John S. McMillin
John Stafford McMillin | |
|---|---|
| Born | Template:Birth date Sugar Grove, Indiana, U.S. |
| Died | November 3, 1936 (aged 81) |
| Occupation(s) | Attorney, entrepreneur, political leader |
| Known for | President and general manager of Tacoma and Roche Harbor Lime Company; member of Washington state railroad commission; delegate to Republican National Conventions (1924, 1932) |
John Stafford McMillin (October 28, 1855 – November 3, 1936) was a prominent American attorney, entrepreneur, and political leader. Originating from Sugar Grove, Indiana, he pursued higher education at DePauw University, where he became a member of the Sigma Chi fraternity. He initially practiced law in Lafayette, Indiana before moving to the Washington Territory. There, he assumed the roles of president and general manager at the Tacoma Lime Company.
In 1886, McMillin and his associates purchased Roche Harbor, Washington, establishing the Tacoma and Roche Harbor Lime Company, with McMillin serving as president and general manager. He was instrumental in the development of the Hotel de Haro in Roche Harbor and engaged in political activities, including an unsuccessful candidacy for the United States Senate in 1895. His public service included membership on the Washington state railroad commission and participation as a delegate at the Republican National Convention in both 1924 and 1932. McMillin was also a dedicated Freemason.
Early life, education and family
John Stafford McMillin was born on October 28, 1855, in Sugar Grove, Indiana. He had a sibling named Reverend William B. McMillin. He earned a Bachelor of Arts degree from DePauw University in 1876, followed by a Master of Arts in 1879. As the inaugural Grand Consul (international president) of the Sigma Chi fraternity, he maintained lifelong involvement with the organization, founding chapters at institutions such as Washington State University, Whitman College, and the University of Oregon.
Marriage and children
On June 5, 1877, McMillin married Louella Hiett. Their first child, John Hiett McMillin, passed away shortly after birth in 1878. The couple had two additional sons: Fred Hiett McMillin (1880–1922) and Paul Hiett McMillin (1886–1961), as well as one daughter, Dorothy Hiett McMillin (1894–1980).
Career
After gaining admission to the bar in Lafayette, Indiana, in 1877, McMillin practiced law until 1884. That year marked his move to Washington Territory, where he invested in and took leadership of the Tacoma Lime Company as president and general manager. In 1886, following an evaluation of limestone resources at Roche Harbor, McMillin and partners acquired the property from the Scurr brothers. They incorporated the Tacoma and Roche Harbor Lime Company with McMillin at its helm as president and general manager. Additionally, he managed the Staveless Barrel Company located in Roche Harbor and supervised construction of the Hotel de Haro.
McMillin campaigned unsuccessfully for a seat in the U.S. Senate in 1895. Between 1905/06 and 1908, he held a position on the Washington state railroad commission. He was involved in notifying Theodore Roosevelt of his presidential nomination and served as a delegate to the Republican National Conventions held in 1924 and again in 1932.
Death and interment
John Stafford McMillin passed away on November 3, 1936. Following his death, his son Paul assumed leadership of the Tacoma and Roche Harbor Lime Company. Six years earlier, McMillin had commissioned Afterglow Vista (also known as the McMillin Memorial Mausoleum), which functions as the family’s burial site. His cremated remains lie there alongside those of his wife and children.