Mills, Milo S. 1859-1931

MILLS, VRADENBURG

Posted By: Linda Ziemann, Volunteer (email)
Date: 5/3/2014 at 13:28:55

Akron Register-Tribune
July 23, 1931

PIONEER WESTERN PLYMOUTH COUNTY CALLED TO REWARD
Milo S. Mills Was Resident of This Section During Most of His Life

Milo S. Mills, a long time resident of western Plymouth County and intimately connected with the early history and growth of this community, passed away on Wednesday evening, July 15, 1931, at his home in Sioux township, following a lingering illness, aged 72 years, 4 months, and 6 days.

Mr. Mills was born in Sioux City, Ia., then an outpost station, on March 9, 1859. His parents, Mr. and Mrs. David M. Mills, spent their last days in Sioux township. David Mills played a prominent part in the development of this part of the state and adjoining territory in Dakota in pioneer days. When a lad he came west from New Hampshire to Gull Prairie neighborhood in Michigan. When sixteen years of age David Mills joined a party of gold seekers bound for California. He returned to Sioux City in 1856 and preempted land in Sioux township (Plymouth County.) He was the first sheriff of Plymouth County, being elected in 1858. He died in Sioux township in 1893, at the age of 69 years.

Milo S. Mills received his schooling in the schools of Elk Point, in Sioux township and Sioux City, and assisted his father in farming operations until his marriage to Laura E. Vradenburg, of Union County, Dakota, at Westfield, Ia., March 6, 1888, when he began farming on his own account. He went to Lewiston, Idaho, in 1909 and engaged in fruit farming for a short time. Returning to Plymouth County, he bought a tract of 400 acres of the old Mills ranch and lived there until his death.

Milo Mills was active in community affairs and held numerous township offices during his life. A man of strict integrity and sterling character, he was held in high esteem by all who knew him, and will be widely missed and sincerely mourned. He was a member of Freedom lodge, No. 434, A.F. & A.M., of Akron, and the Royal Arch Masons, of Hawarden, Ia.

He is survived by his widow, four daughters, Mrs. Eula Small of Westfield, Ia.; Mrs. Frances Patterson, of What Cheer, Ia.; Mrs. Belle Carey, of Hermosa, S.D.; Mrs. Nina Witte, of Westfield; and three sons, Chester and Fred Mills, of Westfield, and George Mills, of Denver, Colo. The bereaved family have the sympathy of the entire community.

Mr. Mills lived in this vicinity almost all of his 72 years. He could recall details of the prairie fire of 1876, the flood of 1881, and the Indian uprising in 1862. He was only three years old when the Indians drove his family from their home near Westfield to the safety of the army stockade in Sioux City. The pioneer nearly lost his life during the flood of 1881, when most of the Mills farm was submerged by the overflow of the Sioux and Missouri rivers. He swam his horse to a point where several cattle were marooned and stayed a few minutes too long trying to induce the beasts to swim to safety. The ice was moving down the river as he started back. His horse became entangled in a grapevine which held the animal’s head beneath the water. As the ice moved nearer, Mr. Mills ducked beneath the water and groped about until he broke the vine, freeing the horse, which carried him to safety.

The funeral rites were held Saturday at 2 p.m. at the home south of Westfield. Rev. Jos. Castle, pastor of Westfield Congregational church, conducted the services. There was a large attendance at the funeral and many friends, in a last tribute of respect, followed the remains to the final resting place. In Riverside Cemetery, Akron, the impressive Masonic burial service for a departed brother was conducted by members of Freedom lodge.

CARD OF THANKS.
We wish to express our heartfelt thanks and appreciation to the friends and neighbors, the Masonic fraternity, and also Dr. Kerr for his untiring efforts during the illness and death of our beloved husband and father.—Mrs. Milo S. Mills and Family.