Felix McMillen, a pioneer settler of Comanche-co., died at his home in the Ridge Summit neighborhood early Monday morning as the result of a heart attack. His death came as a great shock to his family and friends since he had not been bedfast and was apparently enjoying his usual health until a short while before he was stricken by the attack.

Funeral services were conducted in the First Christian Church of this city Tuesday afternoon at 2:30, and burial was made in the Wilmore cemetery. A large number of people attended the funeral of the departed whose death called another of the few remaining pioneers of this section.

Felix Martin McMillen, born in Casper, Logan county, Kentucky January 30th, 1848, son of Mr. and Mrs. James Ninevan McMillen, of a great family of McMillens who were early settlers in Kentucky. His father and grandfather lived to be near the century mark, living all the time in Logan county, near Casper. His father being a farmer in the early days, the son Felix followed him in the same. At the age of 22 he was married to Henrietta McMillen of Casper, Kentucky, and to this union was born a son. Mrs. McMillen lived eighteen months after marriage; the son lived to be three months old. After the death of his wife he remained in Kentucky four years when he went to Golden City, Missouri.

From Missouri he came to Kansas in 1886 by covered wagon route, accompanying the Baker, Wright and Powell families, well-known Comanche-co., pioneers. He homesteaded the place seven miles northeast of Wilmore, suffering the hardships and sacrifices with the other early settlers of this section. On October 14th, 1900, he was married to Mrs. Martha Hopkins of Coldwater, Kansas, and to this union were born six children; Mrs. Louisa Kennedy, Martin Jr., Mary, Clarice, Alice and Florence, who have spent their lives on the farm their father settled.

For the past ten years Mr. McMillen has been in ill health and has remained close at home. A neighbor remarks, "he was always trying to do what he could though he was unable, he would not give up." Mrs. McMillan says that he was a good man and a good husband. He united with the Methodist church at the age of twenty-four. he always favored its teachings. The children have shown their loyalty to, and esteem for their father by standing by him in his ill health. Mrs. E. B. Coles of Coldwater, who has known Mr. McMillen from early school days, says that he always made good his word.

He passed from this life, October 25th, 1926, at 6:45 a.m. after a long illness. He went as he wished to, suddenly without suffering in death at the age of seventy-seven years, eight months and 26 days. He leaves surviving him his wife, six children, one grandson, Harold Raymond Kennedy, a step-daughter Hazel Hopkins McMillen, and many relatives and friends.

Mr. McMillen had thirteen brothers and sisters. He was the third in age of the large circle. Of the number he is the only one who resided in Kansas.

"Felix M. McMillen was born 1848 in Casper, Kentucky. In 1886, he moved from Missouri to Comanche County with the Baker, Wright, and Powell families traveling in covered wagons. McMillen homesteaded 7 miles east of Wilmore and lived in a dugout until he could build a house. He hauled his lumber by team and wagon from Kinsley, which was 60 miles north of his claim. McMillen met Martha Hopkins while she was working for Mrs. Will Powell. His house was built and he married Martha in 1900. There were six McMillen children and one half-sister: Hazel Ellen (McMillen) Hopkins, 1898 - 1944; Louisa Helen (McMillen) Kennedy, 1901 - , of Greensburg, Kansas; Martin B. McMillen, 1904 - 1943; Mary Ella (McMillen) Gill, 1907 - , of Fresno, Calif.; Clarice Estelle (McMillen) Fry, 1910 - , of Wilmore, Kans.; Alice Grace (McMillen) Atteberry, 1913 - 1978; Flossie Melissa (McMillen) Trummel, 1917 - , of Coldwater, Kansas." -- Louisa Kennedy, Comanche County History, Vol I, p. 564.

Also see:

Alice Grace (McMillen) Atteberry, daughter of Felix and Martha McMillen.

Martin Boyd McMillen, son of Felix and Martha McMillen.

Hazel Ellen Hopkins, daughter of Martha Hopkins; step-daughter of Felix McMillen.

Clarice E. (McMillen) Fry, daughter of Felix and Martha McMillen.

Louisa Helen (McMillen) Kennedy, daughter of Felix and Martha McMillen.

Memories of Lew Baker: The Baker & Powell Families

The Powell Trek to Comanche County, Kansas

The Memoirs of Grant Lucius Wright

James E. Wright

The spelling of the McMillen surname was spelled incorrectly in the obituary in various places as McMilan, McMillan and McMillian.

Thanks to Shirley Brier for finding, transcribing and contributing the above news article to this web site!

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