John Thomas McMillen family papers
Collection
Identifier: Ms-0037
Scope and Content
This collection contains the family papers and ranch records of the John T. McMillen family. The McMillens were a prominent Grant County ranching family and accumulated papers not only relating to ranching but to other civic activities. (Most of these items are the original documents but certain documents have been photocopied and the originals returned to the McMillen family.) The papers date from 1880 and a few newspaper clippings about Daniel C. McMillen are dated May 1975. Most collection materials cover the period 1938-1959.
Besides personal correspondence, including greeting cards, there is an extensive newspaper clipping file and manuscript drafts of speeches. One of the collection's greatest strengths and most thorough coverage is found in the minutes, reports, budgets, agendas and general correspondence from Mrs. McMillen's tenure of Western New Mexico University's Board of Regents (1959-1968). Legal papers, including deeds and contract agreements dating from 1880, trace the acquisition of the McMillen's land and cattle holdings. Another important segment is the series on the Office of Price Administration. Covering McMillen's tenure on the War Price and Rationing Board during World War II, this series not only contains correspondence and official directives, but publications describing the homefront situation of the war effort. Of particular value are the minutes of War Price and Rationing Board No. 9, which documents requests from citizens for additional rationed items and ration violation hearings. As a source for social history on World War II's effect on southwestern New Mexico, these minutes are incomparable.
Although the McMillen family was active in many civic organizations, the segment dealing with organizational activities is not particularly large. Most items in this series concern the Boy Scouts of America, although there are a number of documents pertaining to Mrs. McMillen's activities as New Mexico Mother of the Year in 1965. Other organizations included in this segment include Silver City Chamber of Commerce, 4-H Club, Lions Club and the New Mexico Family Planning Council.
Photographs from the McMillen family consist almost entirely of copy negatives made from original photos still in family hands. Journal records from a meat packing concern have been photocopied and microfilmed while the original items remain with the family.
The largest segment of the papers are the ranch and financial records. Under this broad heading are accounts and receipts, items pertaining to McMillen's conservation activities and annual accountant reports of the McMillen's financial status. In addition to business correspondence, (including letters from other New Mexico cattlemen and political officials) there are numerous items concerning the various brands owned by the McMillens. Receipts from cattle sales are contained in this segment, as are 62 small notebooks containing cattle tallies. Such tallies exist for nearly every year from 1913 until 1967. Besides check book stubs and publications and information from various organizations and government agencies, there are very complete insurance records from 1930-1971 and tax schedules from 1889-1896 and 1939-1964. Folders in this series are arranged first by subject and then chronologically. Some subject headings are the New Mexico Cattle Growers' Association, Federal Grazing, People's Packing Plant, Ranching Business, Soil Conservation, Reclamation and Farm and Livestock Bureau.
Finally, duplicate material has been stored in a separate box at the end of the collection. This same box also contains charred items. The burnt material has been photocopied and the photocopies placed in the appropriate spots in the collection in order to avoid smell and acid contamination of other items by the burnt things.
Besides personal correspondence, including greeting cards, there is an extensive newspaper clipping file and manuscript drafts of speeches. One of the collection's greatest strengths and most thorough coverage is found in the minutes, reports, budgets, agendas and general correspondence from Mrs. McMillen's tenure of Western New Mexico University's Board of Regents (1959-1968). Legal papers, including deeds and contract agreements dating from 1880, trace the acquisition of the McMillen's land and cattle holdings. Another important segment is the series on the Office of Price Administration. Covering McMillen's tenure on the War Price and Rationing Board during World War II, this series not only contains correspondence and official directives, but publications describing the homefront situation of the war effort. Of particular value are the minutes of War Price and Rationing Board No. 9, which documents requests from citizens for additional rationed items and ration violation hearings. As a source for social history on World War II's effect on southwestern New Mexico, these minutes are incomparable.
Although the McMillen family was active in many civic organizations, the segment dealing with organizational activities is not particularly large. Most items in this series concern the Boy Scouts of America, although there are a number of documents pertaining to Mrs. McMillen's activities as New Mexico Mother of the Year in 1965. Other organizations included in this segment include Silver City Chamber of Commerce, 4-H Club, Lions Club and the New Mexico Family Planning Council.
Photographs from the McMillen family consist almost entirely of copy negatives made from original photos still in family hands. Journal records from a meat packing concern have been photocopied and microfilmed while the original items remain with the family.
The largest segment of the papers are the ranch and financial records. Under this broad heading are accounts and receipts, items pertaining to McMillen's conservation activities and annual accountant reports of the McMillen's financial status. In addition to business correspondence, (including letters from other New Mexico cattlemen and political officials) there are numerous items concerning the various brands owned by the McMillens. Receipts from cattle sales are contained in this segment, as are 62 small notebooks containing cattle tallies. Such tallies exist for nearly every year from 1913 until 1967. Besides check book stubs and publications and information from various organizations and government agencies, there are very complete insurance records from 1930-1971 and tax schedules from 1889-1896 and 1939-1964. Folders in this series are arranged first by subject and then chronologically. Some subject headings are the New Mexico Cattle Growers' Association, Federal Grazing, People's Packing Plant, Ranching Business, Soil Conservation, Reclamation and Farm and Livestock Bureau.
Finally, duplicate material has been stored in a separate box at the end of the collection. This same box also contains charred items. The burnt material has been photocopied and the photocopies placed in the appropriate spots in the collection in order to avoid smell and acid contamination of other items by the burnt things.
Dates
- 1880 - 1975
Access and Use Restrictions
This material may be examined by researchers under supervised conditions in the Search Room.
Copy Restrictions
Limited duplication is allowed for research purposes. User is responsible for compliance with all copyright and other applicable statutes.
The copyrights possessed in this collection have not been transferred and assigned to New Mexico State University.
The copyrights possessed in this collection have not been transferred and assigned to New Mexico State University.
Biographical Sketch
John Thomas McMillen was born in Silver City, New Mexico, on March 31, 1891. He was the youngest son of Daniel C. McMillen, a pioneer miner and cattleman, and Mary Jane (Howe) McMillen. Both parents were originally from St. Johns, Province of Quebec, Canada, and came to the United States in 1872. After first settling in Colorado, the family located permanently at Silver City in 1876. Originally, the elder McMillen was in cattle ranching on a small scale in the Mule Creek Section. His herd was one of the first ones in Grant County, having been purchased from Don T. Terranes of Casa Grande, Old Mexico, and driven overland on a hazardous and often waterless trip. Later the elder McMillen sold his Mule Creek section to the L. C. Cattle Company. In 1883, he established the A. T. Cross ranch, which was later consolidated with other holdings to become the McMillen Cattle Company.
Joining his father and brother Elmo in the McMillen Cattle Company, John T. McMillen owned his own herd of cattle by the time he was sixteen. By his untiring effort, he became one of the most successful ranchers in Grant County. On January 26, 1924, he married Lucy McCauley in Lordsburg, New Mexico. Five children were born to the couple: Lucille Jane, married to E. R. Hair; Mable Frances, married to Rod Frary; John T. McMillen, Jr., Daneen C., married to Clyde Lutkin; and Will Roger McMillen. In 1941, McMillen left the McMillen Cattle Company to run his own ranch and devote time to other activities.
McMillen, his brother and father were among the founders of the New Mexico Cattle Growers'Association. Besides being a life member of that organization, McMillen was a member of its Board of Directors. Being an earnest worker among cattlemen, McMillen was active in many related activities, including the Southwest Feeders Show at Lordsburg.
McMillen was a member of the Silver City - Grant County Chamber of Commerce, and was Chamber vice president in 1940. From 1938-1955, he was a member of the local chamber's Board of Directors. Known as a very farsighted and innovative individual, McMillen was one of the first promoters of the Hooker Dam and travelled many times to Washington, D. C., and elsewhere to work in its behalf. He also was a member of the Grant County Farm Bureau and served as its chairman from 1942-1943.
McMillen was a supervisor of the Grant County Soil Conservation District from 1946-1957, and served as chairman of the Farm-Home Administration in 1958-1959. As a member of the Office of Price Administration Board from 1941-1946, he served as its chairman from 1942-1946, receiving a Presidential Citation for his work in 1944. He also was a director of the New Mexico Reclamation Association from 1941-1951, serving as its vice president from 1946-1948. Besides being the chairman of the Grant County unit, McMillen served as its acting president until 1951.
An active Republican, McMillen was a member of the Republican Central Council of Grant County. Besides serving as secretary-treasurer of that council, McMillen was its chairman from 1954-1957. He had run unsuccessfully for county commissioner in 1950.
One of the founders of the Grant County Archaeological Society, McMillen was also a member of the Historical Society of Southwest New Mexico. He was a member of the Episcopal Church of the Good Shepherd; a life member of the Silver City Masonic Lodge, a Knight Templar and Shriner; a life member of the Elks Club and an Old Monarch Lion.
Among McMillen's many civic activities, the Boy Scouts were a particular favorite. McMillen was vice president of the Yucca Council and represented Grant County on the National Council. For his efforts, McMillen was awarded the Silver Beaver from the Boy Scouts of America. Other honors bestowed on McMillen include being named Pioneer of the Year in 1967 by the Historical Society of Southwest New Mexico and being included in the seventh edition of Marquis' Who's Who in the West.
In 1972, McMillen retired from ranching. His last days were spent in the Rest Haven Nursing Home where he died on May 31, 1975. Burial occurred on June 5, 1975, in the Masonic Cemetery in Silver City.
Lucy McCauley was born in 1903 at Hiram, Arkansas. In 1904, her parents, Fred and Provey McCauley, moved to New Mexico. First the family lived at Riverside and then they moved to Leopold in the Burros before moving to the Gila Valley.
Until 1915, Lucy attended school in Leopold. She then went to school in Mangus prior to attending the Normal School (now Western New Mexico University) in Silver City. After graduating with the class of 1921, Lucy taught several years at Mangus, Central, Silver City and Cliff.
On January 26, 1924, Lucy married John T. McMillen, a prominent rancher. The couple had five children. Mrs. McMillen was known as an exemplary housekeeper and had a wide-spread reputation as a good cook and hospitable hostess. Partly because of this homemaking talent, Mrs. McMillen was selected as New Mexico's Mother of the Year in 1965.
Mrs. McMillen was active in civic and community affairs. She was a member of the Episcopal Church and the Martha Guild. Besides being active in the Extension Club and Farm Bureau, Mrs. McMillen was also involved in the New Mexico Cattle Growers' Association , the PTA, and the Silver City Women's Club. In addition to belonging to the order of Eastern Star, Mrs. McMillen was a mother advisor for the Order of Rainbow for Girls. Mrs. McMillen also belonged to the Daughters of the American Revolution and assisted her husband with Boy Scouts.
In 1959, Mrs. McMillen was appointed to the Board of Regents of Western New Mexico College (later University). She served two terms on that board and her second six-year term was unexpired at the time of her death on November 4, 1968.
Joining his father and brother Elmo in the McMillen Cattle Company, John T. McMillen owned his own herd of cattle by the time he was sixteen. By his untiring effort, he became one of the most successful ranchers in Grant County. On January 26, 1924, he married Lucy McCauley in Lordsburg, New Mexico. Five children were born to the couple: Lucille Jane, married to E. R. Hair; Mable Frances, married to Rod Frary; John T. McMillen, Jr., Daneen C., married to Clyde Lutkin; and Will Roger McMillen. In 1941, McMillen left the McMillen Cattle Company to run his own ranch and devote time to other activities.
McMillen, his brother and father were among the founders of the New Mexico Cattle Growers'Association. Besides being a life member of that organization, McMillen was a member of its Board of Directors. Being an earnest worker among cattlemen, McMillen was active in many related activities, including the Southwest Feeders Show at Lordsburg.
McMillen was a member of the Silver City - Grant County Chamber of Commerce, and was Chamber vice president in 1940. From 1938-1955, he was a member of the local chamber's Board of Directors. Known as a very farsighted and innovative individual, McMillen was one of the first promoters of the Hooker Dam and travelled many times to Washington, D. C., and elsewhere to work in its behalf. He also was a member of the Grant County Farm Bureau and served as its chairman from 1942-1943.
McMillen was a supervisor of the Grant County Soil Conservation District from 1946-1957, and served as chairman of the Farm-Home Administration in 1958-1959. As a member of the Office of Price Administration Board from 1941-1946, he served as its chairman from 1942-1946, receiving a Presidential Citation for his work in 1944. He also was a director of the New Mexico Reclamation Association from 1941-1951, serving as its vice president from 1946-1948. Besides being the chairman of the Grant County unit, McMillen served as its acting president until 1951.
An active Republican, McMillen was a member of the Republican Central Council of Grant County. Besides serving as secretary-treasurer of that council, McMillen was its chairman from 1954-1957. He had run unsuccessfully for county commissioner in 1950.
One of the founders of the Grant County Archaeological Society, McMillen was also a member of the Historical Society of Southwest New Mexico. He was a member of the Episcopal Church of the Good Shepherd; a life member of the Silver City Masonic Lodge, a Knight Templar and Shriner; a life member of the Elks Club and an Old Monarch Lion.
Among McMillen's many civic activities, the Boy Scouts were a particular favorite. McMillen was vice president of the Yucca Council and represented Grant County on the National Council. For his efforts, McMillen was awarded the Silver Beaver from the Boy Scouts of America. Other honors bestowed on McMillen include being named Pioneer of the Year in 1967 by the Historical Society of Southwest New Mexico and being included in the seventh edition of Marquis' Who's Who in the West.
In 1972, McMillen retired from ranching. His last days were spent in the Rest Haven Nursing Home where he died on May 31, 1975. Burial occurred on June 5, 1975, in the Masonic Cemetery in Silver City.
Lucy McCauley was born in 1903 at Hiram, Arkansas. In 1904, her parents, Fred and Provey McCauley, moved to New Mexico. First the family lived at Riverside and then they moved to Leopold in the Burros before moving to the Gila Valley.
Until 1915, Lucy attended school in Leopold. She then went to school in Mangus prior to attending the Normal School (now Western New Mexico University) in Silver City. After graduating with the class of 1921, Lucy taught several years at Mangus, Central, Silver City and Cliff.
On January 26, 1924, Lucy married John T. McMillen, a prominent rancher. The couple had five children. Mrs. McMillen was known as an exemplary housekeeper and had a wide-spread reputation as a good cook and hospitable hostess. Partly because of this homemaking talent, Mrs. McMillen was selected as New Mexico's Mother of the Year in 1965.
Mrs. McMillen was active in civic and community affairs. She was a member of the Episcopal Church and the Martha Guild. Besides being active in the Extension Club and Farm Bureau, Mrs. McMillen was also involved in the New Mexico Cattle Growers' Association , the PTA, and the Silver City Women's Club. In addition to belonging to the order of Eastern Star, Mrs. McMillen was a mother advisor for the Order of Rainbow for Girls. Mrs. McMillen also belonged to the Daughters of the American Revolution and assisted her husband with Boy Scouts.
In 1959, Mrs. McMillen was appointed to the Board of Regents of Western New Mexico College (later University). She served two terms on that board and her second six-year term was unexpired at the time of her death on November 4, 1968.
Extent
9 linear feet (4,375 items)
Language of Materials
English
Abstract
Family papers and ranch records of a Grant County, New Mexico, ranching family. Contains correspondence, newspaper clippings, speeches, legal papers and abstracts, organizational papers, meat shop records, accounts and receipts, annual reports, business correspondence, cattle tally notebooks, check book stubs, insurance records and tax schedules. Also there are agendas, annual reports, budget statistics, correspondence, general files, regents' reports, vouchers and minutes of the Board of Regents of Western New Mexico University, 1959-1963. The collection also contains correspondence, minutes, newsletters and publications from the Office of Price Administration.
Separated Material
Photographs stored in Photo area.
- Title
- Guide to the John Thomas McMillen Family papers
- Status
- Completed
- Author
- Processed by Margaret B. Thwaits, Merleen Dibert.
- Date
- 2000
- Language of description
- Undetermined
- Script of description
- Code for undetermined script
- Language of description note
- Finding aid is in English
Revision Statements
- June 28, 2004: PUBLIC "-//New Mexico State University::Archives and Special Collections//TEXT (US::NmLcU::Ms 37::John Thomas McMillen Family Papers)//EN" "nmlcu1ms37.sgml" converted from EAD 1.0 to 2002 by v1to02.xsl (sy2003-10-15).
- Monday, 20210524: Attribute normal is missing or blank.
Repository Details
Part of the New Mexico State University Library Archives and Special Collections Repository