JAMES A. MILLS, farmer on sec. 20, Mecosta Tp., was born Sept. 7, 1847. He is a son of Alexander and Sarah (More) Mills, natives of Scotland and early emigrants to St. Johns, N.B., where the son was born. Mr. Mills took his fortunes into his own hands at nine years of age. He ran away to sea in the capacity of cabin boy, and was in that position two years when he became shipmate. He was promoted to the post of second mate, and so performed his duties that he was offered the position of first mate, but declined, as he had determined to withdraw from a seafaring life. He had a desire to engage in the whale-fishing service of the Northern Ocean, and spent some months in the dangers and excitements of that life. He then engaged in cod-fishing service and followed it on the coast of Gaspe, Can. After four months he connected himself with a company of seal fishers and spent a considerable time in that region of icebergs. He then quitted ocean life and went to Upper Canada, where he remained but a brief time. His next remove was to Texas, where he was occupied some months in herding cattle. Coming north, via New York, to Canada, in 1859, he visited his native place. He came to Saginaw, Mich. and there operated as a lumberman one year, and was also engaged some what in river driving.
Mr. Mills came to Big Rapids in the fall of 1860, where he remained until his marriage. That event occurred July 8, 1861, to Mary, daughter of Jesse R. and Lydia (Mash) Green. Her parents were natives of Canada, where she was born Sept. 17, 1847. Mr. and Mrs. Mills have had one child, Alice May, born May 31, 1875. Mr. Mills is a Democrat.
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