McMillan, John 1838-1821

MCMILLAN, WAGGONER

Posted By: Marilyn Holmes (email)
Date: 4/18/2013 at 09:26:38

The Grinnell (IA) Herald
April 26, 1921

THE PASSING OF JOHN MCMILLAN

John McMillan, who lived in Poweshiek county for more than half a century, recently passed away at Van Nuys, Los Angeles county, California. He had been very ill for five weeks and his death was expected. His decease was due to hardening of the arteries, though there were other complications. When the end came, he was in his home, surrounded by his loved ones. It was a beautiful sight. A heavenly light was diffused over his face and shone forth from his eyes. We believe that he saw a vision of "the things that shall be hereafter." We are convinced that his eyes beheld the Heavenly Boatman a second time. The poem that follows was written by our departed brother shortly after his recovery from the amputation of his left limb in a hospital in Minneapolis in 1887. His life was despaired of. He himself was expecting the end. But his hour had not come. He was granted a beautiful vision of the Savior. His Master told him that He had work for him to do on the earth, and to the earth he must return for many years. This wonderful vision was fulfilled to the letter.

The deceased is survived by his widow, Mrs. Caroline A. McMillan, his son, Putnam Dana McMillan, his son's wife, three grandchildren and two brothers, Dr. A.L. McMillan of Hanover, Mass., and Wm. McMillan, of Fallbrook, California.

Mr. McMillan was 82 years of age. He was born September 27, 1838, in Danville, Caledonia county, Vermont.

When a lad of 15 years he accepted Christ as his Savior and often expressed of himself as ready and willing at anytime to answer the Master's call.

In 1878 he was married to Mrs. Caroline A. Waggoner, to which union was born one son, Putnam Dana.

He served his country faithfully in the Civil war, and was a true and loyal soldier of the Cross. He bore his sufferings with the greatest Christian fortitude. He was a man of true nobility of character. He was a kind brother, a loving father, and a devoted and affectionate husband. The strong love that he lavished upon his family was returned with a love equally strong and tender. His was a victorious life and a triumphant death.

Funeral services were conducted at "The Little Church of the Flowers," Forest Lawn Cemetery, Glendale, California, Wednesday afternoon, April 6th at 2 o'clock. The service was in charge of the Rev. C.V. Cowan of the Methodist ministry, a former pastor of the deceased. Rev. Warren Elsing, pastor of the Presbyterian church of Van Nuys, Rev. H.H Amstutz, pastor of the Van Nuys Missionary church, and Rev. N.J. Witmer of Van Nuys also took part in the service.

At the time of his death Mr. McMillan was a member of the Congregational Church of Chester Center, Iowa. He is mourned by a host of loyal friends, not only by his many true friends of long standing in the great state of Iowa, but also by many warm friends in the Golden State who were attracted to our departed brother by his genial and pleasing personality. Around his grave to honor his memory there stood a large number of old-time Iowa friends, as well as his new-found California friends. He shall live on in the pleasant memories of a great many friends, and in the beautiful thoughts that his poetic genius crystallized into verse.
A FRIEND.