J. L. MILLS, Hornellsville, New York.
Rated among the top-notchers of the Erie's engineers is the name of J. L. Mills, one of Hornellsville's most estimable citizens. Mr. Mills was born in Chenango Forks, New York, on May 30, 1849, his father having settled in that town in 1845. Mr. Mills worked as a farmer until he was 22 years of age, then entering the employ of the Atlantic & Great Western as a brakeman. On November 18, 1868, he began to fire on the Erie, running on the old Western Division, now the Allegheny Division. He was promoted to engineer in January, 1877, and in 1890 was advanced to passenger work, at the present having a run on trains 7 and 10.

Mr. Mills joined Lodge No. 47, B. of L. E., in 1878, and has held several minor offices. He also belongs to the Maccabees; Lodge No. 331, F. & A. M.; Steuben Chapter No. 101, and De Molery Commandery No. 22. In 1869 Mr. Mills was married to Miss Olive A. Taylor of Allegheny County, New York, and they have one son, Leon, aged 26.


Excerpted from: "American Locomotive Engineers, Erie Railway Edition," H.R. Romans Editor; Crawford-Adsit Company Publishers, Chicago, IL 1899.