My Genealogy Hound

JAMES McMILLEN, dealer in coal and salt. The subject of this sketch is a pioneer descendant and a living relic of one of the oldest and respected families of Ripley. His father, Robert, was a native of Pennsylvania, and his mother, Mary A. (Pigman) McMillen, was born in Virginia. Their settlement in this city occurred in 1802 or 1803. He soon after became engaged in the dry goods business, and was one of Ripley’s pioneer merchants, and was allied with the mercantile interest of the city for thirty-five or forty years. He raised a family of seven children, and after a successful business career, died in this city in 1860. James, our subject, was born in Ripley in 1835. His early years were spent in securing a proper education, after which he was engaged with his father until his death. The following year he closed up the business and removed to Louisville, Ky., and associated himself with F. J. Groaman as salesman. In 1876, he returned to this city and established himself in his present business. He reaps the benefit of the consuming trade of the city, and his business is constantly increasing. His marriage to Miss Mollie Self, a native of Louisville, occurred in 1860, in the latter named place. This union was severed by her death, the following year, and he remained in single life until 1878, when he was united to Miss Naurice Tabb, a native of Mason County, Ky. Mr. M. was one of the fortunate passengers of the ill-fated steamer Magnolia, that exploded her boiler March 18, 1868. Seventy-five lives were lost by this disaster, and but few escaped. He is a member of the I. O. O. F., and represents the push and enterprise of Ripley’s foremost merchants.