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Below is a family biography included in Biographical and Historical Memoirs of Little River County, Arkansas published by Goodspeed Publishing Company in 1890.  These biographies are valuable for genealogy research in discovering missing ancestors or filling in the details of a family tree. Family biographies often include far more information than can be found in a census record or obituary.  Details will vary with each biography but will often include the date and place of birth, parent names including mothers' maiden name, name of wife including maiden name, her parents' names, name of children (including spouses if married), former places of residence, occupation details, military service, church and social organization affiliations, and more.  There are often ancestry details included that cannot be found in any other type of genealogical record.

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S. S. P. Mills, the popular sheriff of Little River County, was ushered into the world in Yalobusha County, Miss., in 1844, being the son of Joel Mills and wife, nee Caturia B. Byrd. When he was a lad of eight years, his parents moved to this State and chose a home in Sevier, now Little River County. Here they purchased, a farm, slightly improved, on which they passed their life, he dying in 1871. His death was followed in 1875 by that of his widow. They were the parents of six children, of whom the subject of this sketch was the third in order of birth, and the only one now living. He was reared on his father's farm, and obtained his education in the common schools of this county. In 1862, at the age of seventeen years and three months, he enlisted in Company K, of Whitfield's Texas Legion, and was assigned to the east side of the Mississippi River. He took part in the battles of Corinth and Iuka. He was at Holly Springs, and participated in the capture of that place. Next he was engaged at the battle of Franklin, and from there, after the death of Gen. Vandorne, he returned to Mississippi, and in June, 1863, came home on parole. In the fall of 1863 he made a trip to Mexico with his father, returning the following spring, and after Gen. Price made his famous raid through Missouri he joined Company C, of Col. Newton's regiment of Arkansas Cavalry. At the close of the war he returned home, broken in health and purse, and with his father engaged in farming on rented land. He was united in marriage, in 1867, to Miss Catherine R. McCord, daughter of John and Mary G. McCord. At the time of his marriage his worldly possessions consisted of two Chocktaw ponies, he now owns some 1,700 acres of land, with about 300 acres under cultivation, which produces about 100 bales of cotton, besides corn and oats, and other farm products. In 1878 he was elected justice of the peace of his township, and discharged the duties of that office very satisfactorily for two years, after which he moved to this place (Richmond), and during 1881 and 1882 again served as justice of the peace. He made a successful race for the office of county sheriff in 1884, and has succeeded himself ever since, much to the satisfaction of all concerned. The following are the children born to himself and wife: Amelia A. (wife of W. M. Sikes, of this place), Ada, Joel, Henry (deceased), and Kate C. Mr. and Mrs. Mills are worthy members of the Methodist Episcopal Church, South. The former affiliates with Richmond Lodge No. 3420, K. of H., and in politics is a stanch Democrat.

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This family biography is one of 38 biographies included in Biographical and Historical Memoirs of Little River County, Arkansas published in 1890.  For the complete description, click here: Little River County, Arkansas History, Genealogy, and Maps

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