Mecosta County MI Archives Biographies.....Mills, James A.  September 7, 1847 - 
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File contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by:
Jan Cortez http://www.genrecords.net/emailregistry/vols/00020.html#0004939 April 7, 2009, 11:54 pm

Author: Chapman Brothers

JAMES A. MILLS, farmer on sec. 20, Mecosta Tp., was born Sept. 7, 1847.  He is 
a son of Alexander and 

Sarah (More) Mills, natives of Scotland and early emigrants to St. Johns, 
N.B., where the son was born.  

Mr. Mills took his fortunes into his own hands at nine years of age.  He ran 
away to sea in the capacity 

of cabin boy, and was in that position two years when he became shipmate.  He 
was promoted to the post of 

second mate, and so performed his duties that he was offered the position of 
first mate, but declined, as 

he had determined to withdraw from a seafaring life.  He had a desire to 
engage in the whale-fishing 

service of the Northern Ocean, and spent some months in the dangers and 
excitements of that life.  He then 

engaged in cod-fishing service and followed it on the coast of Gaspe, Can.  
After four months he connected 

himself with a company of seal fishers and spent a considerable time in that 
region of icebergs.  He then 

quitted ocean life and went to Upper Canada, where he remained but a brief 
time.  His next remove was to 

Texas, where he was occupied some months in herding cattle.  Coming north, via 
New York, to Canada, in 

1859, he visited his native place.  He came to Saginaw, Mich. and there 
operated as a lumberman one year, 

and was also engaged some what in river driving.

Mr. Mills came to Big Rapids in the fall of 1860, where he remained until his 
marriage.  That event 

occurred July 8, 1861, to Mary, daughter of Jesse R. and Lydia (Mash) Green.  
Her parents were natives of 

Canada, where she was born Sept. 17, 1847.  Mr. and Mrs. Mills have had one 
child, Alice May, born May 31, 

1875.  Mr. Mills is a Democrat.

Additional Comments:
1883 Portrait & Bio Album of Mecosta Co., MI.

File at: http://files.usgwarchives.net/mi/mecosta/bios/mills506nbs.txt

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