John Jones Milligan (December 10, 1795– April 20, 1875) was an American lawyer and politician from Wilmington, in New Castle County, Delaware. He was a member of the Whig Party, who served as United States Representative from Delaware.

Early life and family

Milligan was born December 10, 1795 in Bohemia Manor, Cecil County, Maryland, son of Robert Milligan and Sarah Jones. He grew up in Wilmington, Delaware and attended Wilmington Academy and St. Mary?s College in Baltimore. He attended Princeton College in 1814, but was expelled for "refusing to obey the lawful command of the presiding officer in the dining room." ^[1] He studied law with his brother-in-law Louis McLane and was admitted to the bar in 1818, and began practice in New Castle County, Delaware.

Political career

Milligan served eight years representing Delaware in the U.S. House of Representatives. Elected as an Anti-Jacksonian in 1830, he became a member of the Whig Party when it was organized and served from March 4, 1831 until March 3, 1839. Having been defeated for reelection to a fifth term, he was appointed associate judge of the Delaware Superior Court on September 19, 1839, and served until September 16, 1864, when he retired.

Death and legacy

Milligan died April 20, 1875 at his retirement home in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, and is buried in the Wilmington and Brandywine Cemetery, Wilmington, Delaware.

Milligan is described in the Diaries of Edmund Canby as follows: "...(he)...is a beautiful speaker, his manner is fine, gestures good, matter well arranged, distinct and clear- certainly one of the most delightful speakers I have ever heard...Milligan would be a splendid speaker with practice...he has many happy hits and some beautiful classical illusions...He is, I am told, a fine classical scholar." ^[2]

Public offices

At this time Delaware elections were held the first Tuesday of November. Members of the U.S House took office March 4 and served for a term of two years.

Office	Type	Location	Elected	Took Office	Left Office	notes
U.S. Representative	Legislature	Washington	1830	March 4, 1831	March 3, 1833
U.S. Representative	Legislature	Washington	1832	March 4, 1833	March 3, 1835
U.S. Representative	Legislature	Washington	1834	March 4, 1835	March 3, 1837
U.S. Representative	Legislature	Washington	1836	March 4, 1837	March 3, 1839
State Superior Court	Judicial	Dover		September 19, 1839	September 16, 1864	Election results Year Office Subject Party votes % Opponent Party votes % 1830 U.S. Representative John J. Milligan Whig 4,267 53% Henry M. Ridgely Democratic 3,833 47% 1832 U.S. Representative John J. Milligan Whig 4,257 51% Martin W. Bates Democratic 4,142 49% 1834 U.S. Representative John J. Milligan Whig 4,779 51% James A. Bayard, Jr. Democratic 4,626 49% 1836 U.S. Representative John J. Milligan Whig 4,705 53% Martin W. Bates Democratic 4,247 47% 1838 U.S. Representative John J. Milligan Whig 4,379 50% Thomas Robinson, Jr. Democratic 4,437 50% Notes ↑ ↑ References External links Seal of the US Senate United States Congress Senate ? Senators ? Senate elections ? Senate Committees House ? Districts ? Representatives ? House elections ? House Committees 22nd Congress ? 23rd Congress ? 24th Congress ? 25th Congress Seal of the US House