James Millikin
Encyclopedia
James Millikin is the founder of Millikin University
in Decatur, Illinois
. He was born in Ten Mile, Pennsylvania
.
He began his business career in driving herds of livestock to the mid-west for sale, at the same time buying up land for re-sale. He became known as a livestock breeder and seller. Millikin moved to Decatur in 1856 and made his new home there, getting married the next year.
Later, Millikin became a local banker and helped found Millikin University. When the college opened in 1903, the inaugural address was made by President Theodore Roosevelt
.
He died in Orlando, Florida, on February 25, 1909. His funeral was held at Millikin University in Decatur, Illinois, and he was buried in Greenwood Cemetery in Decatur.
Millikin University
Millikin University is an American co-educational, comprehensive, private, four-year university with traditional undergraduate programs in arts and sciences, business, fine arts, and professional studies, as well as non-traditional, adult degree-completion programs and graduate programs in...
in Decatur, Illinois
Decatur, Illinois
Decatur is the largest city and the county seat of Macon County in the U.S. state of Illinois. The city, sometimes called "the Soybean Capital of the World", was founded in 1823 and is located along the Sangamon River and Lake Decatur in Central Illinois. In 2000 the city population was 81,500,...
. He was born in Ten Mile, Pennsylvania
Pennsylvania
The Commonwealth of Pennsylvania is a U.S. state that is located in the Northeastern and Mid-Atlantic regions of the United States. The state borders Delaware and Maryland to the south, West Virginia to the southwest, Ohio to the west, New York and Ontario, Canada, to the north, and New Jersey to...
.
He began his business career in driving herds of livestock to the mid-west for sale, at the same time buying up land for re-sale. He became known as a livestock breeder and seller. Millikin moved to Decatur in 1856 and made his new home there, getting married the next year.
Later, Millikin became a local banker and helped found Millikin University. When the college opened in 1903, the inaugural address was made by President Theodore Roosevelt
Theodore Roosevelt
Theodore "Teddy" Roosevelt was the 26th President of the United States . He is noted for his exuberant personality, range of interests and achievements, and his leadership of the Progressive Movement, as well as his "cowboy" persona and robust masculinity...
.
He died in Orlando, Florida, on February 25, 1909. His funeral was held at Millikin University in Decatur, Illinois, and he was buried in Greenwood Cemetery in Decatur.