Source: Clarkson W. Weesner, History of Wabash County Indiana (1914), Vol. II, pp. 967-968.

HENRY MILLS.  The residence of this venerable gentleman in Wabash county covers a period of more than sixty years, he having taken up his abode here in 1854. From that time until the present he has been engaged in a variety of pursuits, all connected with the rising mercantile, commercial and agricultural interests of this section, with whose growth he has been intimately related, and with whose phenomenal prosperity he has prospered. At this time he is vice president of the Browne-Mills Electric company, of North Manchester, and of the J.A. Browne company, of this city, and also has large farming interests near Laketon and North Manchester.

Mr. Mills was born November 18, 1839, in Montgomery county, Ohio, and is a son of John and Mary Ann (Singer) Mills. His father was born at Mount Holly, Monmouth county, New Jersey, a son of Joshua and Lucy (Curlis) Mills, there being seven sons and four daughters in the family. John Mills received a good common school education, and after spending some time in studying surveying went to Montgomery county, Ohio, in young manhood. There he was married to Mary Ann Singer, and in June, 1854, they came to Wabash county, Indiana, and settled east of North Manchester. Mr. Mills devoted the greater part of his attention to agricultural pursuits and was successful in his ventures because of his industry, perseverance and well-directed efforts. A republican in politics, he took a keen and intelligent interest in local matters, and was known as one of his party's influential men. His death occurred about thirty years ago, and he was survived by his widow for about eight years.

Henry Mills received his education in the vicinity of his birthplace, and accompanied his parents to Wabash county as a lad. Here he grew to manhood on the home farm, and on December 25, 1859, was united in marriage with Miss Rachel Baugher, daughter of Henry and Elizabeth Baugher, pioneers of Whitley and Noble counties. Three children have been born to this union, namely: Eleanora, who is the wife of J.A. Browne; John A.; and Elizabeth B., who resides with her parents. After his marriage, Mr. Mills embarked in agricultural operations on his own account, but in 1864 moved to North Manchester, where he established himself in the grocery business, to which he subsequently added a stock of clothing. He continued to be the proprietor of this enterprise for some thirty years, during which it grew to large proportions, due to his energy and progressive spirit. In January, 1882, he embarked in the lumber business with J.A. Browne, under the fir style of the J.A. Browne Company, a firm which is still rated among the leading business houses of the city. The electric lighting plant at North Manchester was established by George Burdge, but after several years of changes, during which the affairs of the plant were in anything but a satisfactory condition, it became the property of Mills & Browne, and has since remained under their control. It has continued to be successful, and is giving the people of the city excellent service. During his long residence in Wabash county, Mr. Mills has invested considerable capital in farming properties, and at this time owns two fine tracts, of 250 and 270 acres respectively, near North Manchester and Laketon, these properties being operated by renters under Mr. Mills' supervision. He is a stockholder and director of the Lawrence National Bank and one of his city's leading business citizens along various lines of endeavor. In politics a republican, he has never cared for public office, preferring to confine his attentions to his extensive private interests. In a general way he is interested in the Christian Science church.