Richard M. Milburn


Richard M. Milburn was an American lawyer and politician who served as the twenty-first Indiana Attorney General from January 1, 1915, to November 9, 1915.

Biography

Early life and education

Sources disagree about whether Milburn was born in Portersville, Dubois County, Indiana or in neighboring Daviess County, Indiana. Previous generations of the Milburn family lived in Virginia, then Tennessee, and then Kentucky, where Milburn's father, Richard F. Milburn, was born. After Richard F. was born, the family moved again to Dubois County.
Richard M. Milburn attended public school in Daviess County before attending Indiana State University in Terre Haute, graduating from the school in 1881. He also attended Indiana University, Cumberland University, and Columbia Law School. He returned to Dubois County and settled in Jasper following the conclusion of his education. Milburn was admitted to the bar in 1888.

Political career

Milburn, a Democrat, served as county attorney of Dubois County from 1903 to 1905.
Milburn served in the Indiana Senate, representing Daviess and Dubois counties.
Milburn was elected Indiana Attorney General in 1914, defeating Republican candidate Ele Stansbury. He served in the administration of Democratic Governor Samuel M. Ralston. He appointed Horace M. Kean as assistant attorney general, Roy Naftzger as deputy attorney general, Michael A. Sweeney as traveling deputy, Omer Stokes Jackson as second deputy, Edna Wickens as stenographer, and Wilbur T. Gruber as deputy stenographer. As Attorney General, Milburn spoke at a session of the Indiana State Board of Health about state insanity laws. Milburn also helped to modify a notable 1910 injunction against fire insurance companies operating within Indiana.

Personal life and death

Milburn taught law for twelve years at Indiana University in Bloomington.
Milburn was a cousin of Carl M. Gray, a state senator and noted jurist who made many important contributions to Indiana law. Milburn inspired Gray to become a lawyer after Gray attended a murder trial where Milburn was part of the defense team.
Less than a year into his term as Attorney General, Milburn grew ill and died in November 1915.