James A.D. Milne

MILNE, HANSEL, WHITNABIE, OTT, KLOTZ, HUBBARD

Posted By: Sharyl Ferrall (email)
Date: 2/3/2008 at 02:29:27

History of Fredericksburg and Vicinity, by Dr. Pitts

"By the fireside they sat and retold the story of bygone days, and their hearts were glad."
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James Alexander Duncan Milne, was born in Cattarangus county, New York, August 27, 1850. He was a son of Alexander and Patience Jamima Milne, and left New York in 1863 for Clayton county, Iowa. The 16th day of February, 1873, he married Sarah Elizabeth Hansel, daughter of John and Mary Maria Hansel. They came to Fredericksburg township in March, 1875, locating on a farm of 160 acres, on section 11-94-11. They have five children: Patience Maria, born January 25,1874, in Clayton county; Hattie, born in Fredericksburg township, July 13, 1879; Jessie, born March 24, 1881; Minnie, born October 12, 1884, and Alexander, the onIy boy in the family. Patience married Will Whitnabie, they live on the farm once owned by Samuel Steadman. Jessie married Edwin Ott, they now live on the Curnell farm, which we believe they own. Hattie married Wiliiam Klotz; Minnie married Warren Hubbard. Mr. and Mrs. Milne are members of the German Baptist church. They own 160 acres of land but do not live on it as Mr. Milne has an implement business in Fredericksburg.

~about the author of this biography:
W.S. Pitts, MD was a physician and surgeon in Fredericksburg from 1865 until he retired & moved to Wright county in October 1906. Dr. Pitts was well-known around the United States for writing the song and music: "The Little Brown Church in the Vale". Dr. Pitts died in Brooklyn on September 25, 1918 at the age of 88. His reminiscent biographies of Fredericksburg (Chickasaw county) area settlers were published in various issues of the 'Fredericksburg News' throughout 1906.