Alfred Elmer Mills

NJGenWeb ~ Morris County, New Jersey

Alfred Elmer Mills

Source: History Morris County New Jersey, Volume II, Lewis Publishing Co., 1914

Alfred Elmer MILLS, a lawyer of exceptionally high ability and attainments, practicing his profession in Morristown, is a worthy representative of a family who have made their home in New Jersey for many centuries, the story of their lives having been inseparably interwoven with the history of the State. He was born in Morristown, New Jersey, July 22, 1858, son Alfred and Katherine Elmer (COE) MILLS, and grandson of Lewis and Sarah Ann (ESTE) MILLS.

Alfred Mills (father) was born in Morristown, New Jersey, July 24, 1827. He attended Morris Academy and Yale University, graduating from the latter in 1847. He studied law in the office of Edward W. WHELPLEY, later chief justice of New Jersey, and was admitted to the bar as an attorney in 1851, and in 1854 as a counsellor. In 1856 he formed a partnership with Jacob W. MILLER, which connection continued until the death of Mr. MILLER in 1862. Until 1872 Mr. MILLS practiced alone, then formed a partnership with William E. CHURCH, under the style of MILLS & CHURCH, which continued until 1883. Mr. MILLS was elected mayor of Morristown in 1874 and served two years, and he also served as prosecutor of the pleas for Morris County. He was highly honored in his native city, and was a powerful influence for good in the community. He married September 24, 1857, Katharine Elmer, daughter of Judge Aaron and Katharine (ELMER) COE, of Westfield, New Jersey, who bore him four daughters and two sons.

Alfred Elmer MILLS attended the schools of Morristown, Trinity School at Tivoli on the Hudson, and Princeton University, from which he received the degree of Bachelor of Arts in 1882, and the degree of Master of Arts in 1885. He pursued a course of study in law under the competent preceptorship of his father at Morristown, and was admitted as an attorney at the June term of the Supreme Court, 1886, and became a counsellor at the same term in 1889. He associated in practice with his father, and in due course of time gained for himself a high reputation among his professional brethren and a distinctive clientele, a number of important cases being entrusted to him. He served as corporation counsel of Morristown from 1892 to 1894; in 1898 was appointed prosecutor of the pleas for Morris county, his term to expire in 1903, when he was appointed president judge of the court of common pleas of Morris county, and in 1908 he was reappointed to the same office for another term of five years, serving in that capacity until April 1, 1913. He has discharged his duties with fidelity and impartiality, and year by year has constantly grown in public estimation.

In addition to what has already been narrated, Mr. MILLS is a member of the board of managers of the Morris County Savings Bank. In 1896 he became treasurer of the Washington Association of New Jersey, and remained in that office until he was chosen one of its vice presidents in 1910. For almost a quarter of a century he has served as treasurer of the building committee of St. Peter’s Episcopal Church of Morristown, and is also one of its vestrymen. He holds membership in the Princeton Club of New York, the Morristown Club, Morris County Golf Club and the Morristown Field Club.

Transcribed by E.J.Carlson.