William McMillan

Other Events:

• Eby ID Number: Waterloo-22748

Other Events:

• Elected Office: North Dumfries Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; councillor - North Dumfries
• Elected Office: Galt (Cambridge), Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; councillor - Galt
• Interesting: pioneer, story, roads, business
• Eby ID Number: Waterloo-40569
• Immigration: 1835, , Canada
• Residence: 1844, Dumfries Township, Gore District, Ontario
• Occupation: 1852, Galt (Cambridge), Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; innkeeper
• Occupation: 1861, North Dumfries Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Auctioneer
• Residence: 1861, North Dumfries Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Free Church
• Occupation: 1871, North Dumfries Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Farmer
• Residence: 1871, North Dumfries Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Lot 6 Con 10
• Residence: 1871, North Dumfries Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Presbyterian
• Occupation: 1881, North Dumfries Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Farmer
• Residence: 1881, North Dumfries Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Presbyterian Canada

Notes:

MR. JAMES MCMILLAN was active in the church, and deeply interested in all that affected its welfare. He was, like many of his time, a great admirer of Dr. Bayne, and could not speak too strongly in his praise. If ever hero-worship existed in Galt, it was among the followers of Dr. Bayne. To touch that chord was to receive a quick and large response. Mr. McMillan was regarded by those who knew him best as a great-hearted man; a man of principle, straightforward and honorable. He was zealous of the orthodoxy of the Church, and was intense in his feeling against any depreciation of doctrinal standards. He was not meagre and moderate in his theology, but rich and strong. He was in no uncertainty as to what he believed. He was one of the leaders in the formation of the " Bayne Church," all the members of which united together under this name to affirm their adherence to the teachings which characterized Dr. Bayne's ministry. And these teachings were the higher ranges of Christian truth, dealing more with the Divine purposes and the Divine action, than with human duty. He preached twelve sermons on Calvinism in course, and he who informed me of the fact, said: " Whether it was reasonable or not, you felt it was scriptural." Dr. Bayne s strong preaching made and moulded strong minds, and had a special charm for them. It was massive in truth and meaty to the hungry, and fed them. Mr. McMillan had an exceedingly kind nature that was generous to a fault. When I became acquainted with him he had been in ill-health for a number of years, and was, therefore, not at his best, yet he was genial and benign, and quick in thought and ready in expression, possessing evidently a full mind and a gracious soul. One of the old divines, in whose works he delighted, says:; The height of creature perfection lies in the constant habit of bringing our own emptiness to Christ s fulness." And that he did, with a profound humility, and sense of his great need of the merciful loving- kindness of God. He knew whom he had believed, and was persuaded that He was able to keep that which he had committed to Him against that day. He trusted in Him alone. His old friends cherish his memory as something precious, and still speak of him with enthusiasm. Though he had a long sickness, that hung upon him like a cloud, yet its skirts were illumined by a rainbow of bright promise, which gave him a sure hope, which upheld his heart and kept him at rest in God's unchangeable word. He waited patiently till his appointed time came, and that with sweet sub mission to the Divine will. He was never heard to mourn or complain. He evidently believed that God, in His government of the world, made no mistakes.

Ebenezer: A History of the Central Presbyterian Church, Galt, Ontario, with brief sketches of some of its members who have passed on the the other side, The Rev. James A. R. Dickson

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Death of Mr. James McMillan

The words which head this notice will bring old scenes and old recollections most forcibly back to the minds of many residents of Galt and the country surrounding. For almost the space of a lifetime Mr. McMillan was one of our most active men; energetic, shrewd, practical, kind-hearted, in the fullest sense of the word; while he pushed his way energetically and most industriously, he made friends on all hands. The first recollection we have of him was in connection with the Dundas and Waterloo Macadamized Road, either as its construction was about completed or immediately after its completion. He then held some position of responsibility on the road, which terminating, he became lessee of the Galt Gate, and after holding that position for a few years he dropped that and took the position of landlord of the old Galt Hotel, which position he held for a year or so, enjoying a large trade and being looked upon as one of the kindest, most considerate hosts in this section. Ceasing hotel-keeping, he became proprietor of one of our livery stables, in partnership with late Thos. McMillan, then after a few years Manager of the Hub and Spoke Works, every occupation in which he engaged testifying by its success to his care, ability and natural shrewdness. When comparatively a young man - Mr. McMillan used to say that his first start was got while he held Galt Toll Gate - he obtained almost a competence, and the subsequent years which passed until ill health incapacitated him from active pursuits, were so well used that when his health became impaired, he was comparatively wealthy.

It was? the movements of the life of the town, from somewhere about 1848 until ill-health overtook him, our old friend took an active part. Municipal life for a short time, as Councillor, both in Galt and North Dumfries; in his church; in agriculture and the Agricultural Society; in the various efforts made for the improvement of the village, then growing into a town; in the railways built or to be built; in each and all he bore his share, assisting where he approved, most actively, or opposing when of the many schemes propounded, he found some of which he could not approve.

In connection with is love and respect for the church to which he belonged, (he was then a member of Melville Church, of which Rev. Mr. Murdoch was Pastor,) there rises in the mind of the writer a scene which will be well remembered by many. During the heat of the discussion in Presbytery in Knox Church, Guelph, over the Russell evangelistic movement in Galt, Mr. McMillan, one of those opposed to the movement, rose to address the Presbytery and those present. While not a fluent speaker, he was one of those who thoroughly knew what he wanted to say and usually said it in the most concise, clear terms. On this occasion, he first directed the attention of the Presbytery to the church as it was when he as a youth had entered it; to the many aged men who had passed away from its portals, safe in their faith in its simple and sublime teachings; to the years it had stood firmly as a rock in defence of its beliefs and forms and then as he spoke of his own reverence; his voice trembled and failed him, tears rolled down his [line(s) missing] those who were present, but few there were but saw in those tears and heard in that quivering voice the strongest argument, almost silent though it was against the innovation.

Some nine years ago the hand of God bore heavily upon him. Seized with apoplexy, although he recovered his bodily health and appearance, his memory was so seriously affected that he was unable to take an active part in the transactions of life, and from that time he almost dropped out of it. Perfectly happy, enjoying life still in the bosom of his family and taking an interest in the daily affairs of his home and the country, yet the terribly want of memory was always present, and the events of one hour were forgotten before the next had arrived. But he was entirely happy; no cause of anxiety to his family always pleased and anxious to see his old friends with a smile and ready laugh and thoroughly enjoying their conversation. His last illness was short although for some time it was obvious that the powers of life were weakening. He became very stout, fatty degeneration of the heart showed itself and although somewhat yielding to remedies, it was obvious the end was not far off. About the middle of last week serious symptoms showed themselves and from that time until he quietly passed away it was only a matter of time.

Mr. McMillan leaves a widow and, we think, five daughters. Of his family all are living but his daughter Gracie, who died a few years ago, and two are married, viz: - Mrs. Dwyer, of Nevada, and Mrs. Goodwin, now of Galt. He was a native of Wigtonshire, Scotland, coming to this country in 1835.

Despite the inclemency of the day, the attendance of relatives from many parts of Canada and the United States, and of his old friends from this section at his funeral on Wednesday, was large.

Galt Reporter Jan 31 1887 pg 1 & 8

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In North Dumfries, on Monday morning, Jan. 31st, at 6 o'clock, James McMillan, aged 74 years, 3 months and 23 days.

Galt Reporter Jan 31 1887 pg 8
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James married Cassandra McAfee 14 Mar 1844, Hamilton, Wentworth Co., Ontario, Canada. Cassandra was born 1817, , Ontario, Canada; died 1 Aug 1900, Galt (Cambridge), Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; was buried , Mount View Cemetery, Cambridge, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada. [Group Sheet]

Other Events:

• Name: Cassandra McMillan
• Eby ID Number: Waterloo-47352
• Residence: 1844, Barton Twp., Wentworth Co., Ontario, Canada
• Residence: 1861, North Dumfries Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Free Church
• Residence: 1871, North Dumfries Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Presbyteroan
• Residence: 1881, North Dumfries Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Presbyterian Canada
• Residence: 1891, Galt (Cambridge), Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Presbyterian

Notes:

MRS. JAMES MCMILLAN was a woman of marked individuality in the sphere of Christian goodness. She was loving-kindness embodied. She was pre-eminently a mother, loving the quietude of her own home, and reigning there in the exercise of a sweet disposition rarely equalled, and a self-control, and a patience, and a strength of judgment hardly ever excelled. A wise thoughtfulness characterized all her ways. She was deeply permeated by the truth indeed I might very properly say, possessed by the truth. It was to her more than a word, it was a spiritual power, an operative principle affecting her heart and shaping her life, imparting to her good reasons for action, offering a desirable end to attain, and creating for her an atmosphere in whose light everything was seen. The Word of God was to her a lamp to her. feet and a light to her path. She loved other books, but the Bible most and best. That was the living spring whose waters were most satisfying to her, and which were most sought after.

She was a true and steadfast friend. The tide of time flowed on, but it wrought no change in her affections; she was constant and unaltering as the Pole Star. A remarkable equableness of temperament was hers. She was neither lifted up nor cast down unduly, but held on in the even tenor of her way. Her firm faith in the fatherly love of God upheld her spirit and ministered to her a peace which the world could neither give nor take away. God's Word she never doubted or questioned, but accepted gladly, and built the structure of her life upon it. Whatever else of sorrow came to her in the course of her life, there were two great sorrows that stood out like great mountain peaks above the rest; one of which was the death of her daughter, Grace, in her early youth, and in her young beauty and charm. Through a livelong year she slowly faded away, and passed into the land where " everlasting spring abides and never withering flowers," only remembered by what she had been. The other was the death of Mr. McMillan, after a long illness. Both were great trials which she bore with Christian resignation, looking through the darkness and desolation they brought into her existence into the light of God's face, and there finding a sure resting place in her great grief. She lived years after her husband s death, and when her end came it was quite unexpected, after only a few hours illness. But in this she enjoyed a great mercy. The chariot of God came and caught her up, and took her home, without any great pain or lingering sickness. With comfort we write: " Blessed are the dead who die in the Lord from henceforth; yea, saith the Spirit, that they may rest from their labors; and their works do follow them."

Ebenezer: A History of the Central Presbyterian Church, Galt, Ontario, with brief sketches of some of its members who have passed on the the other side, The Rev. James A. R. Dickson