COMPENDIUMOF BIOGRAPHY
OfHenry County, Indiana
B.F.Bowen
1920
Surnamesin this biography are: Millikan, Koons, Eller, Boyd,
ISAAC N.MILLIKAN
Henry County can boast of few moreprogressive and enterprising
agriculturists than the well-known gentleman whosename forms the caption of
this review. He is considered one of the leadingfarmers of Liberty township
and as a citizen is intelligent and public-spirited,combining with-in himself
those qualities of manhood that make not only auseful member of society, but
a leader in whatever he undertakes. The subjectis the son of John R. and
Martha (Koons) Millikan, and his birth took place onthe 31st of December
1855, in the township in which he now resides. The familyfrom which the
subject is descended is traced to Scotch-Irish origin. Thefather of the
subject John R. Millikan, was born and reared in Tennessee and in1839 came to
this county. He was a poor young man and paid for histransportation by
helping to care for the stock and goods on the trip. When he arrived in
Henry County his solepossessions were a horse and ten dollars in money. He
attended school some andby close application was enabled to qualify for the
profession of teaching,following this occupation during several terms. He was
economical and investedhis savings in a piece of land in Blue Township and at
once entered upon the task of clearing itand making it fit for
cultivation. Upon his marriage, however, he sold this andmoved to Hancock
County, where he bought another, farm, all wooded land. He hadthis partially
cleared when he sold it and returned to Henry County, buyingwhat was
afterward known as the Wisehart farm. He remained upon this placeuntil 1854,
when he sold it and bought the place on which the subject of thissketch now
resides. In 1881 he removed to New Castle, where he lived until hisdeath in
1895. He was married to Miss Martha Koons, the daughter of George andMary
(Eller) Koons. Her parents were early pioneers of Henry County, cominghere
from North Carolina about 1820. To this union were born the
followingchildren: James, Sarah J, Davault K, Elizabeth, Mary E., Frank M.,
Thomas B.and Isaac N. John R. Millikan was a prominent man in his day, and in
1867 waselected to represent his county in the state legislature.
While in that body he was the authorof a bill, known as the Gravel Road bill,
which made it possible for the counties of the state to
constructgravel roads, a much-needed improvement. He was a member of
the Christian church. Isaac N. Millikan was reared upon theparental
homestead and attended the common schools of his neighborhood,supplementing
this by attendance at the academy at New Castle and one term atthe
Spice land Academy. He wasqualified to teach in the public schools,
but never took up that work. He returned to the farm andcontrolled a
half interest in it his partner being his brother. T. B. Here he hassince
continued to successfully follow the pursuit of agriculture and by hiswise
management, sound discrimination and progressive methods has acquired
acomfortable income. The marriage of thesubject occurred in 1881, the lady
of his choice being. Miss Narcissa Boyd, thedaughter of James M Boyd, an
early pioneer of this county. The fruit of thisunion is one child, Imogene,
born in January 1887. Politically Mr. Millikan isa stanch Republican and has
always taken a keen interest in all questions affectingthe interests of his
county or township. For fifteen years he has served as committeeman for his
precinct, buthas never had any aspiration for public office. Fraternally he
is a member ofthe Knights of Pythias, holding membership in the subordinate
lodge at NewCastle. He and his wife are members of the Christian church and
are faithful inthe performance of their religious duties. In his business
relations he keepsin accord with the ethics of life and the correctness of
his motives has neverbeen questioned by those with whom he has had any
dealings. Eminentlywarm-hearted and generous, hedischarges all of his
duties with energy and zeal, and, to the best of his ability, lives
up to his highestconception of what constitutes true manhood.