Benjamin Franklin Millard

Benjamin Franklin Millard (May 5, 1850 – January 27, 1926) was an American businessman, politician, and pioneer of Alaska and Washington. He was the 21st mayor of Chippewa Falls, Wisconsin, and represented Chippewa County in the Wisconsin State Assembly during the 1889 session.

Benjamin F. Millard
21st Mayor of Chippewa Falls, Wisconsin
In office April 1892 – April 1893
Preceded by	Jacob Leinenkugel
Succeeded by	W. H. Stafford
Member of the Wisconsin State Assembly from the Chippewa district
In office January 7, 1889 – January 5, 1891
Preceded by	Thomas J. Cunningham
Succeeded by	James Andrew Taylor
Personal details
Born	(1850-05-05)May 5, 1850 Baraboo, Wisconsin, U.S.
Died	January 27, 1926(1926-01-27) (aged 75) Seattle, Washington, U.S.
Resting place	Cremated
Political party	Republican
Spouses	Eva Buzzell ​ (divorced)​ Ruth Butterfield two earlier wives
Parent	Franklin Millard (father)
Occupation	Lumberman, florist, mine operator

Biography

Benjamin F. Millard was born on May 5, 1850, in Baraboo, Wisconsin. As a child, he moved with his father to Minnesota, then to Menomonie, Wisconsin, in 1858, before finally settling at Chippewa Falls, Wisconsin, in 1861. He came from an impoverished background and went to work in the logging camps around Chippewa Falls.^[1]

He was able to become a majority owner of the Chippewa Falls Woolen and Linen Mills, and owned a number of greenhouses.^[2] He was active with the Republican Party of Wisconsin, and was elected to the Chippewa Falls city council and the Chippewa County board of supervisors. In 1888, he was elected to the Wisconsin State Assembly and served in the 1889 session of the Legislature.^[1] He was defeated running for re-election 1890.^[3] In 1892, however, he was elected mayor of Chippewa Falls, and served a one-year term.

In 1898, he moved to the District of Alaska. There, he organized the Galena Bay Mining Company and purchased a stake in the Bonanza Copper Mine of Alaska. He also owned or part-owned several other mining companies, including the Cliff and Granite Gold Mines.^[2]

Later in life, he relocated to Seattle, Washington, where he died in 1926.^[2]

Personal life and family

Millard married four times. He was survived by two children and his fourth wife.^[2]

Electoral history

Wisconsin Assembly (1888, 1890)

Wisconsin Assembly, Chippewa District Election, 1888^[1]

Party		Candidate	Votes	%	±%
General Election, November 6, 1888
	Republican	Benjamin F. Millard	2,662	48.81%	+10.23%
	Democratic	Robert Patten	2,538	46.53%	−7.78%
	Prohibition	John Bates	254	4.66%	−2.45%
Plurality			124	2.27%	-13.46%
Total votes			5,454	100.0%	+18.21%
	Republican gain from Democratic

Wisconsin Assembly, Chippewa District Election, 1890^[3]

Party		Candidate	Votes	%	±%
General Election, November 4, 1890
	Democratic	James Andrew Taylor	1,562	47.96%	+1.42%
	Republican	Benjamin F. Millard (incumbent)	1,518	46.61%	−2.20%
	Prohibition	Joseph Burrington	177	5.43%	+0.78%
Plurality			44	1.35%	-0.92%
Total votes			3,257	100.0%	-40.28%
	Democratic gain from Republican