George McMillan is numbered among the pioneer settlers of Ohio who aided in laying the foundation for the present prosperity, progress and advanced position of the state. His work and labors identified him with the development of the county through the first half of the century. He was born in Perry county, Pennsylvania, reared upon a farm, and was a son of George McMillan, a native of Scotland, who crossed the Atlantic in Colonial days. When the colonies attempted to throw off the yoke of British oppression he joined the army and valiantly fought for the independence of the nation, serving as colonel and quartermaster. He was a man of deep religious principles, identified with the Presbyterian church, and had family worship in his home three times each day.

Mr. McMillan, of this review, came to Ohio in 1807. He carried the unique letter of recommendation which follows:

"That George McMillan is a single man, and though he has never applied for any affiliating ordinances, yet he has punctually attended the preaching of the gospel and is free from any charge of scandal or ground of church censure known to us. Is certified at Shearman's Valley, Cumberland county, Pennsylvania, September 23d, 1807. "By JOHN LINN, U.D.M."

The traveler of today who speeds over the country in a "lightning express" and notes the highly cultivated farms and thriving towns and villages through which he passes can form no adequate conception of the condition of the country at that day. Much of the state was covered with a dense growth of forest trees, the soil was very damp and unfit for cultivation, and the Indian settlers were far more numerous than the white men. Mr. McMillan made his way to his new home on horseback and purchased one hundred and sixty acres of land from a Mr. Sewall, the tract being what now comprises the Miami fair grounds. This was wild and unimproved, but he possessed the courageous spirit of the pioneer which faces hardships, difficulties and dangers in order to make a home on the frontier. During the war of 1812 he loyally responded to the country's call for aid, and took part in the second period of hostilities with the mother country. He was married in 1816 to Miss Rebecca McKey, who was born March 27, 1799, in Ohio, being a representative of one of the oldest families of the state. Her parents were William and Jane McKey. Six children were born unto our subject and his wife: Marshal A., born September 1, 18l7, died August 3, 1836, at the age of eighteen years; Silas P., born October 16, 1819, died March 16, 1876; Eliza Jane, born July 4, 1822 became the wife of James McKaig; Lucinda and Angelinda were born August 5,1825 and the latter died at the age of eighteen years; and Eusebia, born September 29 1834, died in 1843.

Mr. McMillan, of this review, was a very industrious man and prosecuted his agricultural labors with great energy and determination. He performed the arduous task of cutting down trees, clearing away the stumps and preparing the land for cultivation, and when this was done he planted .his crops after the primitive manner of the times and later bore his part in the work of the harvest fields. He owned one hundred and sixty acres of land, all of which is now within the city limits of Troy, and there he resided until his death, which occurred in 1840. He was a man of high moral character whose strict regard for honesty, fair dealing, justice and right won him the unqualified confidence of his neighbors, and all with whom he was associated in business transactions. Soon after his death the family removed to Troy, where his wife died in 1850. The only surviving member of the family is Lucinda, but the family name is indelibly impressed on the pages of the pioneer history of Miami county, and the individual worth of Mr. and Mrs. McMillan caused their memory to be cherished by the surviving pioneers and friends who knew them in life.