Jacksonville in Morgan County, Illinois — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)
Rev. W. H. Milburn
Sept. 21, 1823 - Apr. 10, 1903
| | Blind Chaplain of U.S. Senate | |
Photographed by William Fischer, Jr., October 22, 2025
1. Rev. W. H. Milburn Marker
[Title is text]
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Cemeteries & Burial Sites • Charity & Public Work • Religion & Religious Structures. A significant historical date for this entry is December 22, 1845.
Location. 39° 42.662′ N, 90° 15.084′ W. Marker is in Jacksonville, Illinois, in Morgan County. It can be reached from South Lincoln Avenue. Marker is in Diamond Grove Cemetery Section G. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 1601 South Lincoln Avenue, Jacksonville IL 62650, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Regionally, this marker is in the American Midwest and in the Corn Belt. Globally, it is in North America, the Western Hemisphere, the Western World, and the Anglosphere. Historically, it finds itself in what was once the territory of the Mississippian Culture and also the Northwest Territory.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: William Chauncey Carter (here, next to this marker); Julia Wolcott Carter (a few steps from this marker); Elihu Wolcott (a few steps from this marker); The Greater Illinois School for the Deaf Family (within shouting distance of this marker); Rev. John M. Ellis (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); Joseph O. King (about 500 feet away); William C. Verry (about 700 feet away); Isaac Fort Roe (about 700 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Jacksonville.
Regarding Rev. W. H. Milburn. Although the grave marker offers limited historical information, it appears that Rev. Milburn was the first blind clergy to serve both the U.S. House and Senate.
U.S. House of
this page online
MILBURN, William Henry, a House Chaplain; born in Philadelphia, Philadelphia County, Pa., September 26, 1823; attended Illinois College, Jacksonville, Ill.; clerk; ordained in the Methodist Episcopal Church in 1843; joined Protestant Episcopal Church in 1865; preacher; lecturer; joined Methodist Episcopal Church in 1871; elected Chaplain of the United States House of Representatives to the Twenty-ninth Congress (December 22, 1845December 6, 1846); elected Chaplain of the United States House of Representatives to the Thirty-third Congress (December 7, 1853December 3, 1855); elected Chaplain of the United States House of Representatives to the Forty-ninth and to the three succeeding Congresses (December 7, 1885March 4, 1893); elected Chaplain of the United States Senate to the Fifty-third and to four succeeding Congresses until his death on April 10, 1903 (April 6, 1893April 10, 1903); died April 10, 1903, in Santa Barbara, Calif.; interred in Jacksonville, Ill.
Also see . . . Opening Day of the Worlds Columbian Exposition in Chicago, Part 5: Invocation by the Blind Chaplain. (Submitted on October 28, 2025, by William Fischer, Jr. of Reynoldsburg, Ohio.)
Photographed by William Fischer, Jr., October 22, 2025
2. Rev. W. H. Milburn Marker
Credits. This page was last revised on October 28, 2025. It was originally submitted on October 28, 2025, by William Fischer, Jr. of Reynoldsburg, Ohio. This page has been viewed 27 times since then and 14 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on October 28, 2025, by William Fischer, Jr. of Reynoldsburg, Ohio.
