Moving on to Wisconsin

Biographical History of La Crosse, Monroe and Juneau Counties, Wisconsin. The Lewis Publishing Company, 1892. Submitted by Arlene Goodwin. The submitter has no relation to the individuals listed in the biographies.

George W. Millegan
Ferdinand T. Field
L.J. Boorman

George W. Millegan, M. D., of Sparta is the pioneer physician of Monroe county. He was born in Green county, New York, where he was reared and educated, he began the study of medicine. From New York State he went to Pittsfield, Massachusetts, where he graduated from Berkshire Medical College. In 1852 he came to Sparta, where he immediately entered upon the practice of his profession, and has the honor of being the pioneer physician of the county. He has always had an extensive practice, being well and favorably known throughout Western Wisconsin. Beginning his practice in the early days of the history of Monroe county, then practically upon the frontier of Wisconsin civilization, he has witnessed the growth and progress of the country from a state of wilderness to its present wealth and prosperity. Dr. Millegan’s parents were for some time residents of Sparta, where his mother died. The father afterward went to Montana, where he died and is now buried at Helena.

The subject of our sketch was one of nine children, consisting of seven sons and two daughters. He was a married in Sparta to Mrs. Clara A. D. Lincoln, widow of G. W. Lincoln: her maiden name was Clara Dorwin.

Dr. Millegan holds a prominent position among the medical fraternity, and is highly esteemed, both professionally and socially, in the community where he has lived so long. 

Ferdinand T. Field, M. D., Elroy, Wisconsin, engaged in the practice of his profession in the city in January, 1885. He was born in Greene county, New York, in 1851. George Field, his father, emigrated with his family to Wisconsin early in the ‘60’s, and located at Reedsburg. In 1887 he removed to Elroy, where he now resides; he has been twice married, and is the father of seven children, six of whom are now living, three sons and three daughters. Dr. Field is a child of the second marriage. In his youth he resolved to enter the medical profession, and with this in view pursued his studies in the public schools and Elroy Seminary, being a student at the latter place for two years; he also took a course in the State Normal School at Oshkosh. In the meantime he made a special study of anatomy and physiology under Dr. C. E. Booth, of Elroy.

As it was necessary for the Doctor to pay his own expenses in school, he taught until he had saved sufficient means to take him through the medical department of the State University of Michigan, at Ann Arbor. All his leisure time was occupied with one, all-absorbing theme, and not a moment was lost that might be spent in preparing himself for his life’s work. In 1881 he entered the University, and was graduated in 1884; in August of that year he began practice at Antigo, but in January, 1885, he removed to Elroy; here he has won a fine practice, the result of careful, skillful work. He is highly esteemed professionally and as a citizen, and is worthy to fulfil any mission to which he may be called.

Dr. Field was married, at Winneconne, Winnebago county, Wisconsin, in May, 1886, to Miss Mary Devinney. He is an honored member of the order of A. F. & A. M. 

L. J. Boorman & Co., undertakers, and dealers in furniture, picture frames, wall paper, curtains, carpets, etc.—The business was established in 1872, by J. F. Boorman, now deceased, and they carry a stock of about $5,000, and do an annual business of $10,000. The father of our subject, J. F. Boorman, was born in Greene county, New York, January 27, 1836, and died December 7, 1890. He was a son of John and Mary (Reeder) Boorman, of English extraction. When he was about five years of age his parents moved to Walworth county, Wisconsin, where he spent the remainder of his life. He was reared to farm life, and devoted himself to the same until he engaged in the furniture business, in 1871. He was married November 21, 1861, to Lizzie Alexander, who was born in Ireland, March 28, 1840, and they had one child,--Lemont J., the latter was born in Tomah, July 26, 1865, and is a graduate of the high school of this city. In 1888 he formed a partnership with his father in business, and July 1, 1891, he became the head of the firm, which he still controls. Politically, he affiliates with the Republican party, and socially he is a member of M. W. of A. Mr. Boorman was married July 1, 1889, to Miss Ethel Whitfield, who was born in Wisconsin, January 21, 1870, a daughter of John A. and Elizabeth Whitfield, both now deceased. Mr. and Mrs. Boorman have had born one child: Marjorie, born April 26, 1891, and died February 16, 1892. 

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