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Loren Holcombe Milliman was born in Ashland, Wisconsin on August 29, 1901, to Loren Douglas Milliman and Grace E. Holcombe. Loren Sr., taught current literature and creative writing at the University of Washington and sat on its Board of Directors. He also served as president of the Seattle Writers' Club for over thirty years. This career may have influenced his son, Loren Jr., who received both his B.A. (1922) and master's (1927) degrees in journalism from the University of Washington.
Loren Holcombe Milliman enjoyed a long and illustrious career in journalism, specializing in grange and farm features. He worked as city editor of the Vancouver (WA) Columbian from 1923 to 1924. And, like his father, Milliman alternated his newspaper work with teaching. He was on the faculty of the English Department at the University of Washington from 1924-1926 and taught journalism at the University of New York.
Milliman returned to newspaper work on staff at the Oregonian from 1932-1946. His story about the Tillamook fire was published in The Best News Stories of 1933. He initiated and edited the Oregonian's Farm, Home and Garden Section in 1935 and continued in this capacity until 1946.
In the interim, Milliman became editor of Better Fruit Magazine in April 1938. He acquired ownership of the magazine with Ursel C. Narver in July of the same year, and continued as editor and copublisher until he sold it in 1969. Because of his involvement with the magazine Milliman was listed Who's Who through the 1950's and in World Wide Commerce and Industry Who's Who in 1967.
Loren Holcombe Milliman was very active in community affairs. A member of the Oregon State Grange for over thirty years, he also served as editor of the Oregon Grange Bulletin from 1962-1968. He helped organize and served as first president of the Portland Newspaper Guild (1941-1946).
Milliman's interest in agriculture and gardening extended throughout his lifetime. He was a member of the Vancouver Chrysanthemum Society (president in 1971) and was active in the Portland Men's Garden Club, serving as director from 1947-1948.
Milliman and Maria De Long, as descedant of President McKinley, were married June 1, 1924. They had two children; a daughter, Grace Marie, and a son, Loren Douglas.
Loren Holcombe Milliman died of complications following a heart attack on March 23, 1975. At the age of 73.
Loren Holcombe Milliman Papers consist of correspondence, manuscripts, radio scripts, speeches, printed material, financial material, notes, memorabilia, and photographs. Milliman's career as a writer, editor and publisher specializing in farm and grange information is documented in these papers.