Obituary: Rock County, Wisconsin: David L. MILLS ************************************************************************ Submitted by Ruth Ann Montgomery, June 2005 © All rights reserved. http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm ************************************************************************ Died--Mills About ten weeks ago, Mr. D. L. Mills was pretty severely attacked with what was termed organic disease of the heart, and Dr. Smith was called, who treated him to the best of his skill; and various times during his sickness he received the joint attention of Doc's Smith and Evans. But it was early ascertained that they had a patient that was fully equal to their skill. First his age, 71 years, was unfavorable to speedy recovery and then the disease had got too firm a hold of his system to be easily removed. At one time during his sickness his symptoms appeared favorable and he rode out a few time. But the rally was only an illusion that his physicians could see no ground to hope for. Neighbors and old friends called upon him often, and to them Mr. Mills expressed a hope of recovery beyond what they could see and several times it was given out that he could not live long, perhaps not until morning. But a vigorous constitution held mastery over disease beyond the most sanguine hope of his recovery. Day after day he kept along, tossed with pain, and lingering between hope of recovery and fear that he would choke up and speedily pass away. At about 10 o'clock on Saturday night, July 23d, he died without a struggle or groan. his funeral took place at the M. E. Church at 3 o'clock Sunday. The services were led by Rev. F. L. Wharton, pastor of that church. The house was filled, not with relatives, for these he had none save a remarried, deceased brother's wife, who was the only person that could ever claim relationship. It is well known that Mr. Mills and his wife parted in 1880, since which time he has occupied a room in his office, and remained a quiet peacable and much respected citizen, practicing law, and attending to his own private and professional business. Mr. Mills became a citizen of Evansville some thirty years ago, and did much towards building up the place. And during all this period of public life, few if any, can utter a word of reproach. He was not a religious man and had an abhorrence to secret societies; but his habits and morals were good, and many could imitate them with profit. He was ever ready with council and good words to aid the unfortunate, and did many noble acts of charity as his means would permit. Mr. Mills, leaves two sons and a divorced wife, who live in Illinois; but he left a host of friends who vied with each other to relieve every want his prolonged sickness called for, and who bore him hence, on that pleasant Sabbath afternoon in July with sad hearts. David L. Mills was born in Oneida county, New York,, March 7th, 1816. He came to Wisconsin in 1845 and settled in Dane County removing to Rock County in 1846, and located in Fulton, where he practiced law. In 1854, he came to Evansville and did some work for the Beloit and Madison Railroad company. He was once elected register of deeds for Rock County, and at the expiration of his term, moved back to Evansville and founded the Evansville Seminary. Mr. Mills was a citizen that a place like Evansville can ill afford to use. July 29, 1887, Evansville Review, Evansville, Wisconsin