- JAMES MILLS, B.S., M.D., a prominent physician of Janesville,
is a native of Rock County, and
- was born on the 25th day of July, 1852. His father, Peter
MILLS, one of Rock County's early settlers, was born in Perthshire,
Scotland, Feb.. 7, 1818. He was reared in his native land, and
there learned the trade of a miller. On the 7th day of November,
1841, he was united in marriage with Miss Jane PEACOCK, and in
1849 they emigrated to America, locating on Rock Prairie in Rock
County, where Mr. MILLS engaged in farming. Their children were
four in number: Mary, the eldest, born May 3, 1843, is the wife
of Alexander McGREGOR; Peter, born Jan. 18, 1846, enlisted in
the late war as a member of the 13th Wisconsin regiment, and
died at Fort Henry, Tenn., Dec. 16, 1862; Margaret, born Nov.
27, 1850, died in infancy. The Doctor was the youngest of the
family, and was but four days old when his father died. Mr. MILLS'
death occurred on his farm in Rock Prairie, July 29, 1852, from
cholera, at the early age of thirty-four years. Though he died
thus early in life he was naturally of a strong constitution,
possessing great strength and powers of endurance. He was well
educated, energetic, industrious and highly esteemed.
- After the death of her husband the mother of our subject,
by hard work and careful management,
- carried on the farm and provided for her family. In 1854
she became the wife of John HENRY. They now reside on the old
homestead, and one child has been born to them, Margaret Jane,
born March 10, 1863, who still lives with her parents.
- The subject of our sketch was reared to manhood on the old
homestead in Johnstown. He
- worked on the farm with unceasing industry, the only relaxation
being his attendance at the district school during the winter
months. In 1869 he entered Milton College, where he attended
several winter terms. His ambition did not slumber, and finding
himself partly dependent upon his own energies to secure an education,
he began farming for himself during the summer and attending
the college during the winter. In 1875 he taught school in the
old school house where he first attended. He still pursued his
college course, and for several terms was one of the assistant
teachers. In 1879 he graduated. Desiring to make the practice
of medicine his profession, he, with untiring zeal and well-directed
ambition, entered the office of Dr. Henry PALMER as a student,
and a year later entered the Chicago Medical College, from which
he graduated with honors in 1883. During his last year at college
he was appointed Assistant Surgeon of the Chicago & Northwestern
Railroad Company, which is strong proof of the ability he possessed
as a student, and which afforded him a wide experience in surgical
practice. This position he held for one year. A few days after
his graduation he received the appointment of Assistant Physician
in the Insane Hospital at Elgin, Ill, where he remained two years.
His practice here afforded him valuable opportunity for knowledge
in the treatment of the insane. Desiring still further to extend
his medical researches and widen his experience, before entering
general practice, he resigned this position and went to Scotland,
taking a course in the Edinburgh Medical University and Edinburgh
Infirmary and Lying-in-Hospital, where, among over eight hundred
patients, his observations at the bedside and in the operating
room were extensive. Going then to London, he spent several months
making observations in surgery in King's College Hospital under
Sir James Lister and other eminent surgeons, also in hospitals
devoted to the treatment of the diseases of women and children,
and at Brampton Hospital for the diseases of the chest. This
proved a valuable and instructive school to him, in which he
learned the methods used by many of the most eminent physicians
and surgeons in Europe, and which has been of inestimable value
in his practice. Leaving London, he spent some time in Paris
pursuing the same course and visiting the principal places of
interest. He visited the chief art galleries of London, Paris
and Versailles, and brought home with him a choice collection
gathered at those places.
- While in Europe Dr. MILLS wrote a series of letters concerning
cities, places and things of those
- countries. These articles were published in the Janesville
Gazette and were widely read and universally praised. In 1885,
prior to his leaving Scotland, he became a member of the Edinburgh
Obstetrical Society, a long-established and famous organization.
He is also a member of the State Medical Society and Knights
of Pythias.
- In the month of August, Dr. MILLS returned from the old countries,
and at once began the
- practice of his profession at Janesville, where he has since
resided. Both as physician and surgeon he has attained an enviable
reputation, such as many an older practitioner might well be
proud of, his practice being chiefly confined to the best classes
of people in both city and country. He is a thorough scholar
and a true gentleman, and has the confidence and respect of the
community. Everything he undertakes bears the unmistakable impress
of energy and sound judgment.
- Feb. 13, 1888, the Rock County Caledonian Society was organized
and the Doctor was chosen
- President, which office he still holds.
- May 12, 1886, he led to the marriage altars Miss Emma F.
CHAMBERLAIN, only daughter of
- James CHAMBERLAIN of La Prairie. Mrs. MILLS is also a graduate
of Milton College, class of 1878. On April 16, 1889, was born
to them a son, Wallace C. MILLS. Dr. MILLS has just erected a
handsome residence on East Milwaukee street, which home is an
ornament to the city.
- Since their residence in Janesville they have become members
of the Presbyterian Church of that
- place. They enjoy an extensive acquaintance, being greatly
esteemed by all who know them, and rank high in the social world.
-
- Taken from "The Portrait and Biographical Album of
Rock County, Wis." (c)1889, pp. 638-640.
-
- Courtesy of Carol
|