Carl Christian Johann Frederick Martin "Fred" Milhan was born October 27, 1849 in Gross Wokern, Germany, the same hometown of August Heiden and Heinrich Rambow (Fred's brother-in-law). Fred's parents were Johann and Marie (Möller) Milhan.

In the 1867 census in Rostock, Germany, Carl "Fred" was listed as a 17 year old border in the house of Wilhelm Westien.   His occupation was recorded as a Drechslermeister which translates to master wood turner.

Fred came to America in 1873, departing on April 23rd from Hamburg on the S.S. Hammonia. This was only about two months before fellow residents of Gross Wokern, Augst and Rika Heiden and their family took the journey on the S.S. Saxonia. The Heidens eventually settled on a farm at 8700 S. Custer Road, less than a mile west of Fred's place.

Fred lived in Monroe for a short time before moving to a farm at 7950 S Custer Road in Raisinville Township. He built a log cabin there which, with periodic upgrades, served as his home for the rest of his life. His daughter, Wilhelmina "Minnie" Milhan lived in the house until her death in 1973 after which it was torn down.

He was married to Henrietta Griese on February 4, 1873 in Monroe. Hattie was born on February 4, 1853 in Baden-Würtemberg, Germany.

In 1874, Fred's sister, Wilhelmine Rambow (Mrs. Heinrich, Jr) and her family followed and eventually settled on a farm at 7800 Sourth Custer Road a short distance east of Fred's farm. The Rambows also brought Fred's younger siblings, Fredareka, William and Christopher Milhan with them. Their mother, Marie (Möller) Milhan died only a week or two before departure. She was supposed to come along also.

Fred and Henrietta had seven children.

  1. John F. Milhan born January 1875
  2. Wilhelmina "Minnie" Milhan born 1876
  3. Friedrick Milhan Jr. Born: 22 Jun 1881 d: Abt. 1949
  4. William Milhan born April 1885
  5. Helena Kirk married to Clarence Kirk of Monroe, MI
  6. Lois Ann Godfred of Los Gatos, CA
  7. Henry D. Milhan Born: 08 Jan 1899 d: Abt. 1968

After living 100 years and 7 months, Fred passed away on June 10, 1950 in Raisinville Township. Henrietta preceded him in death on August 20, 1930 at the age of 77. Both are buried at St Matthew Lutheran cemetery.
 

Frederic Milhon [sic] (30) and wife, Hattie (27) were listed as living on a farm in Raisinville Township with their children, John (6), Minnie (4) and Anna (1).

Both Hattie and Fred were shown as being born in Mecklenburg, Germany. His parents were also born in Mecklenburg while Hattie's were born in Baden, Germany.
Fred (50) and Henrietta (47) were living on their farm on South Custer Road with children John (25)  Wilhelmina "Minnie" (24), Anna (21), Fred Jr. (18), Helena (17), William (15), Henry (10). Other relatives on the same page included John Heiden and Bertha Burgard.
Living at the same farm on South Custer. Fred (60) and Henrietta (57) with their son, Henry (21) and his wife, Estella and their child, Gilbert (2).
Same address with Fred (70) and Henrietta (67) with their daughter Wilhelmina "Minnie" (44)
Same address with Fred (80) and Henrietta (77) with their daughter Wilhelmina "Minnie" (54). Note: Henrietta died in August of 1930.
 
The address of the house was given for the first time as 7950 South Custer Road. At the time of the census, Fred was 100 years old and was living with his daughter, Minnie who was 74 years of age. Fred died on June 10, 1950. Minnie continued to live on the property until her death in 1973. After that, the house which was first a log cabin in the 1870s was torn down.

Fred and Henrietta were living in Raisinville Township with their 6 children and working a 64 acre farm that they owned. They had 3 horses and 4 cows and a telephone.

"The clipping I have of Great Uncle Frederick Milhan when he celebrated his 90th birthday said he came to America in 1873. He located in Monroe for 2 years. He built his own log house in the woods there. He purchased his land with money earned on the farms of others, timbers from the trees felled from his own land and stone for the home's foundation was taken from the quarry opened upon his own property."