Mayor John Easton Mills, Esq.

John Easton Mills, From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

John Easton Mills (October 14, 1796 – November 12, 1847) served briefly as mayor of Montreal, Quebec.

In March 1846, Montreal city council deadlocked on the choice of a mayor. Mills had ten votes, and incumbent mayor James Ferrier had nine, but Ferrier voted for himself twice, in accordance with existing rules. Municipal paralysis ensued until December 1846, when Mills was elected decisively.

Typhus outbreak

Main article: Goose Village, Montreal § Typhus epidemic

In 1847 there was a major outbreak of typhus in Montreal among Irish immigrants. Mills organized measures to contain the epidemic and volunteered to tend to the sick, whereupon he contracted the disease himself and died after less than one year in office.[1]

References

Bruemmer, Rene (2009-05-30). "Seeking hope, they found death". Montreal Gazette (Canwest). Retrieved 2009-05-30.

Bibliographic details for "John Easton Mills"

• Page name: John Easton Mills
• Author: Wikipedia contributors
• Publisher: Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia.
• Date of last revision: 11 February 2014 19:00 UTC
• Date retrieved: 16 August 2015 15:48 UTC
• Permanent link: https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=John_Easton_Mills&oldid=...
• Primary contributors: Revision history statistics
• Page Version ID: 595018057

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

THE LATE J. E. MILLS, ESQ.

(From the Montreal Witness.)

It is with profound grief we announce to our readers the death of John E. Mills, Esq., Mayor of this City, of typhus fever. This melancholy event, which took place last Friday morning at 1 1 o'clock, has caused a deep feeling of sorrow throughout every class in the community, among whom his loss will be much felt. As Chief Magistrate, he was characterized by a dignity, uprightness, and impartiality, which not only won for him the esteem and respect of his associates in the administration of civic affairs, but rendered him deservedly popular and respected throughout the community. His entrance upon the honourable office of Mayor was amid scenes of unusual excitement ; and it redounds not a little to his credit that he succeeded so well, as to have secured the esteem and regard of those who did not entertain the same political sentiments, as well as the confidence of those to whose efforts he was indebted for his position.

Mr. Mills was characterized, as a man of business, for his integrity and honour. Possessed of talent of a high order, and by untiring perseverance and attention, he has pursued a most successful career ; and was in the enjoyment of a handsome competency. Mr. Mills was in the 51st year of his age.

As a private citizen, Mr. Mills' loss will be sincerely felt. Every benevolent enterprise which commended itself to his judgment, received his generous and cordial support. To the distressed and unfortunate he always gave assistance; and many will have cause to cherish his memory with gratitude and affection.

Mr. Mills was a native of Tolland, Massachusetts, where his aged parents still reside. He came to this city in the autumn of 1816, and has since been a permanent resident. During his painful disease, he manifested all the mildness and tenderness of a child. With the greatest patience he bore the most intense sufferings — not an irritable word — not a murmur — not a reproach escaped his lips. In the first stages of his illness, he became aware that his recovery was doubtful, and seemed much concerned for his preparation to meet the last enemy. He was favoured with the ministration of the Rev. Mr. Wilkes ; and appeared to derive much consolation from reading of Scripture and prayer.

He leaves a large family overwhelmed with grief, and an extensive circle of relatives to mourn his loss.

As Emigrant Commissioner, those who were associated with him know well the untiring energy with which he devoted himself to the discharge of duties to which he had been called by the Representative of his Sovereign. At the time he, with others, undertook the charge of the Emigrant Department in this City, much alarm existed at the prospect of the approaching pestilence ; and it is well known that opinions were strongly expressed that a most fatal error had been committed in the choice of the Pointe St. Charles for the location of the Emigrant Hospital, and that the consequence would be an entire city devastated with the plague. Happily these fears have proved groundless; and those most opposed at first to the buildings being located within an easy distance of the city, were afterwards satisfied that the opinion of the late Mayor and his associates in the Commission was correct. In the discharge of the duties connected with this Department, which at one time really seemed to be a forlorn hope, he has fallen ; and even those who disparaged his abilities most, admit that an earnest, useful citizen, who unflinchingly and well performed the work he had undertaken, has been taken from amongst us.

And now he who, but a few days ago, was a living, acting man, has gone to his long home; and the mourners go about the streets. There has been evil in the city ; and however we may trace the instrumentality — the Lord has done it. And is there not a voice — a meaning in this ? Are we to admit a general, but not a particular Providence? Should such a matter be passed over with the idea that, had our late Mayor only taken proper care, he might still be using all his energies amongst us? Will any one consider it mere fanaticism to remind ourselves that this is a call to us to be ready, seeing we know neither the day nor the hour wherein the Son of Man cometh ? Soon may it be said of us, that the silver chord is loosed and the golden bowl broken, " for truly there is no discharge in that war." Death never comes amiss to him who always is prepared ; and can any one venture inconsiderately to pass into the presence of Him who has most solemnly said, " prepare to meet thy God."

(From the Montreal Transcript.)

The funeral of the late Mayor took place on the 15th of November, at 2 o'clock, at which hour the procession lefl Belair Cottage, in the following order : —

The Members of the Corporation.

Officers of the Corporation.

The Odd Fellows.

Pall Bearers. | The Body | Pall Bearers.

MOURNERS.

The Governor General's Carriage, containing one of the Aides-de-camp.

Staff.

The Commander of the Forces.

Staff.

The Heads of Military Departments.

Officers of the Garrison.

Citizens.

The Fire Companies lining the streets from the residence of the late Mayor to the American Presbyterian Church. The galleries and side pews of the church were filled long before the funeral cortege arrived. The procession on its arrival proceeded up the centre aisle, and the coffin was placed immediately below the pulpit. The Rev. Mr. M'Loud, read the 90th Psalm, and the 14th chapter of the hook of Job, and engaged in prayer; and the Rev. Mr. Wilkes then addressed the assembly from the 40th chapter of Isaiah, 6th, 7th, and 8th verses, and concluded with prayer, when the procession proceeded to the Old English Burying Ground, where the body was consigned to the grave.

The Aide-de-camp, who followed in the carriage, as representative of His Excellency the Governor General, proceeded on font afler leaving the church ; the Staff, with the officers of the garrison — with the exception of two or three — having then retired. The Odd Fellows preceded the Hearse on its way to the graveyard. The attendance of private citizens was very numerous.

The Fire Companies, on the arrival of the cortege at the church, proceeded to the Burying ground, and again lined the streets from its entrance.

We believe that not only on the line of procession, but throughout the city, every shop was closed from one o'clock until the funeral had passed, and many at a much earlier hour.

Bibliographic information:

• Title Death in the city [microform] : address at the funeral of the late John Easton Mills, Esq., mayor of the city of Montreal, delivered in the American Presbyterian Church, November, 1847
• Author Wilkes, Henry, 1805-1886
• Published 1848
• Topics Mills, John Easton, 1796-1847, Mills, John Easton, 1796-1847, Death, Mort, Mayors, Maires
• Publisher [Montreal? : s.n.]
• Pages 25
• Language English
• Digitizing sponsor University of Alberta Libraries
• Book contributor Canadiana.org
• Collection university_of_alberta_libraries_microfilm; university_of_alberta_libraries; toronto; microfilm; additional_collections
• Notes Film/Fiche is presented as originally captured.
• Full catalog record MARCXML
• Page 15
• https://archive.org/stream/cihm_28957b#page/n19/mode/1up

Biographical article about Mayor Mills's sacrifice in the typhus epidemic: https://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=1946&dat=19550514&id=ykUjAAA...

Helpful links:

http://www.ancestry.com/genealogy/records/john-easton-mills_31657321

https://journals.lib.unb.ca/index.php/mcr/article/view/18717/20459

http://www.canadianmysteries.ca/sites/redpath/dramatispersonae/adar...

https://books.google.com/books?id=1LvbM84224UC&pg=PA34&lpg=PA34&dq=...

https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:X73C-TTM