BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES, BELMONT COUNTY, OHIO

"History of the Upper Ohio Valley" Vol. II, 1890.

Presented by Linda Fluharty from hard copies provided
by Mary Staley & Phyllis Slater.

Pages 727-728.
 
REV. JAMES R. MILLS, D. D., is presiding elder of the Barnesville district of the
Methodist Episcopal church, Clarksburg, Va., became the place of his nativity in 1834.
He is of Irish-American parentage, his father, James, having been born in the north
of Ireland, came to this country at the age of eighteen, settling in Pittsburgh,
Penn. The mother, Delilah (Jones) Mills, was born in this country. James Mills, Sr.,
was ordained a minister of the Methodist Episcopal church in 1831, and in 1834 was
stationed at Clarksburg. Having been an itinerant for eight years, he took the
relation of local preacher, retaining the same until the time of his death, which
occurred in 1879. The principal of this biography went, with his parents to Wash-
ington county, Penn., when but three weeks of age. The family remained there until
1844, when they removed to Philadelphia. Staying there but one year, they returned
to Washington county, where they lived until 1850, at which time they again moved,
this time to Pittsburgh, Penn. The father was very extensively engaged in the
general merchandise business, owning eight different stores at different places.
In 1850 he entered the wholesale grocery trade, in which business he was assisted
by his son until 1858, when the latter entered Allegheny college, at Meadville,
Penn. From this institution he graduated in 1862, with the highest honors of his
class. Immediately entering the ministry, he has since performed all parts of that
work, from a nine weeks' charge to presiding elder. From 1880, to 1884, he was
presiding elder of the Cambridge district, afterward becoming a pastor for two
years. He was stationed at Massillon for one year, but his health failing him, he
was made presiding elder of the Barnesville district: In 1867, Eliza A. D. Thoburn
became his wife and helper. She is a daughter of Matthew and Jane (Lyle) Thoburn.
This union has been blessed by seven children, six of whom are living: Wilbur T.,
Edwin S., Gertrude, James R., Jr., Isabella and Victor G. Mrs. Mills was born near
St. Clairsville, Belmont Co., Ohio. Dr. Mills is an uncompromising prohibitionist.
He is a worthy servant of a great church.