ISAAC N. MILLIKAN
Henry County can boast of few more progressive and enterprising
agriculturists than the well-known gentleman whose name forms the caption of
this review. He is considered one of the leading farmers of Liberty township
and as a citizen is intelligent and public-spirited, combining with-in
himself those qualities of manhood that make not only a useful member of
society, but a leader in whatever he undertakes. The subject is the son of
John R. and Martha (Koons) Millikan, and his birth took place on the 31st of
December 1855, in the township in which he now resides. The family from which
the subject is descended is traced to Scotch-Irish origin. The father of the
subject John R. Millikan, was born and reared in Tennessee and in 1839 came
to this county. He was a poor young man and paid for his transportation by
helping to care for the stock and goods on the trip. When he arrived in Henry
County his sole possessions were a horse and ten dollars in money. He
attended school some and by close application was enabled to qualify for the
profession of teaching, following this occupation during several terms. He
was economical and invested his savings in a piece of land in Blue Township
and at once entered upon the task of clearing it and making it fit for
cultivation. Upon his marriage, however, he sold this and moved to Hancock
County, where he bought another, farm, all wooded land. He had this partially
cleared when he sold it and returned to Henry County, buying what was
afterward known as the Wisehart farm. He remained upon this place until 1854,
when he sold it and bought the place on which the subject of this sketch now
resides. In 1881 he removed to New Castle, where he lived until his death in
1895. He was married to Miss Martha Koons, the daughter of George and Mary
(Eller) Koons. Her parents were early pioneers of Henry County, coming here
from North Carolina about 1820. To this union were born the following
children: 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 was
elected to represent his county in the state legislature. While in that body
he was the author of a bill, known as the Gravel Road bill, which made it
possible for the counties of the state to construct gravel roads, a
much-needed improvement. He was a member of the Christian church. Isaac N.
Millikan was reared upon the parental homestead and attended the common
schools of his neighborhood, supplementing this by attendance at the academy
at New Castle and one term at the Spiceland Academy. He was qualified to
teach in the public schools, but never took up that work. He returned to the
farm and controlled a half interest in it his partner being his brother. T.
B. Here he has since continued to successfully follow the pursuit of
agriculture and by his wise management, sound discrimination and progressive
methods has acquired a comfortable income. The marriage of the subject
occurred in 1881, the lady of his choice being. Miss Narcissa Boyd, the
daughter of James M Boyd, an early pioneer of this county. The fruit of this
union is one child, Imogene, born in January 1887. Politically Mr. Millikan
is a stanch Republican and has always taken a keen interest in all questions
affecting the interests of his county or township. For fifteen years he has
served as committeeman for his precinct, but has never had any aspiration for
public office. Fraternally he is a member of the Knights of Pythias, holding
membership in the subordinate lodge at New Castle. He and his wife are
members of the Christian church and are faithful in the performance of their
religious duties. In his business relations he keeps in accord with the
ethics of life and the correctness of his motives has never been questioned
by those with whom he has had any dealings. Eminently warm-hearted and
generous, he discharges all of his duties with energy and zeal, and, to the
best of his ability, lives up to his highest conception of what constitutes
true manhood.
Typed by Lora Radiches
Compendium of Biography Of Henry County, Indiana B. F. Bowen 1920