Herbert L. Mills

Company L.

Sergeant Mills was born in Kalamazoo county, Michigan, July 18th, 1840. At the age of fourteen years he moved with his parents to Buchanan county, Iowa, spending the time summers breaking prairie and working on the farm, and attending school winters, until twenty years of age, when he went to Western College in Linn county, and decided to persevere and get a college education. But when the call came for volunteers in 1861 he gave up all and went to his country's rescue. Of his faithful service, those who were with him can testify. While his regiment was after Price during his raid in Missouri he contracted the rheumatism, and was confined about three months with it in the hospital at Jefferson City, Missouri, during the winter of [1864]. While in the service of his country his parents had removed to Michigan, and after his discharge he returned to them. His desire for a better education remained, and he attended school at Olivet College during the winter of 1866-67. Here he became acquainted with Elvira Tabor, whom he married, and together they moved to Harrison county, Iowa, where they made for themselves a home out of the unbroken prairie. But the rheumatism oft returned until it refused to lessen its grip, and he became a constant sufferer and unable to walk without a cane or crutch. Six bright children were given him, and his first great grief came in the death of his first born, a boy of nine years, who was killed by the kick of a horse. Three children were buried there, when with failing health he again returned to Olivet, Michigan, with his family, where he still resides. He is thus enabled to give his remaining children, two young ladies and a young lad named Herbert L., the educational privileges he so much desired for himself. Helplessness has slowly crept upon him, until he is now perfectly helpless, unable to move hand or foot. Has not walked for nine years or used a hand for one year. But the same brave, patient, cheerful spirit is his yet which he had in the army, and he can say. "God's will be done." He is cared for by his loving, faithful wife all these years, assisted by loving children and an aged mother. He receives a pension which supports him.

SOURCE: Charles H. Lothrop, A History Of The First Regiment Iowa Cavalry Veteran Volunteers, p. 350