Memorials › Richard Lock Mills
Richard Lock Mills
22 Sep 1833 – 21 Jun 1921
| Birth | 22 Sep 1833 |
| Death | 21 Jun 1921 |
| Cemetery | Central City Cemetery Central City , Merrick County , Nebraska , USA |
| Added by | Ruth Jenkins-McIntire on 17 Jul 2010 |
| FaG | https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/32372042 |
Bio
Richard L. Mills, whose name is familiar to all the residents of Merrick county, Nebraska. He is a worthy representative of the progressive farmers of eastern Nebraska. He was one of the very earliest settlers in this county, coming here in 1868, and has lived here on the original homestead continuously since that time. Mr. Mills was born in Devonshire, England, September 22, 1833, and was seventh of eight children in the family of John and Elizabeth (Locke) Mills, who had three sons and five daughters, and who were descendants of an old English family. Mr. Mills grew up on a farm and received a good common school education. April 7, 1861, Mr. Mills was married to Miss Elizabeth E. Knight in the city of Bristol, Somersetshire, England. Miss Knight was born in England, November 6, 1840. Mr. and Mrs. Mills left England in May, 1861, landing in New York City the latter part of that month, from which place they came by rail and steamboat to Florence, Nebraska. From there they went overland to Salt Lake City, Utah. Mr. Mills drove a team of eight oxen across the plains in Captain Creighton's train which was loaded with telegraph material, landing in Utah in September, 1861. They lived in Utah about six and a half years, and in July, 1868, Mr. Mills, wife and three children came overland to Nebraska from Utah with team and wagon, taking up a homestead on section six, township thirteen, range five, Merrick county, in the fall of 1868. Mr. Mills is one of the few original homesteaders of Merrick county that still reside on the old original land. In 1874 Mr. Mills lost the home buildings in the cyclone of that year. Mr. Mills now resides on the quarter of land taken as a timber claim, in the above named location and this property adjoins the original homestead. He has passed through many pioneer incidents, but most likely the cyclone is more vivid in his mind than anything else. Mr. and Mrs. Mills have had twelve children, nine of whom are living: Lily, wife of Mike McMahon, has nine children and lives west of Central City, Nebraska; Richard E., married, has seven children, and resides in Wyoming; Emma, wife of O. P. Taylor, has five children and lives in Columbus, Nebraska; William E., married, has four children and resides in Omaha; George, who is married and lives in Central City; Selina, wife of Harry Kidder, has four children and resides in South Omaha; Betty, who is married to Frank B. Daniels and resides in Lincoln, Nebraska; Susie, wife of Albert Baird, has three children and resides in Central City, Nebraska; and Annie, wife of David Baird, lives on the Baird farm north of Central City, and has two children. All the children were born in Merrick county, except the three eldest. Lucy, John and Frank all died in infancy, Frank being a twin of Selina. Mr. Mills and family are recognized as one of the old pioneer families of Merrick county. the children all being raised here. Mr. and Mrs. Mills have thirty-four grandchildren and seven great-grandchildren. They are widely known and have the respect and esteem of all who know them. Mr. Mills has from time to time filled all the local precinct offices and is a republican in politics. Mr. Mills was raised in the faith of the church of England and has always adhered to that faith. Source: Compendium of history, reminiscence, and biography of Nebraska, Chicago: Alden Publishing Company, 1912, page 589
Photos
Family
Spouse
Children
- Roselia Lillie Mills McMahon 1862–1950
- Richard Erasmus Mills 1863–1945
- Emma Jane Mills Taylor 1868–1925
- William Edward Mills 1870–1945
- Selina Mills Kidder 1873–1965
- Susan Mills Baird 1879–1941
- Annie Mills Baird 1882–1942
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