William L. McMillen died 1864

MCMILLEN

Posted By: Cheryl Locher Moonen (email)
Date: 6/1/2016 at 21:03:23

Dubuque Democratic Herald – Sept. 6, 1864

DIED
August 27, 1864, in Anamosa, WILLIAM L., son of Alexander and Mary McMillen, aged 20 years, 4 months and 10 days.

The death of the worthy and intelligent young man desires more than a passing notice. He was born in New York, and came to Anamosa in 1855 or 56. Though young, he soon attracted the notice and won the respect and esteem in the community and for his uniform good character precocity of intellect and quick active perception, by which, and without the aid of instruction, he acquired a most remarkable and compressive knowledge of business matters. In 1859 he attended school at Mount Vernon, and made rapid and unprecedented advancements in his studies, so much so that his health became impaired and he was obliged to leave school. Shortly after he was employed in the Gazette and subsequently in the Eureka printing offices. For the last four years he has had control of the Anamosa post office, which has preserved a flattering record under his management. Some time ago he was seized with diarrhea, which brought, on consumption, after which his days were few.

The attendance at his funeral was general – all came out to pay a funeral tribute to the memory of one who was distinguished alike for his gentleness, his morality, his intellectual endowments, and his strict rectitude truthfulness. A whole community thus united in paying sorrowful homage to the memory of this promising and much loved young man, whose exemplary character and uncommon intellect gave such bright promise of the future. His last words spoken only a moment before he breathed his last – “I am going to my Savior.” - Showed that he had not lived in vain, and certainly should be a delightful consultation to the now childless parents, innocence of guile, his spirit took its flight, and now dwells with Him who gave it among the green fields and pure streams of the Eternal Land.