My Genealogy Hound

HENRY HOBART MILLS.
For many years the late Henry Hobart Mills was a part of the commercial life of Topeka, Kansas, one of the founders and the active head for many years of the well-known dry goods house of H. H. Mills & Sons, now known as the Mills Dry Goods Company. Mr. Mills was born at Geneseo, Livingston County, New York, November 21, 1827, and after an unusually busy and successful life passed away at his home, No. 1105 Polk street, Topeka, November 7, 1901.

Mr. Mills passed his boyhood in Livingston County, New York. When he was 15 years old the family moved to Michigan and settled on a farm in Van Buren County, in the vicinity of Paw Paw, where the youth grew to manhood, assisting his father in clearing and operating the pioneer farm.

He cleared a farm out of the forest for himself, disposed of it in 1857, and moved to the village of Howell, Livingston County, Michigan, where he engaged in the mercantile business, which he conducted for the following 28 years. In 1885 the business field presented by the wonderful activity displayed at Topeka led him to cast in his lot with the business-builders here. With his son, William W. Mills, as one of the partners, the dry goods firm of Mills, McPherson & Company, was established, later becoming H. H. Mills & Sons. Upon the reorganization of the business and the change of title to that of The Mills Dry Goods Company, the officers were: William W. Mills, president; Charles Emery, vice-president; W. H. Whitton, secretary; and H. H. Mills, treasurer.

Through all the varying fluctuations in the business and financial world, this company kept on its way, under the firm control and wise management of its officials, mainly directed by the experience of its founder, and today it stands as a monument to the ability, energy and recognition of the sound business principles of Henry Hobart Mills.

Mr. Mills was married May 2, 1854, to Isabella McPherson, whom he survived. Three of their children died in infancy, and Mr. Mills desired to be laid to rest with them and his wife in the quiet cemetery at Howell, Michigan. The three survivors of the family are: Mrs. George J. Crossman, of Cleveland, Ohio; and Arthur M. and William W., who are now at the head of The Mills Dry Goods Company.

The late Mr. Mills was a member of the Presbyterian Church for 50 years. In all that goes to make up a good man, that builds character, that leaves a lasting influence to benefit others, Mr. Mills was an exemplification. Personally he was a man of gentle dignity, kind and generous, and those who found in him an employer found also a benefactor.