Rufus Millett, who has lived in Delaware county for more than six decades, has been successfully identified with agricultural pursuits throughout his entire business career and is the owner of a valuable farm embracing one hundred and fifty acres on section 18, Richland township. His birth occurred in Jo Daviess county, Illinois, on the 4th of June, 1849, his parents being Martin and Hannah Millett, both of whom were natives of New York. From that state they removed to Michigan and some years later took up their abode in Jo Daviess county, Illinois. In 1850, during the gold excitement in California, Martin Millett made a trip to that stat by team but at the end of a year returned to Illinois. In 1853 he came to Delaware county, Iowa, and entered a tract of land in Richland township, where both he and his wife spent the remainder of their lives. They became the parents of five children, three of whom survive.

        Rufus Millett, who was but four years of age when brought to this county by his parents, attended the common schools in the acquirement of an education and remained with his father and mother until they passed away. He fell heir to the old homestead farm and has continuously resided there on to the resent time, the property comprising one hundred and fifty acres of land on section 18, Richland township. He has enhanced its value and attractiveness by the erection of substantial buildings and in connection with the cultivation of cereals makes a specialty of stock raising, both branches of his business yielding him a gratifying annual income.

       In 1889 Mr. Millett was united in marriage to Miss Julia Becker, who was born in Fayette county, Iowa, August 31, 1862, her parents being Adam and Henricks (Bohn) Becker, both of whom were natives of Germany. They emigrated to the United States in 1850, locating first in Ohio, and in 1856 settled on a farm in Fayette county, Iowa, where they spent the remainder of their lives. The demise of the father occurred in the year 1897. To them were born eight children, three of who survive. Mr. and Mrs. Millett have four children, as follows: Minnie G., born June 11, 1890, who is the wife of Frank Kotek; Laura G., born June 15, 1893, who ha a college education and is now teaching school; Eunice F., whose birth occurred on the 19th of April, 1896; and Clifford R., whose natal day was July 25, 1899.

        In his political views Mr. Millett is a republican, and has ably served in the capacity of school director. His religious faith is indicated by his membership in the Methodist Episcopal church, to which his wife also belongs. He enjoys in a high degree the respect and esteem of the community and is ever interested in measures which make for better living conditions or promote the people's welfare along material, moral and intellectual lines.