McMillen, John Thomas, 1891-1975.

Prominent Grant County, New Mexico, cattle ranching family.

From the description of John Thomas McMillen family papers, 1880-1975. (New Mexico State University). WorldCat record id: 45912956

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.

From the guide to the John Thomas McMillen Family Papers, 1880-1975, (Archives and Special Collections, New Mexico State University Library)