David Mills

BALLARD, KENWORTHY, MENDENHALL, MILLS, WROE

Posted By: Judy Wight Branson (email)
Date: 8/6/2004 at 18:44:03

David Mills, deceased, was a highly esteemed citizen of Earlham and there are many who still cherish his memory. He was born in Henry county, Indiana, in 1824, a son of David and Esther Mills, natives of Ohio, who in an early day went to Indiana, where both resided until called to their reward.

David Mills of this review was reared and educated in the Hoosier state and was there married. In the '5os he removed to this county and purchased land near Earlham. He subsequently bought other land and at different times owned a number of farms in the county. He was successful as a farmer and stock-raiser and for many years followed those pursuits. At length he removed to Earlham and lived retired there for about fourteen years before his demise which occurred on the 4th of July, 1906. His assiduous labor and careful management had given him more than a competence and none begrudged him his
leisure.

Mr. Mills was twice married, his first union being with Miss Mary A. Ballard who became his wife on the 26th of March, 1851. She passed away on the 20th of August, 1888, and on the 7th of October, 1889, Mr. Mills married Mrs. Ann (Mendenhan) Wroe, a daughter of John and Mildred (Barnett) Mendenhall, natives of Ohio. Her father was born in 1811 and upon reaching manhood
turned his attention to farming. He became a resident of Indiana when that state was largely a wild and unsettled district and there purchased one hundred and thirty acres of land, paying for the whole tract but one hundred dollars. He improved his farm and operated it until he passed away on the 8th of March, 1847, at the early age of thirty-six years. His wife died on the 7th of October, 1851. Their daughter Ann became the wife of William H. Wroe on the 7th of June, 1870. He was a pioneer of Madison county and was engaged in the nursery business here at the time of his death, which occurred in 1880. To Mr. and Mrs. Wroe were born two children: Valverda J., the wife of Alien Kenworthy, residing in Dallas county; and John M., who is farming in the state of Washington. Mrs. Mills has a nice home in Earlham, where she resides, and she also owns a fine residence that she rents and eighty acres of land near Earlham. She is a member of the Friends church and exemplifies in her life those virtues that have always been associated with the Quakers, or Friends. She is held in the highest esteem by all who know her and there are many who value highly her friendship and goodwill.

Taken from the book, "The History of Madison County, Iowa, 1915"