Title: Thomas MacMillan Papers
Inclusive Dates: 1848-1968

Creator:

• MacMillan, Thomas, 1847-1920

Call Number: Local History Manuscript Collection 38

Quantity: 0.4 cubic ft. (1 box)

Repository:

Milwaukee Public Library, Frank P. Zeidler Room

Archival Location:

Milwaukee Public Library (Map)

Abstract:

Papers of Thomas MacMillan, a Scottish immigrant who worked as chief engineer of power plants for the City of Milwaukee for many years. Contains correspondence, clippings, and photographs.

Note:

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Language: English

URL to cite for this finding aid: http://digital.library.wisc.edu/1711.dl/wiarchives.mwpl-lhmc0038

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Thomas McMillan was born 20 April 1847 in Argyleshire, Scotland. He first served an engineer apprenticeship with William Simons & Co. Shipbuilders and left home at the age of 17. At the age of 22 he became a journeyman on trans-Atlantic steamers visiting Canada, the U.S., and South America. During a visit to his sisters near Rockford, Illinois in 1873, he decided to stay in the United States and finally settled in Milwaukee later in that year. He married in 1874 and worked for E.P. Allis Co., spending his first years working with the engines and pumps at North Point pumping station. By 1880, he had become chief engineer of Power Plants for the City of Milwaukee. He retained that job and title until his death on 1 April 1920.

This collection contains items related to Thomas McMillan’s life and career. Items included are photographs and negatives, photographic postcards, newspaper clippings, a marriage license and apprenticeship deed, handwritten notes and correspondence, and a handwritten genealogical record. There is also a book on the life and meditations of Rev. James Hervey of Scotland. This volume has had a rebinding done in 1934. It was printed by Henry Fisher, Caxton, London, and while the volume is undated, it appears to be from the early 1800s.

The collection is arranged alphabetically and then chronologically within each folder.

McMillan, Thomas, Papers, 1848-1968, Collection 38. Local History Manuscript Collections, Milwaukee Public Library, Milwaukee, Wisconsin.

• Milwaukee Water Works. City of Milwaukee Archival Collection 53.

Access Restrictions

There are no access restrictions on the materials. The collection is open to all in accordance with state law. The public may view Local History Manuscript Collections by appointment at the Central Library. To request an in-person appointment, create/login to your Special Collections Account. If you have any questions, please contact the Archives and Special Collections Department at mplarchives@milwaukee.gov.

Use Restrictions

The researcher assumes full responsibility for conforming with the laws of libel, privacy, and copyright which may be involved in the use of this collection (Wisconsin Statutes 19.21-19.39).

Acquisition Information

No acquisition information is currently available. Materials were accessioned as a Local History Manuscript Collection.

Processing Information

Described by Jeffrey K. Carlin-Bartel, Volunteer Archivist, 2013. Processed by Bob Jaeger, 2018.

Box   1 Folder   1	Clippings and Scrapbook Pages, 1920-1968
Box   1 Folder   2	Correspondence, 1873-1940
Box   1 Folder   3	Family History and Genealogy, circa 1933
Box   1 Folder   4	"History of Milwaukee Water Works from Inception in 1872", 1918
Box   1 Folder   5	Legal Documents, 1848-1898
Box   1 Folder   6	McMillan, Thomas, circa 1872 Physical Description: 1 tintype
Box   1 Folder   7	Memoir of the Rev. James Hervey, M.A., compiled by the Rev. David M'Nicoll, undated
Box   1 Folder   8	Photographs and Postcards, 1898-1954, undated