Raymond Isaac Mills Former Mayor of Des Moines, Iowa 1956-1957

 Raymond Isaac Mills (1899–1987)

While tracing the line from Peter Mills and Mary Stanley through their sons Elias and Isaac, I discovered that Raymond Isaac Mills—Elias’s son and my 2nd grandmother Sarah Elizabeth Mills’s cousin—had almost no recorded family story.

It moved me to realize that a man who served his city so faithfully had not yet had his life shared within our family history. I felt strongly that his story needed to be written so future generations of the Mills family would know him and honor his life.

Raymond Isaac Mills (1899–1987), son of Elias Mills and Mary Jane Breece of Warren County, Iowa, was the nephew of Isaac Josephe Mills. Isaac Josephe Mills was the father of Sarah Elizabeth Mills, my 2nd grandmother. Therefore, Raymond Isaac Mills was my 2nd grandmother’s first cousin.

Raymond's Story: 

Raymond Isaac Mills was born April 2, 1899, near Liberty Center in Warren County, Iowa, the son of Elias Mills and Mary Jane Breece. He came from a long line of Midwestern pioneers. His grandfather, Peter Mills—known as “Peter Mills the hatter”—was born about 1796 and moved from Warren County, Indiana, to Iowa in 1847. Peter’s son Elias grew up in Jefferson County, Iowa, bound out to a Quaker farmer named Joel Paxton, and later fought bravely in the Civil War with the 13th Iowa Infantry, serving at Shiloh and marching with Sherman to the sea.

After the war Elias became a successful farmer, stockman, banker, and civic leader in Warren County. He married Mary Jane Breece, and among their children was Raymond Isaac Mills. Thus Raymond was born into a family known for hard work, military service, and public responsibility.

Raymond grew up on Iowa farmland but moved to Des Moines as a young man. During the Great Depression he joined the bakery drivers‑salesmen’s union and quickly rose through the labor movement, eventually becoming President of Teamsters Joint Council No. 45 and administrator of the Iowa State Federation of Labor.

In 1950 he was elected to the Des Moines City Council, and in 1956 he became Mayor. He represented working families during a period of rapid growth in the city.

In August 1952 Raymond was struck with polio and was paralyzed. Doctors feared he would die, but after months of therapy at Warm Springs, Georgia, he learned to walk again with braces and crutches. Friends sometimes carried his wheelchair up City Council steps, but he never let his disability stop him.

Raymond married Rose, and they had one son, Eugene Ramon Mills, a World War II Navy veteran and civil engineer, who married Colleen Shugart and raised daughters Vickie, Janet, and Debra.

In 1961 declining health forced Raymond to retire from politics. He moved to Florida and worked as an information officer for the U.S. Department of Labor, later returning to Iowa to live in Jewell. He died June 6, 1987, at age 88 and was buried in Ames Municipal Cemetery.

Raymond Isaac Mills carried forward the legacy of Peter Mills the hatter and Civil War veteran Elias Mills. His life of labor leadership, public service, perseverance, and devotion to family stands as an important chapter in the Mills family history of Iowa.

Mills Meets New Grandchild
(photo caption)
Ray Mills, 50, president of the Iowa State Federation of Labor and Des Moines city councilman, has arms full of grandchildren as he gets acquainted with month-old Janet Jean, whom he had not seen before, and reacquainted with Vickie Lynn, 3½, daughters of Mr. and Mrs. Eugene Mills. Mr. Mills a victim of polio, arrived home Saturday after four months as a patient at Warm Springs, Ga.

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Raymond Mills President of the Iowa State Federation of Labor 

and Des Moines city councilman

The Des Moines Register

Des Moines, Iowa

Sun, May 3, 1953 · Page 16

“I’m Over the Hump,” Mills Says of His Polio Battle
By Nick Lamberto
A 50-year-old labor leader and city councilman came back home Saturday, confident he is winning his battle against polio—a battle that began 8 months ago.
It was last Aug. 18 when Ray Mills, president of the Iowa State Federation of Labor and Des Moines city councilman, was stricken by polio.
He was paralyzed from the neck down.
“Over the Hump.”
But Saturday, Ray relaxed in an easy chair at his home at 1519 Osceola ave., and recounted the progress made during his more than four months at Warm Springs, Ga. He can walk with crutches now.
“I’m over the hump,” Mills said. “I’ll be able to do everything I did before.”
Mills and his wife drove from Warm Springs to Des Moines, a 1,000-mile trip, in four days. Mrs. Mills did all the driving.
One of the persons Mills was most eager to see was his new granddaughter, Janet Jean Mills, just a month old.
Ray’s only son, Eugene, and his family are living at the Mills’ residence temporarily. Eugene just went to work a week ago for the state highway commission at Ames. Before that he lived at Topeka, Kan.
On Hand.
Ray’s other granddaughter, Vickie Lynn, 3½, was also on hand to welcome her granddad.
“I’m eager to attend my first council meeting next Monday,” Mills said. “I haven’t got anything to raise a stink about yet—guess that’ll be new if I don’t. I haven’t any comment on the present building trade strike—I don’t know enough about the situation.”
“I do have some opinions about the proposed zoning ordinance before the city council.”
“Out of Business.”
“According to what I’ve read about an entire section owns a grocery store and the store burns down, he’s out of business for life. He can’t remodel, he can’t anything.”
“It seems like a slow process of elimination. There’s no union involved (Mills paused and chuckled) but it just doesn’t seem right.”
“I’m not against a zoning ordinance, just parts of it that can be modified.”
Strict Diet.
Mills was put on a strict diet by the doctors at Warm Springs.
He has lost a pound and a half a week and now weighs 170 pounds.
“I’m still supposed to lose another 10 pounds,” Mills said. “Every pound I take off it’s that much easier to walk.”
“It’s still awfully slow walking. I just barely hobble. But it’s so much better than when I started.”
Mills uses special crutches and braces made of aluminum and leather. The braces weigh 7 pounds.
“I have no knee muscles,” Mills explained. “These braces help keep my knees locked and protect what muscles I have.”
Really Strong.
“My arm muscles are really strong now and first my arm and stomach muscles were paralyzed—everything from the neck down. You keep improving with time, I guess.”
“Several muscles that help keep my balance were gone, so I had to develop new muscles. That’s where underwater therapy and muscle stretching exercises help.”
Mills was hospitalized last Aug. 25 after being ill 10 weeks before. He left Des Moines for Warm Springs Dec. 20, the trip arranged by the National Foundation for Infantile Paralysis.
“Des Moines looked wonderful when we hit town,” Mills said. “I’m eager for the council meeting. I’m not going to confine myself to the back yard.”

“And I’m running for re-election as state labor president.”

Possibly Children of Elias Mills of Warren County and Lucas County, Iowa

All of these photos were given to me by another Mills relative. Based on the area of the photo studio, and other pictures I have of Elias Mills and his family, it's possible these are children of Elias Mills or other relatives. Photos taken around 1890's at the time cabinet card photos were common, also judging from the identified photo below of his sons Herman and Jesse. 

(Above) If this is Elias Mills son, this could be Abel Edwards Mills or Norvel Rafe Mills. If the photo was taken around 1890/91.

Back of photo reads: Jesse Irvan Mill and Herman Everette Mills sons of Elias Mills

(Above) Herman Mills was born 1881, which may place this photo around 1890/91 if he was around 9 or 10 year old and his brother Jesse Mills was born 1884 and he appears to be around 6 years old in this photo. 

George Washington Loveall

George Washington Loveall, born 10 May 1836 in Van Buren Twp, Clay County, IN. Father Thomas Loveall and Sarah A. Clark. He died on 11 Oct 1895 at his home in White Breast Twp,, Warren County, Iowa near Lucas County, Iowa. He was one of the oldest settlers in this area, lived there 25 years. Below is the home him and Amanda lived in with their children and my great grandfather William Andrew McClelland Lovell who is the first person in this picture below.

His father Thomas Loveall was last living in Clay County, Indiana and was said to have been the father of 29 children in all.

George Washington Loveall

Photo of George Washington Loveall, wife Amanda Mullens and some of their children. I have the original photo, this was stored by George's granddaughter and my grandmother Edna Lois Lovell-Brower. The son 3rd from the left is Edna's father William Andrew McClelland Lovell. The photo would have been taken in front of their stone cabin in Lacona, Warren, Iowa. 

Obituary of George Washington Loveall 

Chariton Herald

Thu, Oct 17, 1895 Page : 7

Died, George Loveall, Sr .living northwest of Oakley just across the line in Warren County, died in his home at 4 o'clock last Friday morning after a sickness of six weeks, the immediate cause of death being apoplexy. The funeral service took place on Saturday afternoon at the family home, conducted by Rev. Blanchard, pastor of the Christian church of Lacona, which Mr. Loveall was a member. Mr. Loveall is well known to the people of Lucas County, being one amount the old settlers, having lived at this farm for the past 25 years and was respected by all people who knew him. 

Edna Lois Lovell-Brower

Edna Lois Lovell was born on April 25, 1914 in White Breast Township, Warren County, Iowa. Her father was William Andrew McClelland Lovell and Clara Viola Vickroy. Edna was the youngest of 13 siblings. 

Edna Lois Lovell and sister Viola Mamie Lovell. Viola was born June 27, 1909 and married Bain Kendall.   

Grandma Edna Lois Lovell on the farm in White Breast Twp., Warren County, Iowa. She was bout 16 years old here. 

Halloween ! Grandma Edna Lois Lovell and her sister Viola Mamie Lovell.  

Grandma Edna Lois Lovell and her friend Mrs. Stover, being silly and pretending to tilt the liquor bottle. 

My father Jack Lee Brower and grandma Edna Lois Lovell-Brower.

Grandma Edna Lois Lovell-Brower in front of her home in Chariton, Iowa. 

Edna Lois Lovell

Vol. 104 NO. 49, Chariton Iowa, Tuesday, Dec. 7, 1971 - The Chariton Leader - "Honorary Shoshonean" 

Mrs. Lois Brower sits amid her toys, dolls, dresses and assorted novelties that will be shipped to Indian tribal reservations in Wyoming and Nevada for Christmas if she can come up with the necessary postage. She is wearing a Shoshonean tribal necklace, bestowed on her by her adopted family in Wyoming, which makes her an "honorary" member of the tribe. 

Edna Lois Brower - Houseful of Goodwill Chariton Herald Patriot Newspaper Nov 9, 1972

Mrs. Edna Lois Brower of Chariton sits in the midst of the clothing and bedding that she plans to personally deliver next month to the Navajo Indians in Arizona. Mrs. Brower plans to leave Dec. 10 if she can find financial support for the journey. Mrs. Brower, a former missionary to the Indians, is also collecting food to take to the Indians for their Christmas dinner. 

Most people who knew my grandmother remember this bus. She made a bus full of toys for the Navajo Indian children in Arizona. Grandma would drive this bus all the way from Iowa to the Arizona reservation and would let the children come on the bus and pick one toy. 

Rest in Peace Grandma. I miss you dearly!

 Edna Lois Lovell-Brower passed away on May 01, 1984

Obituary of Edna Lois Lovell-Brower

Joseph Israel Vickroy and Clara Viola Vickroy-Lovell

Joseph Israel Vickroy and Clara Viola Vickroy, children of John Wesley Vickroy and Margaret Louisa Cain. 

William Andrew McClelland Lovell and Clara Viola Vickroy

This is the home of my great grandparents, William Andrew McClelland Lovell and Clara Viola Vickroy.

William is one of 13 children of George Washington Loveall/Lovell and Amanda Carolina Mullins. Clarla Vickroy is also one of 12 children of John Wesley Vickroy and Margaret Louisa Cain. 

1915 White Breast Township, Warren County, Iowa. See plat maps for location of this house and property.

Right click on map and open in new tab for a better view

U.S. Indexed County Land Ownership Maps 1902 For Warren County, Iowa

Plat map is for Township 74 North, Range 22, West, of Fifth Principal Meridian - White Breast

In the lower left corner you will see the 62 acres of land for Elias Mills, born 26 Mar 1839 who was the son of Peter Mills and Mary Jane Stanley. Nearby is also 72 acres of land for George Washington Loveall/Lovell, who was born on 10 May 1836 and married Amanda Mullins. George passed away in 1895, so the land records were probably not updated when this plat was done. His son William Andrew McClelland Lovell owns approx. 100 acres in several sections. Also nearby is H. Rube who I'm assuming is Henry Ruble who passed away in 1870, in this area. This land for H. Rube is later deeded to his daughter and my 2x great grandmother Lydia Ruble-Mills by 1915. On 40 acres adjacent to the land currently described as H. Rube 40 and near William Andrew Lovell's property is Lydia Ruble's son Joseph "Joe" Mills who was married to Myra Linson and then Mary Jane Fantzwere. 

 This section of property boarders Lucas County, Iowa. 

Right click on map and open in new tab for a better view

U.S. Indexed County Land Ownership Maps 1915 For Warren County, Iowa

Plat map is for Township 74 North, Range 22, West, of Fifth Principal Meridian - White Breast

14 years after the last plat map was produced in 1902 for Warren County, Iowa, we now see the property that was once owned by George Washington Lovell, is now owned by his son William Andrew McClelland Lovell.  The property that was once listed as H. Rube (probably Henry Ruble) is now owned by his daughter Lydia Ruble-Mills. 

William Andrew McClelland Lovell and wife Clara Viola Vickroy

William is holding grandson Virgil Croy, son of Homer Croy and Margaret Marie Lovell. Clara is holding Roy Goering, son of Gladys Caroline Lovell and George Ferdinaud Goering and in the middle is Alice Goering.

Marriage Certificate of James Allen Brower and Sarah Elizabeth Mills

This original marriage certificate was provided by Frank Crooks who is the son of Anna Brower, daughter of James Allen Brower. I'm forever grateful for Frank's contribution to our family history.

James Allen Brower from Lucas County, Iowa, married Sady E. Mills (Sarah E. Mills), of Warren County, Iowa. Witness: Lydia Mills (mother) and A. W. Brower (Albert W. Brower - brother) on 01 Jan 1896.