GeneaBlogs

Seeking info on brothers Jack McMillen, born 15 Apr 1915 in MO, died Jul 1987 in Fort Collins, CO. Brother Malcolm Eldon “Buddy” McMillen, born 12 Dec 1919 in IL, died 5 Aug 1999 in Fort Collins, CO. Buddy was married to a Marie Weaver on 1 Jan 1941 in Clinton, Dewitt County, IL. They had a son called Chuck.

Their mother was Minnie Alice Hayes, born in 20 Nov 1898 in TN. Their father was a Carl McMillen. The 1920 census shows Minnie McMillen and both boys living with her parents, Thomas and Florence Hayes, in Rochelle, IL. The 1930 census shows Malcolm living with Thomas and Florence but I have been unable to find either Minnie Alice or Jack on that census. I believe the Carl McMillen that served in WWI and signed up in Duenweg, MO, DOB 7 Apr 1892 and born in Dayton, TN, is the Carl McMillen that was married to Alice. I have no absolute proof this is Jack and Malcolm’s father but Minnie Alice’s brothers, Herman Hayes (my grandfather) and George Hayes both signed up for WWI and they both signed up in Duenweg. I do not know if Minnie Alice and Carl were divorced or if Carl died. I know that Alice remarried to a Nels Ericson. I have not been able to find where/when Alice died but do know she probably died after 1968.

My info re: Buddy is from his obit which states he was born in Rochelle, IL to “Carl McMillen” and “Alice Minnie Hayes McMillen”. His obit states his parents, wife, and brother Jack were both dead. It also states his sister, Jewel Sorrel, preceded him in death. This is the first I ever heard of a sister named Jewel. There is family lore that there was a “Jewel that married a Mexican and was ostracized by the family because of an uncle (probably a great-uncle) that was friends with Pancho Vila”. Alice’s sister, Gladys Hayes, had a daughter called “Jewell Sorey” and a son, Clyde Raymond Hayes, that survived her and I assumed it was this Jewell that the story referred to. But I have photos of this Jewell so it always puzzled me as it seemed she was present for family get-togethers. Now I have found this second Jewel?

Buddy’s obit also says he traveled New England during his teen years with a C&W vaudeville show singing, playing guitar, and doing rope tricks. He once had a radio show on WLS Chicago, was a bookkeeper, finally a mail carrier in Fort Collins.

I am seeking any relatives of/info on/photos of Jack and Buddy McMillen, Alice Hayes McMillen, and on Jewel McMillen (or maiden name could be Ericson) Sorrel. I have quite a bit of family genealogy as well as photos of the Hayes side, including 2 photos of Alice with Buddy. I also have 2 or 3 photos of an unknown male, possibly Jack McMillen with wife and kids, including one with Alice and her mother, Florence Tow/Sharp Hayes, this male, an unknown female, and 2 kids.

If there are any relatives out there then PLEASE contact me – I’d love to share info!

Alice Hayes McMillen with son Buddy

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