Pike Township Family Stories
JOSHUA A. AND LAURA A. SCHILDBERG MILLS
Nichols, Iowa Centennial Book 1884-1984, pages 300-301Joshua A. Mills, the owner of a fine farm consisting of 225 acres in section 12, Pike township, was born on that farm 16 November 1856. His parents were David Mills and Ann Chrisman Mills.
The father (David Mills) was born near Columbus, Ohio, on 23 August 1813. The mother (Ann Mills) was born in Pennsylvania in 1816. They were married in Ohio. They came to Iowa in 1849, and the following year took up their residence in Muscatine county, locating on the farm which is now (1911 History of Muscatine County) in the possession of Joshua A. Mills. David Mills devoted his time and energies to its operation until called to his final rest on 25 April 1895. He was buried in the Nichols cemetery. At the time of his death, the property comprised 180 acres of well improved land. He lived to be 82 years of age, and during 45 years he remained a resident of Muscatine county, widely known as one of its substantial and respected citizens. His wife Ann passed away 31 December 1894 at the age of 77 years.
David and Ann Mills were parents of eight children: Van Buren Mills of West Liberty; Louis F. Mills of Hermosa, South Dakota; Elizabeth H. Mills, who is the widow of Jeremiah Foster and lives in Muscatine; Joshua A. Mills lives on the home place; Amos Mills is deceased; Cordelia Mills died in infancy; and Gediah Mills and William Mills, who died in early life.
Joshua A. Mills attended the common schools for his education and has remained on the home farm from his birth to the present time (1911). When his father passed away, he took charge of the farm and has since extended its boundaries by buying more ground, until now it is 225 acres in section 12 of Pike township. As the years have gone by, he has made many improvements and uses more modern machinery to carry on the field work.
On 6 April 1882 Mr. Mills was united in marriage with Miss Laura Awilda Schildberg, who was born in Rock Island county, Illinois, on 17 January 1864. Her parents were Frederick H. Schildberg and Emma Glazier Schildberg.
Frederick Schildberg is a native of Germany. Emma Glazier Schildberg was born, reared and married in Rock Island county, Illinois. They located in Pike township, where Mr. Schildberg followed the wagon maker’s trade for twenty years. Later he entered the service of the Rock Island Railroad company, remaining with that corporation for a period of thirteen years. He is now (1911) living with one of his daughters in Muscatine, having reached the age of 75 years. His wife died in 1903 when 54 years old.
Frederick and Emma Schildberg were parents of 14 children: Laura Schildberg (Mrs. Mills); Charles A. Schildberg, a resident of Illinois; Ettie Schildberg, deceased; Amelia Schildberg and Edward Schildberg, living in Muscatine; Frederick Schildberg has passed away; George Schildberg, living in Pike township; Janette Schildberg lives in Muscatine; Minnie Schildberg, of Illinois; Olive Schildberg, a resident of Pike township; Arthur Schildberg and Ray Schildberg, living in Muscatine; Grace Schildberg, deceased; and Catharine Schildberg, who died in infancy.
Joshua A. Mills and Laura Awilda Schildberg Mills were the parents of thirteen children; all grew to be adults.
Etta Pearl Mills, born 13 January 1883, died 21 January 1967 at the age of 84. She married LeRoy Lukenbach. They are buried in Indian Creek cemetery.
Lewis C. Mills, born 26 September 1884, died 15 August 1937 at the age of 53. He is buried in the Nichols cemetery.
Clyde C. Mills, born 18 September 1886, died 21 September 1950 at the age of 63. He is buried in the Nichols cemetery.
Charles E. Mills, born 19 June 1888, died 2 February 1971 at the age of 82. He married Maude Smith; she died 10 June 1965. He later married Neva Fellinger in November 1968.
Ada May Mills, born 27 March 1890, died 9 November 1973 at the age of 83. She married William Curtis. They are buried in the Nichols cemetery.
Hazel Frances Mills, born 30 October 1892, died 14 April 197 at the age of 81. She married Benjamin Oostendorp of Pike township.
Frederick D. Mills, born 28 July 1895, died 3 October 1980 at the age of 85. He married Odetta Arnold. He is buried in Memorial Gardens in Muscatine.
Emma Viola “Ola” Mills, born 5 August 1897, died 13 April 1983 at the age of 85. She married Clyde Park soon after he returned from service in World War I.
Elmer Frank Mils, born 25 July 1899, died 7 March 1956 at the age of 57. He married Wilma C. Kirchner and operated Mills Motor company in Nichols until his death.
Lester E. Mills, born 11 May 1901, married Gladys Hintz. They reside in West Liberty.
Linnie A. Mills, born 1 November 1903, married Clarence Finley. They farmed for many years and now reside in Muscatine.
Lloyd H. Mills, born 28 December 1905, married Martha Winters. She met her death in an automobile accident on frost roads while going to North Liberty to teach school on 18 February 1954. She is buried in Nichols cemetery. He later married Jeannette Tofting on 24 March 1972. They reside on Rochester avenue in Iowa City.
Burton A. Mills, born 14 December 1908, died 23 October 1979 at the age of 70 years. He married Amelia Hadley. They have two children, Gary Mills and Vesta Mills.
Gary L. Mills graduated from West Liberty High school. He married Connie Sue Madsen. They have three children: Brandon Thomas Mills, Julie Ann Mills and Bethany Sue Mills. They reside on the home place.
Vesta Awilda Mills was graduated from West Liberty High school and attended Muscatine Community college. She married Clayton Stammer, the son of Richard Stammer and Marilyn Stammer of Durant. They reside in Muscatine.
Burton Mills graduated from the eighth grade at Adams school and from Nichols High school. He was a Pike township trustee, secretary-treasurer of the Nichols Telephone Line operated in Nichols by Clifford Hesser. He was elected to office as a Muscatine county supervisor for four years. He drove the Nichols, Lone Tree and West Liberty school buses for eleven years. He was a member of the Moose lodge.
He bought the home place where he was born and where his son now lives.
All of the children of Joshua Mills and Laura Mills were born on the farm. The first home was made of logs; it sat on the north side of the lilac bush that still stands in the front yard. The present home was built by Joshua and his family. The railroad and highways took part of the land, so the farm now consists of 141 acres and some timber.
Politically, Joshua Mills was a staunch supporter of the democracy. He served as Pike township assessor for eight years, township trustee for one term and served as secretary and director of Adams school, hiring many of the teachers who taught in the Adams district. He was a member of Nichols Lodge No. 4195 Modern Woodmen of America; Adams Lodge No. 352 M. B. A., and Nichols Lodge No. 664 I. O. O. F. In religious faith, he was a Protestant. He died 1 February 1927. Laura, a devoted housewife and mother, died 26 May 1941. They are buried in the Nichols cemetery.
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Page created December 16, 2010 by Lynn McCleary