Diary of Joseph 'Henry' Mills

MILLS, GRANT, MCCLURE, STONE, SPAULDING, WOOLSON, HARLAN, CAMPBELL, AMBLER, COURTNEY

Posted By: Pat Ryan White (email)
Date: 8/20/2019 at 15:35:50

DIARY OF JOSEPH HENRY MILLS

SATURDAY, AUGUST 8, 1885.
The day of Grant's burial.
Memorial services were held in the park.
Speakers: Dr. McClure, Gen. Stone, Dr. Spaulding, J.S. Woolson and Senator Harlan.

General Stone rang up one scene of the drama and down another. And the scenes were glorious bloody battles.
Dr. Spaulding was broad, philosophical and interesting, somewhat exaggerated and slightly rhetorical.
Woolson spoke of his peace tending qualities as shown in the close of the war, in civil rule and in his domestic affairs. Very excellent, simple, straight forward, spontaneous.
Senator Harlan was not enthusiastic, seemed to remember that he had faults but he put them aside. Spoke of his being well balanced though not especially brilliant in any way. Washington and he were well rounded in nature.

WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 14, 1885.
This evening Mr. and Mrs. Campbell succeeded in getting off for Colorado, for her health. It is two weeks since her former effort. It has been two weeks of patient waiting for strength and weather suitable for removing. That resolution, steady patience and fortitude is an excellency of character and is necessary for a successful life. At her first failure to go, she did feel shaken in courage and her spirits began to sink. But she fought it off. Such a spirit tides over occasions of danger and depression, where one without it would meet with disaster. But she did not show her real sorrow at leaving her folks for she hid her feelings. Yet her firm grasp of hand, and her steadfast heart were moved. Blessings be upon her, and health, strength and usefulness be to her.

[Note: Mrs. Campbell's maiden name was Nellie Ambler and she died in Pueblo, Colorado]

THURSDAY, OCTOBER 3, 1889.
Nellie Ambler's funeral this morning at 10:00. She died last Sunday. Her struggle for life lasted 4 years lacking 16 days. She was a well formed woman. She was acute of perception, rapid and sound of judgment, permeated with uprightness, intense in her devotion to right, tender hearted, loving, loyal, true, of unfailing tact, thoroughly religious, of unfailing patience, and of the broadest and most thorough culture.

[Unknown source of diary excerpts. Typewritten notes were found in the archives of Henry County Heritage Trust, Mt. Pleasant, Henry County, Iowa. Joseph 'Henry' Mills was born 1849 in Ohio. Attended Iowa Wesleyan. Married Martha Courtney [1895] and they had 4 children: Paul, Phillip, George and Adelia. Mr. Mills was Mayor of Mt. Pleasant for three terms. He died in 1935.]