The Charleston daily news. [volume] (Charleston, S.C.) 1865-1873, 1869-10-25

has stricken down another OF Charleston's most
prominent and beloved citizens. Mr.. Otis Mills
departed this life at eight O'Clock on Saturday
morning last, in the seventy fifth year OF his age.
The deceased was born In Sandcrsiicd Berk.
shire County. Massachusetts, on the Sth OF May,
1891. Early In life, and when In moderate cir
stances, lie came to Charleston and commenced
business us n grain merchant-thc firm OF which
hc was the head being known rs o. Mills & Co.
Ills business prospercd, and In q few years the
firm was among the most prominent I'm the city.
The Atlantic wharf property was purchased by
him soon after entering In business here, and
many improvements mate. In 1Si5 lie purchased
the United States Courthouse property, ut the cor
ner OF Queen and Meeting streets, and three or
four years aftcrward had the building pulled
down, and the edllce known the Mills House
erected upon the spot.
Mr.. Mills though born in New England, became
thoroughly Identified with the people OF the
South, and especially With the citizens OF his
adopted home, Charleston. He was prominent
among the original secesslontsts, and none more
warmly advocated the separation OF the South
from the North. When the war came, being too
old to be In the field, he contributed money to
the Confederate Government and gave with
liberal hand TO the support Of the wives and
children OF the soldiers In the field. In 1852
when Charleston was threatened, he turnc, out
his wharf hands and With them went out OF the
city to the fortincatlons, and although In feeble
health, remained with them and superintendent
their work upon the entertainments. His devo.
tlon to the cause OF the South aud confidence In
It's ultimate success was unb0uuded. He sold al
OF his real estate property, the Mills House with
II, and Invested the money In the bonds OF the
sp6piederate States. The unexpected and conf
pleto Collapse OF the Confclcracy, of course rcn.
lerpu those bOutI9 wOrtilpgg rnducpI
patriotic citizen from afluence almost to poverty.
The deceased was confined to his bcl for about
two weeks before his death, during which time
he received the most devoted attention from his
relatives nnd friends, and also from his former
servants, one OF whom had never left him, and
whose mournfui pleasure 1t was to be with him in
his last moments. The deceased left three uaugli-
ters.
Tho funeral services took place nt st. Michacrs
Church at O'Clock yesterday, aud were con-
Quoted by Rev. Mr.. Trapler, rector OF that church.
OF which the deceased had been for many years
member aud communicate. mere was very
large attendance both at th' church anil at the
grave, which was In the cemetery ',ichcd to the
church. At the fuIleral WIRE a. = " mombers
OF the vigilant Fire, Company GN. "7.ch the dc.
ceased was one OF the founders; the ;Her'ners of
the New England Society, OF wl,lCI he was The
president, and u hrge number OF his loi ircr
slaves.
As citizen, Mr.. Mills was always ready to AL.
vance the best Interests OF the city and Its inhab.
tants, and the mnny improvements along the
wharves and the Mills House, viii long remain
monuments OF his libcrallty and public spirit. AS
u merchant, there were none more upright, en-
terprsing and conscientious than he in his
business transactions. AS n friend, there were
none moro staunch aud true than he: especially
hot
that lie endorsed for more young business men
during Ills day than any other citizen Of Charles
to-. AS husband and father, he was afrcc-
tionate and indulgcnt. .
twas not to be expected that We could have had
amongst US much longer one whose days had been
so full OF usefulness His demise will be generally
and sincerely mourncd.