John I. Mills (Biography)

[genealogynut]

Taken from History of the State of Kansas, by Wiliam G. Cutler


JOHN I. MILLS, farmer and stock-raiser, P.O. Elk Falls, was born in New Jersey in 1832 but was raised in Delevan County, Ohio, until twenty years of age, then emigrated to Iowa, locating in Linn County, remaining there until 1870.  He is one of the pioneers of the county, when he first settled,  he was a mile of a camp of 700 Indians.  He was two years in California and on the plains previous to coming to Kansas in 1870.  Settled in Elk Falls Township before the survey was made, and there were but two men between his place and Elk Falls at the time of his settlement.  He was twenty-eight miles from a post office, and 110 miles from a railroad point.  His place lies midway between Elk Falls and Moline, three miles to either place.  It is watered by Wild Cat Creek, and consists of 200 acres on Sections 7 and 18, has about 50 acres of young timber, 70 acres under the plow, a small orchard, 380 rods of stone wall and 160 rods of fence.  He is raising cattle and hogs.  He is one of the best posted men in the county, devoting all of his spare time to the study of history and government.  He was married in 1856 at Palo, Linn Co., Iowa, to Miss Lydia M. Morris of that place.  They have one daughter, Rose Z.