Zophar Mills (1809 - 1887)

Born 23 Sep 1809 in New York County, New York, United States

Ancestors

Descendants

Died 28 Feb 1887 at age 77 in New York County, New York, United States

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Biography

Zophar was born in 1809. He was the son of Nathaniel Mills. He passed away in 1887.

He married Eliza Phillips (1816-1902). Their children are:

1. Charlotte Mills Dupre 1837-1880; m. Emile Dupre (1833-1866)
2. Angeline Mills (name appears in Records of Smithtown, but not in any Census)
3. Josephine Mills 1847-1872; did not marry
4. Dr. Adelaide Mills 1852-1949; did not marry
5. Zophar Mills 1854-1932; m. Hermine J. __ (1862-1932)

Sources

• Find A Grave: Memorial #88446150

• FamilySearch [1]

Notes

Zophar Mills joined the Engine 13 of the volunteer New York Fire Department in 1832. By 1835 he became its Foreman and just three years later he was an Assistant Engineer, today's equivalent of Assistant Chief. He was a member of the Department for thirty-five years. In 1845 he was one of the organizers (at the old age of thirty-two) of the Exempt Engine Company, comprised of the most senior members of the Department who would only respond when all other resources were stretched to their limit. He was present at some of the most significant fires of the era, including the Great Fires of 1835 and 1845, as well as the Jennings Clothing Store fire in 1854 when eleven members of the Department made the Supreme Sacrifice. Likewise in 1834 at Haydock's Drug Store he was in the building as Foreman of Engine 13 when it collapsed and took the lives of two members.

In 1882, a fireboat was commissioned in the name of Zophar Mills, designated Engine 51. It fought the infamous fire about the day-liner, General Slocum in 1904. The floating fire engine remained in service through 1934.

He retired after 35 years of service. On the evening of February 28, 1887 Mr. Mills suffered a heart attack just three houses from reaching his own home. He died after physicians tried to revive him at the local Police station house.