Rev. Samuel John Mills (1813-1882)

MILLS, COOKE, HAYS, HUNTSINGER

Posted By: Dorian Myhre (email)
Date: 11/20/2012 at 22:55:13

From Nevada Representative March 29, 1882

Died.

On the morning of March 23rd, 1882 at his residence in Nevada, Story County, Iowa, Rev. Samuel J. Mills.

Mr. Mills had so long been a citizen of this State, and so long identified with us as a citizen in this community, that we deem it proper to make a more than common notice of his death. Rev. Mr. Mills was born in Mt. Morris, Livingston county, N. Y., Jan. 14, 1818 and his early home was in a region of celebrated beauty and fertility, that of the Genesee Flats. His father, Gen. Mills, had come to that region, a poor boy, while yet it was partially occupied by the Seneca Tribe of the Six Nations. By industry and great business sagacity, he amassed an ample fortune, and lived to an honored old age. The subject of this notice was his sixth child. Manifesting a mental brightness which seemed to warrant a preparation for professional life. He had given him the best Academical and Collegiate advantages that the country could bestow graduating with credit at Yale College, New Haven, Ct. After a few years spent in teaching and law study, he entered in the practice of the law in Alleghany county, N. Y., then in his native place from whence, in 1856, he removed to Lyons in this State. Not long after his removal, following his early convictions and the hope of his mother in giving him a liberal education, he changed his profession to that of the Ministry, in the Presbyterian Church. For five years he pursued with earnestness and much usefulness the duties of his new calling, first at Wheatland and Clarence, then at West Liberty and Atalissa, in this State. In 1860, he removed to Iowa City, having taken the State Agency of American Tract Society. In the laborious work of this agency, his health entirely gave way, and in 1869, with impaired strength and shattered constitution he came to Nevada, to make it his home while the sinking sun of life should fill out its appointed term. His residence among us had been one of interest and activity as a Christian citizen, but under every disadvantage of lost health and acutest suffering. To these he has a last succumbed, to our loss as a people, and to the lasting sorrow of a wide circle of kindred friends.

Mr. Mills was a man of active mind, of fine literary cultivation, and of large intelligence; these he combined with steadfast religious principles and observance. In the exercise of the qualities, he has been of great service to the educational and religious interests of our town. Our public schools found in him a wise counselor, and christian men and women of all denominations found him a warm sympathizer in all religious and benevolent actions. This in the midst of physical suffering which few realized and whose occasional intensity no one among us knew.

Mr. Mills has left a large and honored family. In 1842 he married, at Lewiston, N. Y., Sarah A. daughter of Hon. Bales Cooke, Comptroller and Bank Commissioner of the State of New Yosk. His children remain in positions of honor and usefulness, in this and other States. The oldest son, S. J. Mills, Jr. is Assistant Superintendent of the Iowa Division of the C. & N. W. Railroad; the second, Willard, is conductor of a wholesale drug house in Lincoln, Nebraska; the third, Day, is station agent at Grand Junction; the daughters, Mrs. John R. Hays of this place; Mrs. Samuel Huntsinger of Boone; Misses Alice and Margaret yet at home are most pleasing and useful ladies, engaged in all good work, and examples in all the duties and proprieties of home and social life. Mrs. Mills had the universal sympathy of the community in her and their own loss, and the best wishes for that care, above man's, which is promised to the widow and the fatherless.