Biographical Sketches
HENRY SAMUEL MILLS
In the death of this gentleman one more name was added to the list of those whose life's labors were ended and whose record was closed with the words “well done.” A man whom to know was to honor, true, gentlemanly, companionable, he commanded the respect and admiration of all and won the friendship of many. He was an illustrious prototype of a self made man. Success is not measured by the heights which one holds, but by the depths from which he has climbed; and Mr. Mills worked his way upward from a very humble position, pushing aside the barriers which obstructed his path and surmounting all obstacles until he reached the mountain top of prosperity.
His life history is as follows: born in Jefferson county, New York, on the 25th of July, 1820, he was a son of Samuel and Sallie (Smith) Mills, representatives of old New York and Connecticut families. The father died when Henry was but 5 years of age, leaving the family in very limited circumstances. After 2 years the mother took her little son, then a lad of 7, and made her way to Salem, Illinois, where her only daughter, who was married, was then living. She provided for herself and child until he was able to care for her, when he repaid her by his loving attention for all that she had done for him. As soon as old enough he began to earn his own living, and was ever faithful to the duties devolving upon him. When hardly more than a boy he was made postmaster of Salem, Illinois. Subsequently he established a little store. He lived 75 miles from St. Louis and walked to that place in order to purchase goods, after which he hauled his merchandise home in a wagon that he had borrowed from a friend. Much of his goods he disposed of from the sidewalk, for he had no store building. He met with only fair success in this undertaking, and resolved to try his fortune beyond the Mississippi. Accordingly, in 1844, he removed to Saline county, Missouri, locating in Arrow Rock, where he opened a store. His mother accompanied him, and always found a home with him until her death.
Mr. Mills had but little capital, but he possessed a resolute purpose and indefatigable energy, and succeeded in working up a large business. During this time he was married. On the 29th of January, 1852, he wedded Miss Dorothy P. Scott, daughter of Ezekiel F. Scott, an extensive pioneer of Saline county and a native of Kentucky. He gave to each of his children 400 acres of land; but Mr. Mills, not being in a very good health at that time, sold the property which his wife inherited. His entire time and attention was given to his mercantile interests, and in this undertaking he prospered, building up a large trade. Later he extended his efforts into other fields of labor, purchased farms and began dealing in cattle. From that time forward he was prominently connected with the agricultural and stock raising interests of Missouri.
Another line of endeavor claimed his attention - the banking business. He established a bank at Arrow Rock, which he conducted throughout the war. This state, situated on the border between the 2 sections, was always a region of danger. On one occasion, fearing for the safety of his deposits and determined that no one should lose through him, he buried his money. At the same time he shipped by rail several kegs filled with nails, the public supposing that these contained the money. Union officers were detailed to guard the kegs until they were placed on a boat was saved and not a single cent was lost to the depositors and the doors were closed only during the time the money was buried!
In 1880 Mr. Mills closed out his banking business at Arrow Rock and sought a broader field of labor and usefulness in Kansas City. The following day after his arrival here he opened the banking house of H. S. Mills, arrangements having previously been made by his son, Scott Mills, who was then a young man in his minority. The new establishment was opened for business on the 1st of September, 1880, and was called the Bank of the State of Missouri. To this he gave his personal attention. Some time afterward this bank was closed and a new one established by the firm of H. S. Mills & Son, which was successfully conducted until the death of the junior partner, on the 6th of April, 1886. A short time before H. S. Mills passed away, he foresaw the closing of his business in case of his own demise, and hence incorporated under the name of the bank of H. S. Mills. He was a most capable financier, who studied closely the attitude of the country on the money question and was most thoroughly informed concerning it. In his own banking institution he received a liberal patronage, for the thorough reliability of Mr. Mills was well known and his integrity and honor above question. In connection with his other enterprises he was largely interested in farming in Saline and Pettis counties, holding large tracts of valuable land. His reliable judgment of human nature always enabled him to secure good men to operate his land, and from this branch of his business he secured a handsome income. His relations with tenants were always pleasant, and many of them remained on his farms for a number of years. At the present time one of his farms is being operated by a man who has lived upon it for 18 years.
Scott Mills devoted his service entirely to the bank, and became a most capable banker. As a boy he had learned the printer's trade, and edited a small paper at Arrow Rock. He was interested in journalistic work, but decided to remain with his father, whose judgment he held in great esteem. He was closely attached to his parents, and his death came as a stunning blow to them. He was taken ill on the 1st of April, 1886, and on the 6th of that month passed away.
Both the father and mother felt his loss very keenly. He stood not alone in the relationship of son to the former, but they were also companions, friends and business associates, and the death of the son no doubt hastened that of Mr. Mills. The latter gave his attention untiringly to his business until his own health compelled him to seek a change. In the family there were also two daughters, -- Zella and Emma. The former became the wife of Joseph Field, of Slater, Missouri, and died at the age of 39, leaving 3 children, Henry W., Percy C. and Lucile Mills, who now reside with their grandmother. Emma is the wife of E. B. Field, cashier of the bank which was founded by her father.
Entirely without capital save a courageous spirit, determined purpose and enterprise, Mr. Mills started out in life for himself. His success seemed almost phenomenal, but it came not as the result of a combination of fortunate circumstances, but as the reward of earnest and persistent labor, sagacity and laudable ambition. The history of his business life is somewhat familiar to the public, and the lessons contained in his private career are none the less exemplary. He was a prominent member of the Calvary Baptist church, to which his wife also belongs, and took an active part in erecting the new house of worship. He was deeply interested in the welfare of his fellow men, and often extended the right-hand of fellowship and aid to those less fortunate than himself. He seemed imbued with the benevolent spirit that underlies the Masonic fraternity, of which he was a lifelong and active member, joining the organization soon after attaining his majority. While in Kansas City he served as high priest or Orient chapter. He was also a member of the Commercial club, and took an interest in its advancement. It was probably in his home, however, that his true life was manifest. He was devoted to his wife and children, and did all in his power to promote their welfare. He erected a handsome residence at No. 1118 E. 8th Street, and supplied it with all the comforts that wealth could secure and art devise. A library of choice books indicates the literary taste of the family. Mr. Mills was himself a great reader, and even when a poor boy he purchased and eagerly perused a number of standard volumes which are still in the bookcases. He was very familiar with the best literature of the world, and was especially fond of history and poetry. He frequently would write little poems which contained beautiful thoughts and displayed considerable poetic ability, but his attention was given to his business. He was also a deep lover of music, and heard some of the finest performers of the present day. In the Fall of 1890 Mr. Mills went to the East, where he spent several months in rest in New York City and at Ocean Grove. In November he started homeward, but died in Chicago, on the 9th of that month. His remains were brought back to Kansas City, and with Masonic honors were interred in Elmwood cemetery.
This page was last updated August 2, 2006.