John Jouett Terrell Mills (1792 - 1834)

Born 8 Jan 1792 in Virginia, United States

Ancestors

Descendants

Died Dec 1834 at age 42 in Kentucky, United States

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Biography

Rev John was born in 1792. He passed away in 1834. He is the son of Menan Mills and Frances Jouett.^[1]

Centennial Portrait and Biographical Record of the City of Dayton and of Montgomery County, Ohio

WILLIAM M. MILLS, [pages 205-206] vice-president and general manager of the Globe Iron Works Co., of Dayton, Ohio, is one among the old and well-known citizens of the Gem City. Mr. Mills was .born in Wythe county, Va., of French-Welsh origin, and is of the fourth generation since the first of his ancestors settled in Albemarle county, Va. His grandfather, Menan Mills, was an ensign during the Revolutionary war, and was with his regiment at the surrender of Yorktown, Va. He lived to reach the age of eighty-nine years, and during the last year of his life rode horseback from Lexington, Ky., to the western part of Montgomery county, Ohio, intending to remain in this county during the winter. But about three months after his arrival he was taken sick, and after a few days' illness died.

The father of William M. was the Rev. John I. T. Mills, who married Maria Galladay, daughter of Maj. Galladay, of Augusta county, Va., and a few years later removed to Lexington, Ky., whither he had been preceded a few years by his father and two brothers. Rev. Mills began the realities of life as a minister of the M. E. church and a teacher, in both of which callings he became one of the most successful in Kentucky. He was a man of fine physique, and exceedingly fond of athletic sports, taking part with his pupils at play during recess. Although very strict during study hours, he was the idol of his students. During the cholera epidemic of 1833 he suffered from a very severe attack of that disease, from which he never fully recovered, and died eighteen months afterward, at the age of forty-six years, in the full promise of his manhood. At the time of his death and for several years prior thereto, he was professor of Greek and Hebrew in the seminary at Harrodsburg, Ky., a school which he had founded on his own account. Rev. Mills was considered one of the leading educators in the state of Kentucky. He was a natural orator, a doss student, a fine instructor, and withal a true type of the Christian gentleman. After the death of Rev. Mills his widow, with her five children, two sons and three daughters, removed to Jackson township, Montgomery county, Ohio, where she purchased a farm and began farming, although her eldest son, Jewette M. Mills, was but seventeen years of age, and her youngest, William M., was not yet fourteen. These two boys took charge of the farm, and so successfully did they manage it that they greatly surprised the neighbors. Fortunately for his family, Rev. Mills was very fond of farm life, and had for many years owned and cultivated a good farm, so his boys were no strangers to their new duties.

W. M. Mills remained with his mother until he reached his eighteenth year, and having by that time made up his mind that farming was not his choice of business, with the consent of his mother and brother, he went to learn the carpentering trade with a neighbor. After working as an apprentice for about two years young Mills concluded that he would be something more than a country carpenter, and consequently came to Dayton to finish his trade. After completing his apprenticeship and working as a carpenter for a few years Mr. Mills determined to seek employment in some branch of manufacturing, where there would be an opportunity of advancement, and so obtained a place as pattern-maker. A few years later he purchased an interest in an iron foundry and machine business, forming what afterward became the firm of Stout, Mills & Temple, the successor to which firm is now the Dayton Globe Iron Works Co., which was formed in 1890, at which time Mr. Mills was made secretary. In 1891 he was made vice-president and general manager. Mr. Mills was made an elder in the Presbyterian church when he was thirty-five years of age. He is now one of the ruling elders of the Third street Presbyterian church.

Mr. Mills was married on October 28, 1845, to Margaret Bowersock, daughter of David Bowersock, who was of German descent, born in Northumberland county, Pa., and settled in Miami county, Ohio, at an early date. Mrs. Mills was born in Miami county in December, 1822, and Mr. and Mrs. Mills have lived to celebrate their golden wedding anniversary. To Mr. and Mrs. Mills the following children have been born: Annie M., widow of Samuel Steele, son of the late Dr. Steele, of Dayton ; David T., now engaged in the wood pulp manufacturing business in the state of Maine; Belle W.; William H., who died in his thirteenth year ; Edna L., now Mrs. E. P. Matthews, of Dayton, and Gussie L.

When Cincinnati was menaced by Gen. Kirby Smith, Mr. Mills organized a company of 103 men, two lieutenants and a drum corps, was commissioned captain by Gov. Tod, and assisted in repelling the rebel invader. In about 1870 Mr. Mills was elected to the Dayton city council, and was chosen president of that body. He has also served a number of times as chairman of county conventions.

Sources

1. ↑ Entered by Marie Mills, Jan 18, 2012

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