JAMES M. MILLS. This gentleman is among the most public-spirited and enterprising citizens of North Palmyra Township and has a splendid farm with a fine set of buildings upon section 10. His father, James Mills, was born in New York, and his mother, Sarah Coonrod, a native of Virginia, came when a young woman to Morgan County, Ill., while the State was yet a Territory. Her she met James Mills and they were united in the bonds of matrimony. They died in what is now known as Scott County, Mr. Mills passing away in 1835, and his widow surviving him until March 18, 1883. Six children resulted from this marriage, of whom our subject was the second.

James Mills was born in what is now Scott County, this State, October 18, 1827, and there he grew to manhood and hose a partner for life's joys and sorrows. He was married November 21, 1850, to Miss Julia A. Pierce, a daughter of Stephen and Edith (Lowe) Pierce. He was a native of New York and Mrs. Pierce was a Missourian. Their daughter Julia was born in Morgan County, this State, July 25, 1832. Of her family of seventeen children, six died in infancy. Those who lived to years of maturity are: James M. Jr., Stephen R., George W., Fannie, Eliza, Julia M., Charles A., Abram, John W., Sarah E., and Lewis C. Their mother died in North Palmyra Township, October 18, 1882.

In North Palmyra Township, November 27, 1884, Mr. Mills was a second time married. His wife was Mrs. Louisa (Solomon) Yowell, a daughter of Lewis and Nancy (Fink) Solomon, and a widow of Henry H. Yowell. Mr. Yowell died June 15, 1864, leaving one child by this marriage, George M. Yowell. Mrs. Louisa Mills was born in North Palmyra Township, May 3, 1837. Her father, Lewis Solomon, was born April 1, 1812, in Kentucky, and died in North Palmyra Township, April 1, 1886, expiring upon his birthday. His wife Nancy Fink was born in Lexington, Ky., February 22, 1818, and died September 18, 1863.

Mr. Mills was reared upon a farm, and agriculture and stock-raising have constituted the chief business of his life. Upon his farm he has erected a nice set of buildings and his land is well improved. He and his wife together are the owners of six hundred and forty acres of as good soil as can be found in Macoupin County. He is liberal in his religious views and in politics he adheres to the doctrines of the Republican party. His son, James M. Jr., married Sarah E. Crayne; Stephen R. married Minnie Rose; George W. took to wife Mary H. Waters; Fannie died August 31, 1880, when a young woman of twenty-four years; Eliza is the wife of Edmund Coots; Julia M. married Palmer Waters, and died March 28, 1884, when about twenty-five years old. Charlie A. married for his first wife Miss Effie Waters, who died July 6, 1883. His present wife was before her marriage with him Mrs. Mary (Willis) Arnett. Abram is married and resides in Boise City, Idaho. That his family has resided for so long a time in Macoupin County has proved an advantage in every way to their neighbors and to the prosperity of that section of country.

In connection with this biographical notice a lithographic portrait of Mr. Mills appears on another page.