John M. Mills

NJGenWeb ~ Morris County, New Jersey

John M. Mills

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

Among the lawyers who have distinguished themselves at the bar of the State of New Jersey during the last quarter century, the name of John M. MILLS is well forward in the list. He is the protector of the innocent and oppressed, the prosecutor of wrong-doing, and has a habit of going thoroughly to the bottom of any matter he is investigating in such a manner that he is usually able to convince any jury of the justice of his case. In fact, his appeals are so fervid and animated that his hearers are frequently convinced against their will, the strong sympathy which dominates his nature being apparent through everything he says.

Nehemiah M. MILLS, his father, was engaged in agricultural pursuits, and was a native of the city of New York. His political support was given to the Republican party, and he was always esteemed as a good citizen. He married Susan SLAGHT, born in Roxbury township, and they had children:

Frank, deceased;
George A.;
Fannie, deceased;
Harriet E.;
Mary A.;
Harvey L.;
Annie E.;
Jennie L.;
Julia A.;
John M.;
Clifford.

John M. MILLS was born in Morristown, New Jersey, and acquired his elementary education in the public schools of Morris township, from which he was graduated to the Morristown High School. He then became a student at Rutgers College, from which he was graduated in the class of 1897 with the degree of Bachelor of Arts and Bachelor of Sciences. Having decided upon the legal profession as his chosen life work, he read law one year with F. G. BURNHAM, of Newark, and three years with the Hon. W. W. CUTLER, of Morristown. He was admitted as an attorney to the bar of the State of New Jersey in June, 1899, and as an attorney and counsellor-at-law in June, 1902. In 1899 he opened offices for the practice of law, and has been actively engaged in the profession since that time. From the commencement of his active career he established a reputation for himself by his careful conduct of the cases entrusted to him, and it was not a very long time before the fame of his ability had become far more than a merely local one. His profession has always made manifold demands upon his time, yet Mr. MILLS belongs to that class of men who, the more they have to do, the more they find time to accomplish. In line with this trait is the active part he has taken in the public life of the county and State. In the political arena of the Republican party is one of the controlling factors, although not a member of the county committee. He represented the Republican party as a chosen freeholder for a period of five years; was assemblyman in the New Jersey legislature two years, 1905-06; has served as secretary of the Morris county board of taxation since 1906; for fourteen years since 1900, has been attorney for the township of Morris, and Mt. Arlington borough five years; Mendham township six years, Randolph township two years, and attorney for board of education for Morris township ten years. His religious affiliations are with the Methodist church and his fraternal and social connections are with the order of Free and Accepted Masons, the Improved Order of Red Men, the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, the Tapkaow Club of Morristown and Morris County Bar Association.

Mr. MILLS married at Morristown, April 12, 1906, Cora E. STUDLEY, born in Morris township, October 19, 1886. They have one child:

Elden, born in Morristown, June 24, 1908.

Mr. MILLS is an assiduous student of all public questions, and is a master of the methods of procedure in legislative bodies, having made an exhaustive study of the rules, precedents, etc., governing them. He is fully equal to the time in which he lives and to the responsibilities, and they are numerous, that he is called upon to shoulder. He is a clear and forcible speaker, and his appearance is dignified and impressive.

This biography was transcribed by John Cresseveur (1949-2003).