In the early 1900's John Robert McMillen moved to the Norwich area not far
from the location of the current family farm (only 1 mile in fact). John was
the great grandfather of Jim and Dan McMillen (current owner). When Dan's
grandfather, Jack Hastings McMillen was three years old in 1918, John Robert
moved the family to lot 19 concession 6 in Norwich Township - its present
location. Interestingly enough hydro service came pre-installed with the
farm when it was purchased - a rarity in those days.
The McMillen family were able to continue their farming of livestock and cash
crops throughout the years of the Great Depression when many farmers found it
difficult and in the early 1940's the first John Deere tractor was purchased and
the first milking machine installed. Also in the early 1940's (June 28,
1942) the eventual founder of McMillen's Iris Garden was born, John Arthur
McMillen.
Farming was a way of life for generations of McMillen's whether it be pigs,
cows, horses, chickens, raspberries or other cash crops but it was not always
easy to make ends meet on farming alone. Although Jack was struck with
polio when he was young he proved a hard worker on the farm and when times were
tough he took a job at Truck Engineering in Woodstock to help support the farm.
As a result of his polio Jack was not drafted into the army during World War II
which allowed him to stay home to work the farm and look after his growing
family.
His son John, growing up on the farm, had an interest in farming all of his
life and enrolled in a two-year Farm Management course at Fanshawe College in
Woodstock in 1968-69 to further his interest. One year John planted a few
iris on the farm with the thoughts of selling a few locally when he had the
time. After his instructor at the college suggested taking a few to a
garden centre in Tillsonburg where they were purchased (unbeknownst to John the
manager of the garden centre was the instructor's mother!) and McMillen's
Iris Garden was born almost overnight.
John's son Dan now runs the farm and the business although there have been
'John sightings' as of late as father and son work together to bring a little
bit of beauty into the world.
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