Randolph  County,  Indiana

G. William  Mills


             One of the progressive farmers and stock raisers of Randolph county is G. William Mills, at present county commissioner and a scion of one of our sterling old families. He is a man who has always known how to appreciate the true dignity of labor and to place a correct estimate upon the value of money and he has worked hard for what he now possesses. Nevertheless, he is liberal in his benefactions and stands ever ready to support with his influence and means all measures for the material and moral welfare of the community in which he has so long resided.
            Mr. Mills was born in Washington township, Randolph county, March 24, 1859. He is a son of  Joel and Cynthia (Beard) Mills. Joel Mills was born in Wayne county, Indiana, January 6, 1833. He was a son of Aaron and Rebecca (Small) Mills. He grew up on the farm in his native county and received a fairly good education in the common schools. When sixteen years old he began learning the carpenter's trade, receiving thirty-seven and one-half cents per day for his labor, and he spent practically his entire life in the contracting business, covering almost the entire county of Randolph and much of Wayne county, and was known as a skilled and honest workman. Politically, he was a Republican and was trustee of Washington township for two terms, was also county commissioner for one term, filling both offices exceptionally well. In 1895 he retired to the farm he had acquired, his health having induced him to give up the more exacting business of contracting, and his death occurred on April 7, 1898. He and Cynthia Beard were married November 10, 1855. She was born May 19, 1840, and was therefore but fifteen years old when she married. She was a daughter of  William and Lydia (Cox) Beard. William Beard was born in North Carolina about 1812 and he came to Randolph county, Indiana, August 9, 1815, with his parents, who were thus among the earliest settlers here. His parents were Paul and Hannah Beard. William Beard devoted his life to farming and died in 1857, his wife preceding him to the grave in 1847. Both these families were very active and useful in the Friends church. Doctor Cox, grandfather of Mrs. Mills, was a minister in that church. Mrs. Mills is still living and is an acknowledged minister in the Friends church. Six children were born to Joel Mills and wife, namely: Caroline F.; G. William (our subject); Dr. Cassius C., born September 24, 1861, is practicing medicine at Muncie; Martin Luther, born April 24, 1864, is a merchant at Winchester; Rose Alma, born December 31, 1867, is the wife of  William Edwards, a farmer of Washington township, this county Eva Nora, born February 22, 1874, is at home.
            G. William Mills worked on the farm in his boyhood and received a common school education. In 1880 he branched out for himself and farmed with success until 1900, when he moved to Lynn. In 1905 he was elected county commissioner on the Republican ticket, and he made such a commendable record that he was re-elected in 1908 and is now serving his second term to the eminent satisfaction of all concerned. He still manages a farm of several hundred acres, where general farming and stock raising are carried on extensively. He is a worthy member of the Friends church.
            Mr. Mills was married March 27, 1880, to Mary E. Meredith, who was born in Highland county, Ohio, April 10, 1859. To this union one child has been born, Cynthia May, now the wife of Frank M. Johnson, a farmer of Washington township. They have two children, viz.: Joel Mills Johnson and Helen M. Johnson.
Past and Present of Randolph County, Indiana, 1914.
Contributed by Gina Richardson

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