Dr. Millikin was in the mercantile business in Hamilton m which he was successful, but he returned to his professional life, determined to continue unless something specially alluring may detract his attention temporarily.

On the 15th of September, 1886, Dr. Millikin was united in marriage with Miss Mary, daughter of John and Elizabeth (Schneider) Schelly. Mrs. Millikin was a lady of culture and refinement, a woman of strong domestic tastes, a over of home, where her energies were centered in the cultivation of those features which render the home sacred and more charming than any other place on earth. She was a devout Christian, holding membership in Zion’s Evangelical "Lutheran church. She died January 14, 1897. r- Millikin is a member of the Presbyterian church, the religious home of his ancestors. He holds meml>ersliip in the Knights of Pythias lodge and the Royal Arcanum, and is also a member of the Ohio State Dental Society. In political views Dr. Millikin is disposed to be liberal, exercising his rights of suffrage independently of party lines. In local political affairs he supports men rather than measures. He has never sought political honors, hence he is free from political debts and can assert his independence with, impunity. The Doctor is a cheery, companionable gentleman, social in his nature, liberal in his views, and generous toward afflicted humanity. He has made a success of life and enjoys the confidence of all with whom he comes in contact. He is a worthy representative of the distinguished family whose name he perpetuates. Dr. and Mrs. Millikin became the parents of two sons, Arnold Schelly and Eugene Donald, both of whom are at home attending school.

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As printed in Centennial History of Butler County, Ohio (1905). See the original pages. Wording is the original; obvious scanning errors have been corrected, and a few may remain.