William A. Milnes, JR. Bridge
One of our town residents, Clement Shifflett (now deceased), had suggest we should somehow honor Mr. Milnes. A proposal was made to name the bridge over the Shenandoah River after him. Upon receiving the necessary approvals, the bridge was dedicated on Sunday, November 2, 2008, with twelve Milnes’ descendants present for the ceremony. The family was very appreciative of having the bridge named after their great-great grandfather.
In 1865, William Milnes, Jr. was one of the group of men from Pennsylvania who purchased some 35,000 acres of land, including Shenandoah Iron Works, Catherine Furnace, a Forge at Shenandoah, Furnace No. 2 on Naked Creek and the equipment, from the Forrer brothers, Shenandoah’s original founders. Mr. Milnes remained behind as Manager of the Shenandoah Iron Company. Mr. Milnes was very instrumental in getting the railroad, known as the Shenandoah Valley Railroad, completed from Hagerstown, MD to Shenandoah. The town bore the name of Shenandoah Iron Works, The Forge, Milnes, Shenandoah City, and Shenandoah, and was actually incorporated under the name of Milnes on February 12, 1884. Mr. Milnes donated land for each church denomination, 60 acres were donated to the railroad company, and lots on Third Street were donated for the public school.
From Page News and Courier “Yesteryears” Thursday August 21 2014. 125 Years Ago August 22, 1889.
Milnes dies
As had been expected almost daily for several weeks past, Hon. William Milnes died at his home in this county last Wednesday evening about 5o’clock, and was buried with Masonic honors in the town that bears his name on last Saturday. Mr. Milnes came to page soon after the war, and was manager and part owner of the iron works, as the active friend and promoter of every enterprise looking to the material advancement of our county, was soon a recognized leader in the business affairs not only of Page County but everywhere he was known. To his influence in interesting capital in the enterprise and to his indomitable energy in prosecuting the work is due in large measure the beginning and successful completion of the Shenandoah Valley Railroad. He was a liberal, generous man, with large sympathy for the laboring man, and hundreds of that class who have been in his employ in this county feel now that he is dead that they have lost a friend whose place in their affection will be hard to fill. He was a devoted believer in Christianity, a member of the Methodist Church at Milnes, and exercised a wide and healthful influence in all the work of the church.
