My Genealogy Hound

Sterlin K. Mills, farmer and stock raiser, was born in Hancock County, Tenn., in 1845, and is a son of William and Rhoda Delida (Lawson) Mills, natives of East Tennessee, where they were reared and married. In about 1849 the parents removed to Iowa, but soon returned to Tennessee. After a time they went to South Missouri, and from there to North Missouri, after which they went to Arkansas. In 1860they moved to Adair County, Mo., and after several removals came to Putnam County. The next move was to Iowa, and then they permanently settled in Adair County, where they still live. Mr. Mills is a farmer, and both himself and wife belong to the Baptist Church. Sterlin K. remained at home until nineteen years old, during his youth enjoying but very meager educational advantages. He was united in marriage to Miss Ann Eliza, daughter of Middleton and Mary Boyd, a native of Adair County, and by whom he had six children, five of whom are living: William S., Neill Martin, Ernest Monroe, Mary Bells and Laura E. Mrs. Mills died in 1878, and in 1887 Mr. Mills married Miss Mary F., daughter of John and Delilah Abernathy. To this union four children were born, of whom two are living: Nellie Madeline and an infant. Mr. Mills came to Putnam County with his family in 1862, and has since been a resident of his present farm. He began life as a tenant, renting a farm in 1864 of Judge Martin. He continued to rent land for nineteen years, during which time by prudence and economy he accumulated the money to purchase his present farm, which contains 410 acres of good land, situated twenty miles southeast of Unionville. He is one of the well-to-do citizens of the township, in politics is a Democrat, and cast his first presidential vote for Seymour in 1868. During 1864 he served six months in Company I, Forty-ninth Missouri State Militia. He is a member of the Anti-Horse-Thief Association. Mrs. Mills belongs to the Christian Church.