Intermountain Union College - Prickly Pear Yearbook (Helena, MT)

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DEDICATIO Gro the memory, of that stalwart Qllhrisf tian ann true pioneer, the ilieberenh Blaroh mills, me respectfully nebirate this ninth bolume of Gtlge qeritiilig ieear. gvflffiz, ,. -L yi 75, ,elim-754 H152 Di '- u sf .4 S.-I The passing of Dr. Jacob Mills, a pioneer of pioneers, made every Montanan realize that he had lost a friend. -President E. J. Klemme. Dr, Jacob Mills was a man of sturdy Christian faith and loyalty to the truth as he saw itg a devoted friendg and one of the most enthusiastic promoters of Montana Wesleyan and later, Intermountain Union College. -Newman H. Burdick, D. D. The things which stood out in the ministry of Dr. Jacob Mills were his deep spiritual messages, his business ability, and his willingness to give of his time and money to help men, women, and children. -Charles D. Crouch, D. D. Dr, Mills was respected by men of all opinions, creeds, and codes. His character towers as the granite giant of the moun- tains and guides many a weary traveler, even to this day, in ways of truth and probityf'-Charles M. Donaldson, D. D.

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JACOB MILLS

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ACOB MILLS was born in Topsham, Vermont, November 18, 1848. His boyhood was spent on a New England farm until at the age of nineteen he enlisted in the army and was assigned to duty under General Banks in the Department of the Gulf. He was present in the siege and capture of New Orleans, took part in the Red River expedition, and when at Winchester suffered a wound which necessitated the amputation of his left arm. At the close of the war he returned to his home town, entered business, and took an active part in community affairs. He was finally appointed to a position in the Customs service of the Federal Government and stationed on the Canadian border where he served for eleven years. On November 17, 1870, he was married to Miss Jennie Mills, who proved to Inc a tl'lIe companion and continual inspiration to her husband. ' XVhen Dr. Mills was forty years of age he decided to dedicate the remainder of his life to the work of the ministry. He chose Montana as his field, since his business interests were there, and on March 3, 1888, he arrived in Dillon. He became intensely engaged in the development of this territory and played a prom- inent part in its religious, educational, and business interests. In a few months he sent for his family and in Fort Benton they labored for more than three years, building there a church and parsonage. This church forms a unit of the building now stand- ing and the parsonage is also an historic spot. Dr, Mills later served pastorates in VVhite Sulphur Springs, Butte, Billings, and Bozeman, always building up the spiritual tone of the community and leaving substantial improvements in the church property. XVithout doubt, however, Dr. Mills' chief value to the Church lay in his ability as an executive. He was Presiding Elder in both the old Bozeman and the Helena Districts, and for a time was financial agent for Montana NVesleyan University. In 1896 and again in 190-0 he was chosen by the Conference as a delegate to the General Conference. His own business ventures proved quite suc- cessful but he always considered that God had prospered him and that his money was a sacred trust. It would be impossible to measure the assistance which Dr. Mills has given to Intermountain Union College. It was through his generosity that Mills Hall, the girls' dormitory, was erected, and more than once he has given aid when failure seemed inevitable. He was staunch as a promoter of Intermountain: he knew many students personally and was ever ready to lend a helping hand in their behalf. Dr. Mills' entire life breahted evengelism and he always preach- ed and worked in a spirit of love. t seemed altogether fitting that he should pass away as he did, on October 29, 1925, just ready to begin a Service of worship. Although he is greatly missed on this earth, his pass-ing was not marked by mourning and lamenting. To him was given a greater tribute: a prayer of thanksgiving in the hearts of all whom he had met that such a man had been created and that he had been permitted to carry on his work through all those years in such a beautiful spirit of sacrifice and simplicity.