My Genealogy Hound

HENRY MILLS. The following biographical sketch is a memorial offered as a loving tribute by the daughter of Mr. Mills, and is intended to preserve a few facts for his family and friends that may be of interest in years to come. Mr. Mills, who died August 9, 1860, was a good and useful citizen, whose life had not been spent in vain, which is attested by the fact that he was generally mourned.

Mr. Mills was born near Morristown, N. J., March 21, 1791. He was of Quaker origin, and the son of Daniel and Jane (Simcock) Mills. The parents removed to this state when Henry was a small boy, and located in the town of Waterloo, where he was reared on a farm and given a fair education in the school of that neighborhood. February 22, 1818, he was united in marriage with Miss Elizabeth Murphy, of the town of Waterloo. She was also a native of New Jersey, and was born near Mt. Hope, August 21, 1798, her parents being Daniel and Lydia (Dell) Murphy. Her father, who was a native of Ireland and a man of fine education, taught school for many years, and was also employed for some time as surveyor. Mrs. Lydia Murphy was of Quaker origin, and her father was a minister of that faith. Mrs. Mills, although having very limited opportunities for obtaining a good education, possessed an extraordinary memory, and by reading good books became well informed.

Soon after his marriage our subject located on the farm where his daughter, Miss Joanna, now lives. His first purchase consisted of fifty acres, from which he raised two hundred pounds of maple sugar the first year, which was boiled in a baking kettle and a Jersey pot. As soon as it seemed advisable, he bought more land, until he was the owner of some one hundred and twenty acres, on which he erected a log house, with a fireplace built of rocks and chimney of sticks, held together by a mixture of mud. Soon after completing this convenience for housekeeping, Mr. Mills built a fire in it, and then went after another load of goods. During his absence the heat became so great that it caused the rocks to break, throwing pieces across the room. The family lived in this rude structure until 1829, when a frame house was erected in its place, which was known far and wide as the “red house,” on account of its color. This dwelling still stands and is occupied. Later, in 1847, Mr. Mills built the house of cobblestones in which his daughter now lives.

Besides the one hundred and twenty acres comprising the homestead, our subject purchased lands elsewhere and owned one hundred and thirty-five and three-quarter acres in the town of Huron, Wayne County. In early life he was a Whig in politics and a strong anti-slavery man. However, on the formation of the Republican party, four years prior to his death, he joined its ranks and was a firm adherent of its principles, although in no sense of the term an office-seeker.

Our subject became the father of five children, of whom we make the following mention: Daniel, who was born August 25, 1819, was a well-to-do farmer. In 1882 he lost his eyesight, and March 29, 1886, died, unmarried. He was a man of fine education, being one of the best read men in this locality. John M. was born August 16, 1821; he, too, became a farmer, and died July 15, 1884. Lydia Ann was born May 1, 1827; she married Henry J. Serven, October 5, 1848, and had a family of four children; her husband died November 24, 1892. Mary was born April 21, 1830, and departed this life September 11, 1849, when in her nineteenth year. Joanna, who was born June 6, 1833, is a well educated lady, completing her schooling in the academy at Seneca Falls. Mr. Mills died August 9, 1860, while his good wife, who survived him many years, passed away April 19, 1888. The eldest daughter of Mrs. Serven, Emily, married Wesley Bacon, and makes her home at Virgil, Cortland County, N. Y. Anna Elizabeth Serven married John S. Kinne, and is a resident of the town of Romulus. Mary Serven is now Mrs. Frank Hart, and makes her home in the town of Junius. John Coryell Serven, who also makes his home in this town, is married and is the father of three children.

When a girl of sixteen years, Mrs. Mills, the wife of our subject, earned the money with which to purchase a loom, and became not only an expert weaver, but could do very fine spinning. She continued in this work at odd times throughout life, and when past eighty years of age wove a carpet which is now in use by her daughter Joanna. The latter is an intelligent business woman, and is the possessor of large landed interests. She gives her personal attention to the improvement of her property, and continues its management in such a way that it shows not the slightest deterioration. Mrs. Elizabeth A. (Van Buskirk) Daley was a member of the family for many years.