Richard Isaac Mills
The life of Richard Isaac Mills has been controversial among family members, and therefore, there are two historical accounts presented here. Richard Isaac Mills writes the first one as an autobiography. Byron G. Mills, a grandson, writes the other account.
1924 Survey and Autobiography of Richard Isaac Mills, Jr.
(CS 289.3,G286g V.20)
Was born of good but financially poor parentage. had to work most evrytIing. learned printing from 1890 to 1892 had to give it up on accn of health didn't agree with me.
I then leaned photographing which I followed until 1903 when I learned watchmaking and optometry which I have since followed.
I left for a mission to the then Southewestern States mission Jan 1901 and returned Jan 1903. that spring I lost my wife since then I have never seen a perfect happy day.
My second wife told parties that she thought me well of to do she married me. She left me on may 9,1914. I gave her $9,000 in property over 2/3 of my worth.
I left Cassia Co Idaho to please her in 1910. Was doing splendid in finances also a member of the s.s Stake Board and president of the Seventies Quorum.
Since coming to Utah have accornplised absolutely nothing, except to move from place to place and loose money and interest in the Gospel.
I am so lonely without my children, I wish my Father would call me home.
Baker, my brother-in-law, who had moved there to work for Uncle's lumber company. in July he said to me that he would like to me to an elder before you leave, so Harry E. Baker and Wm. Whale ordained.
I then started to traveling. Toward fall I started to Oakley, Idaho. I was impressed to go there, but I could not give any reason for wanting to go there. When I reached Rock Creek, four miles from Oakley, I had stopped for the night and the people there painted Oakley so bad as a business place, I drove ten miles on tile road to Albion and camped for the night. The next morning I got up at 3:00a.m. to Start a forty mile trip for Aibion.
When I Set my foot on the double tree to climb into the wagon, I said to myself, "Here goes for Oakley,". and I cut across the prairie to intersect the road to Oakley, ~ I did in about ten miles. The next day I reached Oakley.
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A bunch of men were standing on the dirt side walk, and I asked them where the center of the town was, and they said, "you are right in it now." I thought that it was sure a peach of a place.
I came into Oakley on Friday the 27th of September, 1897. Monday, I set up my tent next the meeting house on Main St. and got ready for business and did a good business for six weeks, then I went to Albion, the county seat, where I, did a good business until. after Christmas, when I returned to Oakley, where I stayed until spring.
The same day that I set up my tent, I went over to Mecham Hotel for dinner, and there I met Clara Mecham.
Her mother went to Stake Conference and got sick and didn't come home for six weeks, and by that time we engaged. Clara needed some clothes, but when her mother found out what was in the wind, she said, "I won't buy anything if you are going to leave in the spring" so I had to buy her some clothes from st6ckings, shoes, even to a hat. We were married on March 9, 1898 in the Salt lake Temple....
That spring we traveled taking pictures, that fall we returned to Oakley where we settled for the winter, That fall I had a studio built, the first building that I ever owned.
The next fall, I was called on a mission to the Central States. I left for my mission in early January, 1901 and spent the first winter in Kansas, and in the spring I was transferred to Texas where I finished my labours. I learned to quote over 500 quotations. I returned home January, 1903....
When I returned home; when I entered the door of my home, I felt the presence of Satan so strong I nearly broke down to cried; I knew something was wrong.... On March 7, Clara confessed that she had fallen to the entreaties of several men, she lost her love for me, and we separated, which nearly turned my mind, for I worshipped her.
I gathered what little I could of the leavings and went to St. Louis and entered the St. Louis watchmaker school and worked there from the middle of September until Christmas learning the watchmaking trade and two nights a week lessons in optics.
When my money ran out, I returned to Oakley where I started up again in the photo and watch repair business and optics.
That summer my mother died, and at her funeral I met a childhood friend, Josephine D. Romrell. It was in August. The next spring we were married.
Ten and a half months later a son was born to us. A year later we moved to Burley, and after four and a half years we moved to Utah because Josephine did not want to live in Idaho.
Four sons were born to us when we got mixed up in a washing machine and fruit grating machine, and in the course of business I had to go to St. Louis where I met Della M.
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West, who posed as a devout Latter Day Saint, and as Josephine and I had gotten so far off the track that we had believed the teaching of some of the apostles and Mission President that we thought we had to get another wife, I brought her back with me.
But as soon as she had gotten me in her clutches she showed her self, whlch would shame Satan's sister. It was the cause of breaking Josphine and me up. I gave Josphine property worth about $12,000 Which she sold for $6,000. Della swore that if I cast her off she would kill all my sons and was capable of doing it. So I took her to Duchesne where we lived until the spring of 1916.
When I got a chance to go and see my children at Ogden and Della tried to make me cut them of without seeing them, and when she couldn't stop, she entered suit for a divorce, which I wanted. And when I returned to the basin, she tried in every way to get me to take her back; secured the service of the Bishop and friends, but I had enough and said, no.
I was broke, for she took all that I had except a vacant lot in Roosevelt. So I stayed in the same town for two reasons: I was broke and wanted to prove to the people of Duchesne that the stories she had told about my means was not true.
I couldn't than $35 a month for a year and a half, but I always paid $3.50 tithing each month. And after I had succeeded in convincing that I was clean and on the square, I got an unexpected chance to sell what I had in Duchesne, and I moved to Roosevelt where for the first month I doubled my earnings and doubled them several times, in so much that in a few years, I was pretty well fixed again, that is, I had about $5,000 worth of property.
From 1918 I had been Josephine, although she told me not to send her anything. But I could see that she was in need, for she had gone through most of the money for which she had sold, for a six-room brick home on Endline Ave., Ogden and a 25x85 brick store building in Burley, which was renting for $75 per month....
In my youth I developed the idea that when I was tempted to something that did not seem just right, 1'd ask myself would Mother or the lord approve or would I do it if they were here where I could see them? And when I took time to think, I never went wrong.
During my travelings I was preaching a sermon by my actions, either for good or bad. While in Albion, Idaho the Marshal Sheriff came to me one day and said, "A party was hunting for you last evening and asked if I knew where he could find you, and I told him I did not know, but that he would not find you in the saloon or pool hall, for I had never seen you there." I then realized that I had been preaching a sermon all my life, and so I would advise my son and everybody to be honest in all of your dealings, be considerate of the other fellows feelings and especially of our own families and friends, and if they fail to give you the respect that you know is rightfully due you, or if members of the ward fail to honor you for your ~ try to develop the spirit that the Saviour ~ when He was
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hanging on the cross: He said, "Father forgive them, for they know not what they do. If you will do this you will be happier knowing that you have done your duty, and in time the Lord will reward you as you deserve.
Five years before his death, Richard Isaac Mills copied the following poem and wrote as follows:
I Live for Them
My children are the most of all
That life can mean to me
Because they are my fondest hope
And sweetest memory
They are the sunshine of the day
That makes my hours bright
And they are all my dreams around
The silver stars at night
I live for them each moment of
The weeks and months and years
With joy in their accomplishments
And sorrow in their tears
I want them to grow up and give
Their best in every way
Especially for everyone
Who has a harder day
I want to help them all I can
As long as I may be
Because they are my children
And they mean so much to me.
My Sentiments R. I. Mills
1948
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History and Commentary on Richard Isaac Mills
By Byron G. Mills
Richard Isaac Mills Jr. was born March 7, 1871 to Richard Isaac Mills Sr. and Charlotte Giles in West Weber, Weber County, Utah.
Marriages:
Clara Matilda Mecham March 9, 1898
Josephine Deseret RomrellMarch 8, 1905 (Divorced)
Della Mae West February 8, 1914 (Divorced)
Florence Brown April 8, 1921
Children:
Richard Isaac Mills and Josephine Deseret Romrell
Richard Elmer Mills 23 Jan 1906 Oakley, Idaho
MarriedThelma Lucille Palmer
Daughter Bessie May Mills
Died: 10 Jan 1978 Layton, Utah
Clyde William Mills
MarriedHelen Terry
Ray Calvin Mills
MarriedGertrude Beatrice Edwards
Ralph Swingewood Mills 3 June 1913 Ogden, Utah
MarriedCatherine Kranendonk
Died28 July 1972 Salt Lake City, Utah
Richard Isaac Mills and Della May West
DaughterRuth Irene Mills Born About Dec 1913
Richard attended Weber Academy in Ogden, Utah at the same time Josephine was attending. They had met previously. They were in a friendship circle with Josephine's sister, Fannie Romrell, Oley Oleson, David O. McKay, and Emma Rae Riggs. They all thought enough of each other that they would marry any of the group. Their friendships were that strong. Josephine ended up with Richard Mills. They were married on March 8, 1905.
Before the wedding, Josephine asked Richard if he had ever been married before. He told her "No". He hid the fact that he married Clara Mecham. Their marriage began with a lie.
Richard was a photographer, jeweler, and optometrist as his occupations. On one of his
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business trips, he brought Della West home and told Josephine that she needed a maid to assist with the housework and raising the children. They had four boys, Richard Elmer, Clyde William and Ray Calvin, and Ralph Swingewood.
One day, Dick (Richard Elmer) saw Richard and Della in a compromising position through a slight opening in the bedroom door. He was too young to know what was happening, but he knew it was not right, so he told his mother. She peeked in. The next Sunday, while Richard was at Church, Josephine had her brother Hyrum help her move out. Then she divorced Richard. Josephine later went to Sugar City, Idaho to raise the four boys. Ralph was only 6 months old at the time.
From that incident, Richard had a daughter, Ruth Irene Mills. He tried to place the blame for their divorce on Josephine and tried to deny that Ruth was his but she looked too much like him for that to be so. Also it is interesting that her initials are RIM, the same as Richard's.
Richard then supposedly married Della. I don't know how long the marriage lasted. He became very secretive on his family life after that time. He did move around the Uintah Basin in eastern Utah, living in Roosevelt, Duchesne and Vernal for several years.
Richard wouldn't support the family and as a result they nearly starved during the depression years. On many occasions, the boys would write for a special request for something they needed, and were not answered, or turned down.
Josephine taught the boys very important gospel principles, including the commandment "Honor thy father and mother". As a result, when Richard's sons were older, they tried to have a good relationship with him. I remember on many occasions we would go to his house and mow the lawn and do things for him. By this time, Richard was married to Florence Brown, his 4th wife. She was too kissy for us and we hated to visit because of that.
One day, Richard called my father Ralph to come over. He was almost crying he was so upset. He sent s donation to the Church Office of about $5000, and it was returned to him. There was a letter with the returned money from President David O. McKay, who knew Richard well from his days at Weber Academy. The letter contained the following:
"The money you sent was obtained by corrupt means and is blood money. It is defiled. Neither I or the Church will have anything to do with you or your money, here or hereafter." It was signed David O. McKay, Prophet.
The last few years of life, Richard had several strokes. They left him partially paralyzed, and affected his speech. One day when Ralph was visiting, Richard had some soul searching and confessions to make to him. The first thing they did was to go to the basement, where a suitcase of money was hidden. There was over $100,000 dollars in it. Then Richard told Ralph that he spent his whole life trying to make money, and there is not anything he didn't do for money. He said he cheated orphans and widows of their life
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saving’s and many other things. Ralph asked if that included murder. Richard just repeated there isn't anything he hadn't done. He said that he sleeps with a loaded gun under his pillow afraid that someone will come and take the money away. He told Ralph to be honest about how he earns his money. Ralph said that was the only good advice Richard ever gave.
Then he talked about the financing of the missions for Elmer, Clyde, and Ray. He said, "I bet you think that I sent your brothers on Missions, don't you".
"We all know you did", replied Ralph.
"That was not my money that sent them on their mission, it was Florence that sent them. She ran out of money before you could go". He said that he would not give one cent to any of his children.
Then he made a statement that was the crushing blow. Richard said, "I don't have one son that is worth the powder it would take to blow him to hell".
Ralph said he was glad to know what they were thought of, and left. That was the last lime he saw his father alive.
Two weeks later, Richard was walking home from church, and has a stroke in the middle of the road. He died shortly after.
The story does not end here. Richard's life had influence far into the future, and spanned into the 3rd generation. About 10 years following the death of Richard Mills, Ralph and some of the children were on a trip and went to Delta in Central Utah. He wanted to show us some of the places in his past. We stopped at a café, and were getting some lunch. They asked our name, and my dad told them. They asked if we knew Richard Mills. My dad said he was his son. They turned cold, and we had trouble getting any more service in Delta. This is a small town, and I guess the news traveled who we were.
Over 20 years after his death, I ended up in Richard's old ward. I was not well accepted, especially by the older members. Then I realized where I was, so I went to see the Bishop, Ruel Anderson. I explained the situation, and the subject of Delta came up. He was a dispatcher for the Utah Highway Patrol, and said he would check into it. He then put on his uniform and went to Delta to make an "official" investigation. When he came back, I was told to never use my real name if I go to Delta. The hatred is still too great. I would probable be run out of town if I tried to stay. These are the two incidents he reported to me.
- There was a survey made by the Mormon pioneers when they first settled in Utah. The survey was off a little, because their watches were not totally accurate from the long travel time to the Salt Lake valley. The survey point established is the south east corner of the Temple Square wall in Salt Lake
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