WI BIO - Dane Co - MILLS, James F.
Biographical Review of Dane County, WI. Chicago: Biographical Review Pub. Co. 
1893, Vol II, pp 480-481

James F. MILLS, one of the oldest and best known engineers of the Chicago, 
Milwaukee & St. Paul Railroad, has been with this road since 19 August 1867, 
and in the employ of this company since 1859. Mr. MILLS was born in Portland 
[Cumberland County], Maine, 20 Sep 1841, and was only two years old when he 
came with his parents to Wisconsin. They settled on low land at Black Earth, 
Dane County, and continued there for several years, then removed to Cross 
Plains Township, Dane County. The father, James MILLS, went to California in 
1849, in company with others. The party crossed the plains, but he was 
delayed at Salt Lake City for some time on account of sickness, so that it 
was about a year from the time of starting when he arrived at the gold 
section. They established a claim, which they worked. He had arranged to 
return home after making some money, but was never heard of after this by his 
family. He was in the prime of life when he disappeared. His widow has 
since been a resident of the old home at Cross Plains, Dane County, and is 
now an old lady aged seventy-five years. In spite of her age she is very 
active, and bears her years better than many a younger person. She has 
mourned the death of her husband for many years, knowing that nothing but the 
dread messenger itself could have kept him from her and his family.

James F. MILLS grew up on the old homestead until he was ten or twelve years 
of age, when he felt that it was time for him to begin to support himself, so 
the brave little fellow started out, engaging in whatever came to hand, a few 
years later engaging as brakeman on the railroad, changing from that to the 
position of fireman. Before he became of age the tocsin of war was sounded, 
and he, like many another brave young man, rushed to the aid of his country, 
enlisting in Company D, a railroad company, commanded by Captain FILBROOKS, 
the shop foreman. They were consigned to the 24th WI Volunteer Infantry, and 
served in the battle of Perryville, Kentucky, and Murfreesboro, Tennessee, 
and also at the battle of Chickamauga, Tennessee, 20 September 1863, when our 
subject was captured by the enemy and taken to Richmond, to the Libby Prison, 
and afterward to Danville. A while later he was changed to Andersonville 
prison, where he suffered with different ones for fourteen months, but finally 
was exchanged in November 1864. It was not intended to exchange him, but he 
fortunately made his escape with a number of prisoners who were exchanged. 
After being paroled two months he joined his regiment and received an 
honorable discharge, after a service of two years and ten months. Although 
never wounded he had some narrow escapes in many of the battles. His intense 
sufferings in Andersonville prison were more terrible than the most painful 
wounds, and he is deservedly of as much, if not more pity on that account 
than if he had suffered from the effects of severe hurts obtained on the 
field of battle. He is a member of the C. C. Washburn [p 481] Post, G. A. 
R., No. 11. In politics he is a good Republican, and takes an interest in 
local matters. Socially he is connected with the Master Masons.

Mr. MILLS has been a most capable passenger engineer on what is known as the 
East End, or Rockford [Winnebago County, IL] division of the Chicago, 
Milwaukee & St. Paul railroad. During the past thirty years of faithful 
service he has lost only about two months, and has never had any serious 
accident. He is well known on the road and is prominent among the engineers 
and other railroad men, being a member of the Order of Railroad Engineers, 
Division No. 73 of Madison [Dane County, WI], in which he has held the minor 
offices.

James F. MILLS was married at Black Earth [Dane County, WI] to P. M. 
BOUTTELL, born in Onondaga County, New York, in 1845, but came West after 
receiving a high school education in her native State. She then attended the 
State University of Wisconsin at Madison for some time, later engaging in 
teaching until her marriage. She is a very intelligent lady of fine mental 
attainments. She has been the mother of five children, one deceased, namely: 
Jimie, died when about seven years of age in 1881. Those living are: 
Jennie K., at home, a finely educated young lady; Charles E., a fireman on 
the East End, Prairie du Chien [Grant County, WI] Division of the Chicago, 
Milwaukee & St. Paul railroad, lives at home; Omro B., a delivery clerk in 
Madison; and Philip L., at home.

Submitted by Cathy Kubly