MILLS, William H.

MILLS, JOHNSON, BLAKE, LLEWELLYN, DAVIS, LINDSEY, MCKEE, MCCUNE, GAMMILL

Posted By: Sharon R Becker (email)
Date: 2/11/2014 at 23:58:07

History of Decatur County Iowa and Its People
Illustrated, Volumne II.

Prof. J. M. Howell and Heman C. Smith
Supervising Editors

The S.J. Clarke Publishing Company. Pp. 348-50. Chicago. 1915.

WILLIAM H. MILLS

William H. Mills an honored veteran of the Civil war and a retired farmer of Eden township, was born in Fulton county, Illinois, July 23, 1843, a son of J. D. and Matilda (Johnson) Mills, both natives of the state of New York, where their marriage occurred. In 1843 they removed to Illinois and there the father followed the blacksmith's trade until 1852, when he removed with his family to Decatur county, Iowa, settling at Pleasanton. In that same year, while crossing Lake Erie, he witnessed a remarkable meteor shower, the meteors falling all around the ship. The first winter after arriving in this county the family resided on land belonging to a Mr. Scott near the old Horse mill, but the following spring the father established a blacksmith shop at Pleasanton, which he conducted until 1863. He then removed to Leon, where he passed his remaining years.

William H. Mills received his education in the public schools of Pleasanton, but in 1861, when eighteen years of age, enlisted in Company H, Fifth Kansas Volmiteer cavalry for service in the Civil war, remaining at the front for three years, one month and eleven days. He took part in the battles of Helena, Arkansas; Tupelo, Mississippi; Pine Bluff and Blount Elba, Arkansas; Drywood, Missouri; and also fought in many skirmishes in Arkansas and Missouri, for a considerable period, being under fire almost every day He was discharged at Leavenworth, Kansas, and then returned to Decatur county, devoting his attention to farming on section 9, Eden township. He purchased eighty acres on that section in 1865 and resided upon that place until his death. Later when his resources had increased he purchased an adjoining eighty acre tract, which he brought to a high state of cultivation. For many years he was actively engaged in general farming and stock-raising, but in 1914 turned the operation of the farm over to his son, feeling that he had accumulated more than a competence and that he had earned a period of rest from business cares.

In I860 Mr. Mills married Miss Lovisa Blake, a daughter of Joseph and Margaret Blake, natives of England, who located in Coshocton county, Ohio, on their emigration to America. In 1854 they removed to Decatur county, Iowa, where the father followed agricultural pursuits and where both he and his wife resided until called by death. Mr. and Mrs. Mills became the parents of twelve children, as follows: Edith Llewellyn, who died in early womanhood; Henrietta, who remained at home; Zelia, now the wife of Albert Davis, who is farming in the state of Washington; Charles E., an agriculturist of Bloomington township, this county, who married Miss Effie Lindsay, of Davis City; Matilda, who gave her hand in marriage to Robert McKee, a rancher and orange grower of California; Frank, a rancher of the state of Washington, who married Miss Minnie McCune; Rolla O., who is a land agent of Tacoma, Washington; Oscar A., a rancher of Colorado; Clifton P., a farmer residing six miles east of Leon, who married Miss Nellie Gammill; Ralph E., who has taken the greater part of the responsibility for the operation of the home farm; Margie, at home; and Fred Leon, who died in infancy. The wife and mother died on the 31st of December, 1913, and her passing was sincerely mourned not only by her immediate family but by many loyal friends. She was a member of the Church of Christ of Eden township and her religious faith was exemplified in her daily life.

Mr. Mills gave his political allegiance to the republican party but never aspired to take a prominent part in public affairs. He, however, served as school director in his home district for a number of times and was greatly interested in everything relating to the progress of the schools of the county. He held membership in the Church of Christ of Eden township and the work of that organization profited by his cooperation and material support. Through his identification with the lodge of the Grand Army of the Republic at Leon he kept in touch with his comrades of the '60s and derived much satisfaction from the knowledge that in the time of his country's greatest need he did not fail her. While actively engaged in farming he was energetic and progressive and not only gained individual success but also contributed to the development of his county along agricultural lines. He died June 14, 1915, in the seventy-second year of his age.

NOTE: Lovisa Ellen (Blake) Mills was born July 23, 1843. Lovisa and William were interred at Leon Cemetery, Leon IA.

Transcription and note by Sharon R. Becker, February of 2014