WILLIAM L. MILNE, a leading contractor, of Washington. The Milne family, of which this gentleman is a conspicuous member, have been residents of Scotland for many generations, and trace their lineage back to one Robert Milne, whose son, David, married and reared a family of children as follows: Jennie, Jessie, Robert, David, James and one whose name has not been ascertained. The early ancestors followed farming, but the sons of the family just enumerated were for the most part mariners. David Milne, one of these sons of Robert Milne, began a "life on the ocean wave" at the early age of ten years, and devoted his entire life to his chosen vocation. He sailed around the world twice, and was a ship captain for over twenty years. In 1838 he was united in marriage with Annie, daughter of David Scott, who is supposed to have been a lineal descendant of the old Scott family. Five children were born to David Scott, viz.: Alice, Peter, James, David and Annie (the latter of whom was born in 1819 and died in 1872). David and Annie (Scott) Milne settled in Tayport, Fifeshire, Scotland, and three children were born to their union: James (now a resident of Chicago, where he was vice- president of the Board of Trade); Annie (living in Scotland, widow of Thomas Primrose), and William L.
William L. Milne was born March 10, 1853, in Tayport, Scotland, and received an elementary education in his native country. Following his father's example, the lad was eager to begin life for himself in his boyhood. His elder brother had emigrated to America, and sent back enthusiastic descriptions of the New World, which fired the youthful imagination of the then thirteen-year-old boy. He too must go to this wonderful country, and he too would win fame and fortune in the "Land of the free and the home of the brave." Doubtless his mind was filled (as in the case of most boys of his age) with roseate visions of the future, destined to be crushed by the stern realities of a hard life in a strange land, far from friends and home. But underneath the wild and impossible boyish dreams lay a firm resolve, a determination and strength of purpose, inherited from the sailor father, who had chosen his life in his childish years. The parents at length recognized the fact that the boy was not cherishing a mere whim or fancy, which would be crushed out by harsh experience, but a fixed resolution that must guide and determine his future life. So they consented to his journey, and one morning he bade farewell to the land of his birth a little choking in his throat as the "good-bye" words were spoken, one last look at the dear home faces, the bonny hills of Scotland and was fairly launched on his new life with the parting words of his father ringing in his ears: "Take good care of yourself; keep clean and good company."
After landing in America the young aspirant went to Pittsburgh, Penn., where his brother was living, and bound himself out to his trade, under Col. D. B. Morris, colonel of the One Hundred and First P. V. I., and then came the test of his purposes, a trial to which many an older person would have yielded, and giving up their projects, have returned to the parental roof. Homesick and discouraged he certainly was, and so nearly vanquished by that discouraging feeling that within three weeks from the date of landing in the country of his dreams, the homesick boy would have given all he possessed (in reality the small sum of $10) to return to his dear old Scotland. He must go home. In desperation he started to walk to New York, and getting as far as East Liberty, Penn., he asked a man how much farther it was to New York. He thought if he could reach that city he might be able there to secure passage to Scotland on some ship in the capacity of cabin-boy; but this man took him to a friendly Scotchman, who knew Col. Morris, and he advised the lad to return to his work. The little fellow rallied once more, and returning to his patron, devoted his days to the duties of his apprenticeship, and in order to complete his education attended night-school. He had laid his plans with wisdom far beyond his years, determining to become a master mechanic, and unable to succeed by easier methods he concluded to bind himself out as a four years' apprentice. At that time he was the only "bound boy" in the city of Pittsburgh, but in that way he learned all the various parts of his trade, receiving from $5 to $8 per week during the latter part of his apprenticeship. At the end of four years he had saved $300 from his wages, and was, moreover, an expert workman, a master of his vocation. Just as he stood on the threshold of success at last, he fell sick with typhoid fever, and the $300, so hardly earned and carefully saved, was swept away by the expenses incurred in his illness. But health returned, and with the old heroic spirit of perseverance the young man in 1872 began business at Washington, Washington Co., Penn. From that date fortune, who had so persistently frowned upon the struggling youth, began to shower upon him her richest smiles, seeming at last to realize that here was a spirit deserving of sympathy and encouragement. "It never rains but it pours," and no sooner was his financial success assured than other dreams became a reality. Love crowned the young man's life, and in 1873 he was married to Flora E., daughter of the Rev. J. S. Baldwin, of Amity, Amwell township, this county, whose father is yet living, in Iowa, aged over ninety years. Mrs. Milne is a sister of W. C. Baldwin, of Washington, Penn. Three children have been born to the union of William L. and Flora E. Milne, viz.: Gertrude, Annie Elizabeth Scott and Florena May, all of whom are residing at the parental home. Mr. Milne has a beautiful home on North avenue and Beau street, and the dwelling is adorned by a handsome stucco ceiling of his own making. In 1882 he visited the "old country," and again in 1891, on which occasion he took his family with him, and made a visit to his father, who is yet living in Scotland, now in his seventy-sixth year. In politics Mr. Milne is a Republican, and he is a member of the East Washington council. In religious faith he is a member of the Methodist Protestant Church; socially he is a member of the Royal Arcanum. Among the worthy and notable citizens of Washington none have better deserved success than has the subject of this sketch, as no one will question who knows the history of his early struggles.
Text taken from page 10 of:
Beers, J. H. and Co., Commemorative Biographical Record of Washington County, Pennsylvania (Chicago: J. H. Beers & Co., 1893).Transcribed March 1997 by Neil and Marilyn Morton of Oswego, IL as part of the Beers Project.
Published April 1997 on the Washington County, PA USGenWeb pages at http://www.chartiers.com/.[ [Back to Beers Table of Contents] [Back to Beers Project Page]