Prosser D. McMillen was a dedicated soldier, who reenlisted three times, despite heart issues and being given a certificate of disability from a doctor after his first service.
Born in Shelby, Ohio, Richland County, to Charles and Mary A. Osborne McMillen on February 7, 1844, he was the oldest son with three younger sisters and a much younger brother. In the Federal Census of 1860, he was 16 years old.
But on September 2, 1861, he enlisted in Company I of the 3rd Ohio Cavalry giving his age as 18.
The 3rd regiment of the calvary was organized in Huron County, and by January 14, 1862, they left for Camp Dennison in Cincinnati, then Jeffersonville, Indiana, across from Louisville and finally, in March to Nashville, Tennessee. On April 4, 1862, the group had their first skirmish at Laurenceburg, Tennessee. The unit spent time in Corinth, Mississippi and Alabama and engaged the Confederates in many skirmishes.
However, on November 4, 1862, Prosser McMillen was discharged from the cavalry on a surgeon's certificate of disability after serving one year, two months, and four days. The cause was Heart Trouble, according to the 1890 Veteran's Census. It is assumed he went home, and during that time, he married Elvira Seibert on June 30, 1863, in Defiance County. (On the censuses, she is referred to as Elizabeth or Ellen, possibly a middle name.)
The 1890 census showed two further enlistments for Prosser. First on January 19, 1864, he entered the 2nd Ohio Light Artillery where he served for two months and twenty-four days, mustering out on April 13, 1864. Then from that date until May 5, 1865, he served as a fireman, perhaps in the Navy..
Prosser David McMillen was often called just "David." In both the 1870 and 1880 censuses, he and Ellen were settled in Paulding County. In 1870, the location was Antwerp and by 1880, they were near Cecil and a little, 5 year old daughter was present, Mary E. David took up the occupation of painter and was also mentioned as a timber sawyer earlier.
By 1900, he and Ellen were back in Defiance, living at 205 Seneca Street with their daughter, Mary, and her husband, John Binney, an English immigrant who was a saloon keeper.
Eventually Mary and John followed their fortune to Toledo and Prosser and Ellen rented the residence on Seneca Street. Finally, as they aged, it probably seemed best that they live with their daughter. So at the ages of 75 and 76, Prosser and Ellen E. were located with them on Broadway Street in Toledo. John was the proprietor of a novelty company.
Ellen McMillen passed away in 1920, and Prosser followed on June 3, 1925. Only one death notice could be found for Prosser, and that appeared in the Defiance Crescent-News on June 4, 1925:
"Word has been received of the death of David McMillen at the home of his daughter, Mrs. J. Binney in Toledo Wednesday afternoon. He was a former resident of Defiance, leaving here about fifteen years ago. Funeral services will be held in Toledo Saturday."
The McMillens were buried in Woodlawn Cemetery, Toledo, with Mary and John Binney joining them later.
(This is part of a series on Civil War veterans of Defiance County who were part of the G.A.R., Bishop Post, that headquartered in the city. Formed in 1879, the post was named after a local man, Captain William Bishop, Company D, 100th Regiment, Ohio Volunteer Army who died as a result of wounds received in battle. The veterans' photos are part of a composite photo of members that has survived. If you have other information or corrections to add to the soldiers' stories, please add to the comments!)
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