Silas Millis

Silas Millis

SILAS MILLIS, farmer, sec. 26, Denver Tp., was born in Erie Co., N.Y., Oct. 15, 1827. His parents, John and Lois (Porter) Millis, were natives of New England and Scotch and German descent. They moved to New York in an early day and settled upon a farm. Having received a good common-school education, Silas, at the age of 19, started out to do for himself. Farming being his chosen occupation, he went vigorously to work in that direction for one year, and then, for a time, worked i a saw-mill. July 2, 1847, he was married, in his native country, to Miss Mary A. Ide, daughter of Oliver and Caroline Ide, natives of New York, who was born, reared and and educated in that State, in the vicinity of Rochester. Two years after the marriage of Mr. and Mrs. Millis, they moved to another locality, in Erie County, where Mr. Millis farmed two years, and in the summer of 1854 they came to this State, settling near Grand rapids. In the fall of 1856 they moved to this county and settled in Denver Township, where he has since resided. His first purchase of land was 120 acres, to which he has since added 40 acres, and now he owns a quarter section of fine land, with 120 acres improved. Oct. 4, 1872, Mrs. Millis died, leaving nine children; their names are as follows: Caroline R., Junius A., Silas E., Emery E., Eber O., Amherst L., Oliver R., Arthur A. and Frances E.; Mary A. and Irvin N. are deceased. dec. 25, 1872, Mr. Millis married for a second wife Miss Margaret Johnson, daughter of Elijah A. and Vestie (Doud) Johnson, natives of Canada and New York, respectively, who was born in the vicinity of Detroit, Oct. 24, 1848. She spent eight years in her birth-place, six years in Hillsdale Co., Mich., and 11 years in California. She then came to this county and remained until her marriage. Mr. and Mrs. Millis have three children: William E., Effie L and John B. They are members of the M.E. Church, and in politics Mr. M. is a Republican.

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