Lois Millar (1885 - 1908)

Born 25 Dec 1885 in Bloom Township, Cook, Illinois, USA

Ancestors

Died 8 Jun 1908 at age 22 in Palo Alto, Santa Clara, California

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Biography

Miss Lois Millar was born 25 Dec 1885 in Bloom Township, Cook, Illinois, USA to Andrew E. Millar and Mary Helen (Sloan) Millar.^[1]

To date, not much is known about Miss Millar's early life. In 1900 she was living with her parents and siblings in Tuscola Township, Douglas, Illinois. She was 14 years old and a "student at school".^[2]

Sometime after 1900 the Millar family left Illinois and moved to the San Francisco Bay area of California, USA.^[3]

While attending Santa Rosa High School in Santa Rosa, Sonoma, California, United States, Lois was involved in different activities. She was a member of the debating society at both her school and her church and she was also involved in musical endeavors. In a debate that was held at her school in the Assembly Hall on 28 April 1903. The orators were contesting for a silver cup which was to be presented by the Class of 1903. Miss Millar was debating with her fellow classmates, three young men. The subject for the debate was "Shall Emigration to the United States be Further Restrained by Law?".^[4] Lois debated the affirmative side with one young man, while the other two young men debated the negative side. Lois was not the winner of the Silver Cup, but she did receive a "hearty round of applause" along with the other speakers.^[5] On 16 October 1903, she gave a vocal solo during "Ladies Night" with the Neos Aion, the young men's debating society of the First Methodist Episcopal Church in Santa Rosa.^[6]

Lois graduated from San Rafael High School in San Rafael, Marin, California, United States on 30 May 1904. San Rafael is about 40 miles south of Santa Rosa. The Commencement exercises were held in the Opera House in San Rafael.^[7]

Lois later became a student at Stanford University in Palo Alto, San Carlos, California, where she was studying law. She was a member of the Methodist Church and had been active in the Young People's Society of Epworth League. The Epworth League is a Methodist young adult association that was founded in 1889 and was for young adults from age 18 to 35.^[8] In July 1906, Lois participated, along with other young people, in a musical entertainment give by the Epworth League at the "Opera House" that was declared a success by the appreciative audience.^[9] She was also engaged in temperance work in San Rafael, Marin, California.^[10]

Unfortunately, just short of finishing the law course at Stanford, Lois became ill, suffering from appendicitis. After complications set in Lois died on 8 Jun 1908, a mere 22 years old, in Palo Alto.^[11] Her funeral services were held in the Methodist Church in Palo Alto.^[10]

Obituary

Miss Lois Millar, eldest daughter of Mr. and Mrs. A. E. Millar of this City died Wednesday, June 17th in the Guild Hospital in Palo Alto.

Miss Millar was a young lady of noble character and high attainments. Had it not been for illness she would have finished the law course in Stanford University this year. But shortly after she returned to school in January she was taken ill and had to undergo an operation for appendicitis. For this she recovered so as to come home, where she remained till about two weeks ago when she was taken suddenly ill and had to return to the hospital for a second operation. This proved unsuccessful.

Her death comes as a heavy loss to her friends here and at Stanford where she was greatly loved. She was a member of the Methodist church and while here had been very active in the Young People's Society of Epworth League. The funeral services were held Thursday afternoon in the Methodist church in Palo Alto and were conducted by the Rev. C. a. Richardson of that church, and Rev. J. L. Burcham of San Rafael. A large number of her friends attended from here.^[10]

Sources

1. ↑ "Illinois, Cook County, Birth Certificates, 1871-1940," database, FamilySearch (FamilySearch Record: NQY2-QYY : 18 May 2016), Lois Miller, 25 Dec 1885; citing Chicago, Cook, Illinois, United States, reference/certificate cn 14502, Cook County Courthouse, Chicago; FHL microfilm 1,287,778
2. ↑ "United States Census, 1900," database with images, FamilySearch (FamilySearch Record: MS7P-FVH : accessed 8 March 2021), Lois Miller in household of A E Miller, Tuscola Township Tuscola city Ward 1-3, Douglas, Illinois, United States; citing enumeration district (ED) 59, sheet 14A, family 303, NARA microfilm publication T623 (Washington, D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration, 1972.); FHL microfilm 1,240,298.
3. ↑ Personal knowledge of Robin Shaules, great-niece, from conversations with Edna (Millar) Dodge, Lois' sister
4. ↑ Will Have Debate, Press Democrat, Volume XXIX, Number 164, 28 April 1903, page 8.
5. ↑ Debating Contest, Press Democrat, Volume XXIX, Number 165, 29 April 1903, page 5.
6. ↑ Neos Aion Gave a Ladies' Night, Press Democrat, Volume XXIX, Number 258, 17 October 1903, page 8.
7. ↑ Sausalito News, Volume 20, Number 22, 28 May 1904, page 3.
8. ↑ Wikipedia contributors, "Epworth League," Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia, Epworth League (accessed March 8, 2021)
9. ↑ The Concert Was a Success, Marin Journal, Volume 47, Number 27, 19 July 1906, page 3
10. ↑ ^{10.0 10.1 10.2} Miss Lois Millar Obituary
11. ↑ "California Death Index, 1905-1939," database with images, FamilySearch (FamilySearch Record: QKSM-SVQ3 : 8 November 2017), Lois Miller, 1908; citing 16842, Department of Health Services, Vital Statistics Department, Sacramento; FHL microfilm 1,686,046.

See also:

• Death Announcement, Press Democrat, Volume XXXIV, Number 147, 21 June 1908, page 4.

• Obituary, The Marin Journal, Volume 49, Number 27, 25 June 1908, Page 8.