Will County ILGenWeb Biographies..... 
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File contributed for use by:
Dori Leekly & Margie Glenn

Author: History of Will County, Illinois; Chicago: Wm LeBaron Jr & Co, 186 Dearborn Street, 1878.

Robert MILNE, farmer; P. O. Lockport; was born in Banffshire, Scotland, Feb. 14, 1805; in 
August, 1836, he immigrated to America and settled in Chicago, engaging in the lumber trade, 
buying out the first lumber merchant in Chicago; in the fall of 1839, he returned to Scotland, 
and came again to America in 1840; soon after his return, sold out his business in Chicago, 
and took contracts on the Illinois & Michigan Canal, building five of the locks; in 1846, 
settled in Lockport; here he remained till 1849, when he returned to Chicago, and engaged 
again in the lumber trade, a full partner in the firm of Milne, Fergueson & Co.; this firm 
established an agency at Lockport for the sale of lumber, buying the saw-mills formerly 
erected, and established a planingmill in connection with them; in 1850, he returned to 
Lockport, and has resided here ever since; in 1854, he sold out his interest in the mills 
and lumber trade and purchased the farm on which he now resides. Was married in December 
1846, to lsabell MAITLAND, a native of Scotland; has nine children. In 1869, was appointed 
Canal Commissioner by Gov. Palmer and served four years; in 1874, revisited Scotland, and 
while there purchased some thoroughbred cattle, in the rearing of which he has since 
engaged. Owns 242 acres in Lockport Twp. and 100 acres in Homer Twp. Republican; 
Congregationalist. Mr. MILNE is a very influential and deservedly popular citizen.