Greene County PA Archives Biographies.....McMillan, Rev. Dr. John November 11, 1752 - ????
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Marta Burns marta43@juno.com June 17, 2025, 3:33 pm

Source: Biographical History of Greene County, Nelson, Rishforth, and Co, Chicago, 1888
Author: Samuel P. Bates

      Rev Dr John McMillan was born at Fagg's Manor, Chester 
County, Penna, November 11, 1752. His parents, William 
McMillan and Margaret Rea McMillan, emigrated to America in 
1742. They were Scotch Irish and devout Presbyterians. They 
had eighteen children. Their three sons who attained 
maturity were: Thomas McMillan, William McMillan and John 
McMillan, the youngest whose name heads this sketch. 
  
  It was his father's wish that John McMillan should become 
a minister of the gospel. He received a classical education 
at Princeton College, was first licensed to preach October 
26, 1774, and was among the pioneer preachers of Washington 
and Greene Counties. He was a strong man and engaged in 
physical as well as mental labor. 
  
      Early in life he formed the habit of writing and 
committing all of his sermons. He was always greatly 
interested in his work, and has given account of revival 
meetings in which he frequently labored through a whole 
night. Soon after the Revolutionary War, about the year 
1778, he removed with his family to Washington County, 
Penna, where he was the founder of Jefferson College, now 
known as Washington and Jefferson College, and was president 
of the instituion at the time of his death. He was married 
by the Rev Mr Carmichaels, August 6, 1777, to Miss Catharine 
Brown, daughter of William Brown. Seven children were born 
to them: William McMillan; John McMillan; Samuel McMillan; 
Jane McMillan; Margaret McMillan; Mary McMillan and 
Catherine McMillan. 
  
      Jane McMillan, being the oldest daughter, was twice 
married, her first husband being the Rev Mr Morehead. She 
was afterwards united in marriage with Samuel Harper, a 
merchant and farmer, who was born and raised near 
Philadelphia. He spent most of his business life in Greene 
County, Penna, and was one of its most prominent citizens. 
He was an elder in the Presbyterian Church for many years 
and served one term as sheriff of the County.  
  
      Samuel Harper was twice married and had ten children, 
the youngest of whom is H Harper, now a prominent citizen of 
Carmichaels, Penna. He was born in Cumberland Township, this 
county, September 29, 1819, was reared on the farm and 
attended school at Greene Academy, but devoted himself 
principally to farming and met with great success. 
  
  In 1862 Mr Harper married Rebecca M Johnson, daughter of 
William Johnson and Rebecca Norris Johnson. Her parents were 
natives of Chester County, Penna, and of English descent. 
They were members of the Society of Friends. Mr Harper is a 
Republican in politics. He and Mrs Harper are prominent 
members of the M E Church. Having retired from the more 
active duties of life, they now reside in Carmichaels where 
they have a neat, substantial residence.
  
      Mr Harper's brother, John McMillan Harper, was born in 
1812 in Greene County, where he grew to manhood. He was 
educated at Greene Academy. His vocation was that of farming 
for which he seemed especially adapted, being a powerful man 
six feet and two inches in height, always strong and robust 
and in the enjoyment of excellent health. 
  
      He was married in Jefferson Township, this county, to 
Miss Isabella Hughes, and they had one child, Margaret Jane 
Harper, who is the wife of E C Stone of Brownsville, Penna. 
During the late war, Mrs Stone's father, John M Harper, 
raised a company of cavalry of which he was soon elected 
Major, but by some means was defrauded out of his command. 
While at home, buying horses for the regiment, at which time 
he succeeded in getting 600, another was installed Major in 
his place. He then resigned and returned home, spending the 
remainder of his life on the farm, where he died in 1878, 
honored and respected by all who knew him. 

Page 628

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