Milan, Illinois Early Settlers

EARLY SETTLERS OF MILAN

1903

Martin Whisler who was born and reared in Enqland; he was an early Milan merchant.

A.C. Eankinson also had a store here at an early date, but later moved to Hennepin and the store was then run by James Gllmore.

John Brownlee lived in the house now occupied by the family of John Hinderer. In 1845, he was a carpenter and had 2 sons and 1 daughter, all long since dead.

Christian Routzoung came with his family and settled on what was then called Lowell Island. He afterwards moved to a farm south of town and died in the house near Mill Creek now occupied by Henry Winters.

W. McNoll lived here in 1845 in a small stone house now gone,on the corner of 1st and William Streets. His wife claimed to be one of the spiritual wives of, the Prophet Smith of the Mormon Church.

Isaac Peterson was head miller for a number of years at the Johnston mills. He died of old age at Andalusia.

A.L. Bush married a daughter of Daniel Pinkley in 1846 and built the house now occupied by P.E. Philebar where he lived for a number of years before moving to western Iowa where his wife died. He is still living, aged about 85 years, with his daughter in Arkansas. His son Taylor Bush ss in business in New York. Another son is a farmer in northern Iowa.

M.L. Pinkley came to Camden (Mills) in 1845. 2 brothers and one sister, Mrs.A.R. Brown, still live in Milan.

Rinnah Wells who died in 1852, when found dead in his on the public highway.

Wm Dickson, the founer of the town (of Milan ), was born in1783 in New York . His grandparents were murdered by Indians in the famous Cherry Valley , New York massacre. He was the father of 9 children - 7 sons and 2 daughters. He came to this part of the country in 1834, from Erie Co., He brought his family here in 1837 and resided in the oldSac (Indian) town. He died in Milan in 1869.

Col. John Dickson, came to Milan in 1844 but only a few of his descendents are here now James who lives on a farm 2 miles south of the village and William, unmarried, who lives in the village.

James Johnston was the proprietor of the mills here for several years. His son John is proprietor of the only mill now left here. After many years in the village, James left for California but was then brought back sick after a number of years and died in the house now occupied by his son John.

. J.W. Heflin ran a hotel in the house now owned by James Lafferty on Dickson and 2nd Streets. One of his daughters married John Cook, who later moved to Rock Island and was county clerk.

James Dickson, one of the builders of the flouring mill, lived on the corner of Dickson and 4th Streets where now stands the residence of Dr. Wippins.

N.D. Bradley was Milan 's 1st carpenter and came here from New York in 1843. He married Elizabeth Dickson and built the Bradley House near the corner of Dickson & 4th Streets.

Tom Young was an early businessman; he was born in Maryland in 1822. His store was located on Water Street .

Wm Young, Paton Glenn and Wm Stone bepan a sawmill here.

Daniel Pinkley, a physician, came here in 1845. He then went into the restaurnnt business until he was 80 years old when his wife died. He then "returned to make his home with his children". He died at the home of his daughter in Milan on 18 January 1892 , aged 92 years.

Milan Independent

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Illinois Ancestors

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