John P. Mills

MILLS, SPRAGUE

Posted By: Clay County IAGenWeb Coordinator (email)
Date: 11/30/2010 at 06:48:51

Mills, J. P., was born January 11, 1845, in Juniata county, Pa., and moved with his parents to La Fayette county, Wisconsin, in the spring of 1846. He worked on a farm and attended country schools until the fall of 1864, when he entered the army as a private in Co. E, Forty-third regiment Wisconsin Volunteer Infantry. He was honorably discharged July, 1865. He then followed the occupation of a farmer, and was married to Elizabeth J. Sprague on the 19th day of December, 1867. He moved to Carroll county, Iowa, in the spring of 1869. He removed to Clay county in January 1870. Lived on rented land until the spring of 1874, when he located on the west half of southeast quarter, section 32, 95, 36, where he has since resided, except two years on his father's farm in Herdland township. He was elected a member of the Board of Supervisors of Clay county, November 7th, 1882, and served three years, and is at present serving the second term as Township Clerk of Gillett's Grove township. He was elected each time without dissenting vote. He is also Secretary of the Clay County Farmers' Alliance. Mr. Mills has also served the people in the office of School Director for about ten years. As a member of the Board of Supervisors Mr. Mills was a careful, painstaking and economical legislator, and served the people with a fidelity that he has ever done in all the public positions he has ever held. He is regarded by all who know him as a careful, conscientious and upright citizen and an energetic and successful farmer.

Source: A History of Clay County, Iowa, by W. C. Gilbreath, 1889, p. 164.

A notable example of a long and useful career is furnished in the life history of John P. Mills, who came to Clay county in pioneer times and was long a factor in the development of its rich farming lands. For more than two decades he has been one of the outstanding figures in commercial circles of Spencer and although he has passed the eightieth milestone on life's journey, he is still active in commercial affairs, retaining the priceless possession of physical and mental vigor. He was born January 11, 1845, in Juniata county, Pennsylvania, and his parents, Samuel and Nancy (Emory) Mills, were also natives of the Keystone state.

Mr. Mills is the second in order of birth in a family of ten children. He was reared on the homestead in Lafayette county, Wisconsin, and attended the district school in winter, aiding his father in the cultivation of the fields during the summer months. In 1864, when nineteen years of age, he enlisted in Company E of the Forty-third Wisconsin Volunteer Infantry and served until the close of the Civil war. He then returned to his home and engaged in farming in the Badger state until 1869, when he came to Iowa, first locating in Carroll county. In January, 1870, he moved to Clay county and rented a farm near Sioux Rapids. He operated that place until 1873 and with his savings purchased an eighty-acre tract in Gillett Grove township, on which he established his home. As his resources permitted he added to his holdings and eventually acquired a ranch of five hundred and sixty acres. He afterward sold one hundred and sixty acres and now owns a half section in Clay county. Having an expert knowledge of his occupation, Mr. Mills brought his land to a high state of development, erecting substantial buildings for the shelter of grain and stock, and through unceasing effort transformed the property into one of the finest farms in the township. In 1902 he moved to Spencer and turned his attention to business affairs. He was elected president of the Farmers Mutual Insurance Company and for seventeen years was its executive head. During that period the business made rapid strides and he is now acting treasurer of the company, of which he is also a director.

On December 19, 1867, Mr. Mills married Elizabeth Sprague, a native of Cornwall, England, and ten children were born to them. Their son, Charles B., died in 1922. Mr. Mills is affiliated with the Methodist Episcopal church and his wife is also of that faith. He belongs to Annett Post, No. 124, of the Grand Army of the Republic, whose membership is rapidly diminishing, and he finds much enjoyment in his association with the "Boys in Blue." He is a republican in his political views and was formerly active in public affairs. He was county supervisor, road commissioner, and for two terms acted as town clerk, rendering valuable service in each of these offices. Mr. Mills has acquitted himself with dignity, fidelity and honor in every relation in life and occupies a high place in the esteem of his fellowmen.

Contributed by: Debbie Clough Gerischer. Source: Northwestern Iowa, Its History and Tradition, Volume II, 1804-1926.