HON. BENTON McMILLIN, twice governor of his native state and for twenty consecutive years a member of congress, has long been prominent in the vital political activities of the state of Tennessee, and has played well his part in all the relations of life, giving the best that was in him to every duty that he recognized as such. Born in Monroe county, Tennessee, on September 11, 1845, Mr. McMILLIN passed his boyhood in those pursuits common to youth, and when his academic education was completed in his native community he was matriculated at the University of Kentucky. There he gave his attention to the study of law, and after his graduation was admitted to the bar in 1871 and at Celina, Tennessee, began the practice of his chosen profession. His ability soon found him launched on a promising career as a lawyer and politician, and in 1874 he was elected to the legislature on the Democratic ticket. This service marked the beginning of a long and successful political career in the state of Tennessee.
In 1875 Governor PORTER, in recognition of his ability, appointed him to negotiate with the state of Kentucky for the purchase of a certain territory, a commission which the young statesman carried out with the utmost fidelity, and in a manner betraying unusual legal ability. In the following year Mr. McMILLIN took a prominent and active part in the presidential campaign and was a Tilden and Hendricks elector in his district. In 1877 Governor PORTER appointed him to the post of special circuit judge, in which capacity he served with the most exceptional ability and credit until he was elected, in 1878, a representative in congress from the fourth Tennessee district. As a member of congress Mr. McMILLIN won the confidence of his constituents to an unusual degree, and he was reelected at each succeeding biennial election up to and including the year 1893, thus rounding out a period of service covering twenty consecutive years as a member of congress. During these years he achieved a national reputation as an able representative and party leader, and he served on many important committees in congress.
The close of his tenth term as congressman was followed by his election in 1898 to the governorship of his state, and the character of his service and his statewide popularity was evidenced by his second election to the office in 1900. He thus served two terms in a manner highly creditable to himself and to his state, and retired from that high office with a record for efficiency and ability to which his fellow citizens point with pride. In 1912 he was again nominated for the office, but failed of election.
Nashville has represented his home for many years, and has in many definite ways felt the benignant influence which has ever characterized his life.
Mr. McMILLIN has been twice married. He was united in marriage with a daughter of the late Gov. John C. BROWN, of Tennessee. She died soon after their marriage, and Mr. McMILLIN contracted a second marriage.
Source: Hale, Will T, and Dixon L. Merritt. A History of Tennessee and Tennesseans: The Leaders and Representative Men in Commerce, Industry and Modern Activities. Chicago: Lewis Pub. Company, 1913. Volume 4, pg. 857-858.
