James Eliphalet McMillan

    James Eliphalet McMillan was born on Monday, 25 July 1825 at Niagara-on-the-Lake, Lincoln Co., Ontario, Canada. At the age of 14 (c. 1839), he was indentured to the printing business, serving his five years between the Palladium and the Commercial News in Toronto. In 1844 he removed to Galt to take charge of the Dumfries Courier and was foreman there for a year. He went to Oshawa where he conducted the Christian Luminary, the organ of the sect called the Christian denomination. He and Louisa Hore, daughter of Jacob Hore and Elizabeth Luke, were married by Reverend Mr. Thornton on Saturday, 6 February 1847 at Whitby, Ontario Co., Ontario, Canada. The notice states they were both from Oshawa. He witnessed the marriage of Henry Carswell and Mary Hannah Hore, Saturday, 2 June 1849 Oshawa, Ontario, Canada. In 1850, he and Alexander Begg published the Bowmanville Messenger, that town's first newspaper. Together with Samuel Luke, purchased interest in the Oshawa "Freeman" newpaper. Six months later he sold his interest to William H. Orr. Sometime during 1859 he went to Victoria and joined the staff of the Colonist. He was enumerated (in absentia) as household head on the census of 1861 at Bowmanville, Durham Co., Ontario, Canada. He is listed as: Jas E McMillan, Printer, born Canada West, Methodist, residence Vancouver Island, age 36, male, married, absent at time of enumeration, living in a wood frame house with 2 stories, one family dwelling within. Louisa McMillan, James Stephen McMillan, Elizabeth A. McMillan, Mary Hannah McMillan, William Thomas McMillan and Richard Henry McMillan also appeared in the household. He resumed his printing business in Victoria, first with Colonist as a compositor then assistant editor. He then went to New Westminster and took charge of the British Columbian and became a partner with Honorable John Robson. In 1863 he disposed of his interest and returned to Victoria and started the Victoria Chronical with W. D. Higgins. He sold out after a year to start the Morning News, which became the Evening News. A year later, he sold his plant to Amor DeCosmos, who established the Standard, James becoming the superintendent of the mechanical department. He became editor of the Standard in 1871 when Amor DeCosmos was elected to the House of Commons. During 1872 and 1873 he was Mayor of Victoria. During 1876 and 1877 he was appointed Government Assessor and Collector. He then established a job printing business. He appeared as household head on the census of 1881 at Victoria, British Columbia, Canada. He was recorded as: McMillan, James, male, age 57, born Ontario, W. Methodist, of Irish origin, printer, married. Louisa McMillan and Richard Henry McMillan also appeared in the household. William McKay was lodging with the family. In 1884, he was offered and accepted, the position of Sheriff for the county of Victoria, and he discontinued his printing business. He appeared as household head on the census of 18 May 1891 at Victoria, British Columbia, Canada. He was listed as: McMillan J E, male, 65, married, born Ontario, father born Ireland, mother born Ontario, Methodist, Sheriff, wage earner, able to read and write. Louisa McMillan, Mary Hannah Watkins, Richard Henry McMillan, Charles Elwood Watkins, Elizabeth Mildred Watkins, Clarence William Watkins, Ernest Basil Watkins, Frank McKay Watkins, Charles Richard Watkins and William McKay also appeared in the household. He appeared as household head on the census of April 1901 at 138 Cormorant Street, Victoria, British Columbia, Canada. He was listed as: McMillan, Jas E, male, white, head, married, born July 21, 1826 in Ontario, age 74, of Irish origin, Canadian, Methodist, Sheriff, employee, earned $1500, able to read, write and speak English. Louisa McMillan and Charles Elwood Watkins also appeared in the household. Elizabeth Metcalfe and Frank Swanell were boarding with the family. Sing Long was the servant. Circa 1902 he resigned his position of Sheriff due to ill health. James and Louisa McMillan celebrated their 60'th wedding anniversary, on Wednesday, 6 February 1907. An image of the newspaper article can be found here.
     James died on Tuesday, 13 August 1907 at home, 138 Cormorant Street, Victoria, British Columbia, Canada, at age 82 years and 19 days from cerebral apoplexy. He was buried on Friday, 16 August 1907 in Ross Bay Cemetery, Block G, Plot 69 W 12, Victoria, British Columbia, Canada.