Rensselaer Semi-Weekly Republican, Volume 36, Number 73, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 6 May 1904 — CHARLES E. MILLS. [ARTICLE]

CHARLES E. MILLS.

Charles E. Mills was born at Ottowa, 111., Aug, 7,1856, died at Rensselaer. Ind., April 30, 19C4, days. His father is Daniel O. Mills, and his grandfather was Daniel Mills and the latter was once associated with the father of Roscoe Conkling, the great orator, in the manufacture of veneering, a Cohoes Fall. N w York, the first factory of the kind in the United States. Mr. Mills’ ancestry were English. He was raised on a farm, educated in the public schools and at Adrian College, at Adrian, Mich. He taught school for seme years studying law at the same time under lhe instruction of Ottowa, IP., lawyers. In 1883, he moved to Remington, and in 1888 was ad mitted to the bar and in 1891 moved to Rensselaei, which has since been his residence, and where be had built np and good and lucrative practive, in the various branches of the profession. He was also one of the organizers of the Jasper County Telephone Company, and held the position of secretary of the company from i*s organization until his death.

He was the first county assessor Jasper County ever had, and also served as prosecuting attorney of this Judicial circuit, his term ending in 1900 Both positions were filled,with ability and strict fidelity In politics he was an active Republican and filled various positions of importance in the party organization; having been both secretary and chairman of the county organization, and at his death was serving his fourth term as secretary of the congressional district c mmittee. In 1894 he was the choice of this county for joint representative, and came within two votes of being nominated. He was a member of the Old Fellows and Knights of Pythias orders. His wife was Miss Anna Rebecca-Smith, of Marseilles, 111., daughter of Charles P. Smith, and a direct decendent of a signer of the Declaration of Independence, She survives him and also their three sons, Edward F. of Chicago, and Emoiy S. and Charles Howard of Rensielaer.

The funeral was held Monday afternoon at the residence, and under direction of Iroquois Lodge of Odd Fellows, which attended in a body. Rev. A, G. Work pastor of the Presbyterian church conducted the religious services. The attendance was very large; and the floral tributes many and very fine. The pall bearers were, Judge C. W. Hanley and Judson J. Hunt, for the bar; E. D. Rhoades and R B. Harris, of the Lodge, and Delos Thompson and J. J. Montgomery, for the telephone company. Interment was made in Wedton cemetery.