Mills, Robert

ACTON'S CENTENIARIAN GONE.
Robert Mills Called Home Last Week
at the Extreme age of 105 years.
THE OLDEST ORANGEMAN IN CANADA.
One of the very oldest men in Canada died in Acton last Wednesday, in the person of Robert Mills, who had reached the very unusual age of 105 years. Mr. Mills has been a familiar figure about Acton's streets for nearly twenty years and his longevity was commonly remarked. Until last fall he enjoyed a fair degree of health. He was well and vigorous and so independent that until last summer was over cut his own wood. In the fall the burden of years appeared to weigh heavily, but it was not until two months ago that be became bedfast.
Robert Mills was born in Scotland in January 1800. When but a child his parents removed to the city of Belfast, Ireland. Here he learned the trade of linen weaver, and worked at it in Belfast until he was forty-two. About that time he came to Canada and settled in the ancient city of Quebec, where he was engaged on the Police force. While he was in Quebec he married Jane Ennis, then aged 16 years and 4 months, on the 4th July, 1847. A couple of year later the cholera broke out in Quebec and the family came to Upper Canada, and settled at Weston. Here for ten years Mr. Mills worked the farm of the late Col. Denison. He then removed to Garafraxa and was one of the first settlers in the "Queen's Bush." where he cleared up one of the present fine farms of the township. About twenty-five years ago he took up his residence in Grand Valley and for three years conducted the Commercial Hotel in that village. Some twenty years ago, Mr. and Mrs. Mills came to Acton, a son and three daughters being then resident here.
Mr. Mills was the father of four sons and three daughters, all of whom, with Mrs. Mills, survive, with the exception of the eldest son, who died at Elora some years ago. The others are:- James, of Bracebridge; David, of Erin; Robert, of Boyne City, Mich.; Mrs. W. Edmiston, of Rolleau, Assa.; Mrs. W. Gurney, of Erin, and Mrs. Adam Stewart, Acton. While somewhat gruff in his manner he was always good to his family and his home was his castle and had first place in his affections.
Mr. Mills was believed to be the oldest Orangeman in Canada. He was initiated into the order in the city of Belfast when a young man of eighteen - eighty-seven years ago. He was a most loyal member of this Order and every twelfth of July found him out bright and early with his Orange decorations prominently in view.
The funeral on Friday afternoon was conducted with Orange honors, Acton L.O.L. and a number of visiting Orangemen, accompanied by Acton Cornet Band, attending in regalia. Rev. A. E. Smith, B.D., the pastor of deceased, conducted the church service at the grave; Rev. Wm. Walsh, Grand Chaplain of the Orange Order, followed with the service of that society. Messrs. David Mills, William Gurney, Adam Stewart, William Gurney, Jr., William and Ernest Mills were the pall bearers.
General sympathy is expressed for Mrs. Mills in her loneliness.
(Photograph of Robert Mills included in the original newspaper article)