John T. Milburn (1858-after 1910)

MILBURN

Posted By: Karon Velau (email)
Date: 10/3/2022 at 09:03:56

John T. Milburn
(born January 2, 1858, died after 1910)

John T. Milburn is now living a retired life in Manson. Through many years he was an active factor in industrial circles, and his earnest labor and capable management have brought to him the success which now enables him to put aside business cares. He is a Manxman, his birth having occurred in Douglass, on the beautiful Isle of Man, on the 2d of January, 1858, his parents being Philip and Margaret (Hudghen) Milburn, both of whom were Manx people, born on the Isle of Man. The father was a ship carpenter and was also proprietor of the hotels. Black Lion and Carpenters Arms. Both parents remained on their native isle until called to their final rest. The mother died in 1860, when our subject was only two years old, but the father survived until 1897. Mr. Milburn, of this review, has one brother, James Brighton, who is married and resides in St. Louis, Missouri. In the common schools of his native isle John T. Milburn pursued his education until twelve years of age, when he came to America with his cousin and a party of
friends, a location being made in Dodgeville, Wisconsin. Mr. Milburn worked upon a farm belonging to his uncle for five years and
then learned the blacksmith's trade, which he followed continuously until his retirement from business life in the summer of 1901.
He became an expert workman, thoroughly mastering the business in every department, and secured a liberal patronage which continually increased, bringing to him gratifying success.
He was married in Wisconsin and after residing there for a number of years removed to Illinois, conducting a blacksmith shop at different times in Pelican, Terrible, Coray City Mines, and Lynwood Springs, Colorado. He was thus engaged for about three years and then returned to Dodge City, Wisconsin, where he remained for about the same length of time, after which he came to Manson, where he purchased a smithy. Soon afterward he returned to the Badger state for a short visit and then again came to Manson, conducting his shop at this place until with a comfortable competence gained from his labors he retired to private life. On the 13th of May. 1891, Mr. Milburn was united in marriage to Mrs. Margaret Hudghen, a widow, the wedding being celebrated at Freeport, Illinois, forty miles from Dodgeville, Wisconsin. The lady was born, at Laxey, on the Isle of Man, August 14, 1827. Her parents were also Manx people and followed farming. After her first marriage Mrs. Milburn came with her husband to America and they took up their abode in Wisconsin in 1853, living in a log cabin in the usual manner of frontier settlers. Mr. Hudghen died in that state April 2, 1882. The only child of this marriage, a son, died in early youth. Mrs. Milbnrn has one brother living, John Cowley, who is a retired farmer of Wisconsin.
Our subject and his wife have a pleasant home in Manson, and in addition to this property he owns two farms in Wilkins County, Minnesota, comprising three hundred and twenty acres of rich land. He also has served as city councilman for six years. He is a Mason, belonging to Morning Light Lodge, No. 384, F. & A. M., while his wife belongs to the order of the Eastern Star. While in Silver Plume, Colorado, in 1882, he became connected with the Knights of Pythias fraternity, of which he has been a prominent member, and is now a member of Manson Lodge, No. 95. K. P.. in which he has twice served as representative to the grand lodge. His wife belongs to the Congregational church, and both are highly esteemed people well known in Manson, where the hospitality of the best families is freely extended to them. [Source – Biographical Record of Calhoun County, Iowa, by S.J. Clarke, 1902, p.369] [John and Margaret Milburn were living in Manson, Iowa in the 1910 census (John age 53, Margaret age 84)] Iowa death records show that Margaret Milburn died July 9 1912, born Aug 14, 1827, buried in Dodgeville, WI., father – John Cowley]