Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1910-01-05
Death Of One Of Our Best
Known Financial Men.
A California Pioneer. ,PhiIan-
thropist and Business Man.
Heart Trouble Closes an Active
Life, at Age Of "a Years.

San Francisco, Jan. 4.-Darius Ogden
Mills one Of the most widely known
financicrs and philanthropists in the
United states, a pioneer Of California,
and father of Mrs Whitelaw Reid, wife
Of the United States ambassador to
Great Britain, died at his winter home
near this city last night He was 81
years old. Death was due to heart
trouble and came so suddenly that his
physician was not with him at the end.
although he was summoned at the first
sign of collapse.
Mrs. Reid. who came to California
with her father a few weeks ago to
pass the winter months, was at the
bedside. His son, ogden Mills. and his
wife left for the east yesterday, think
ing that Mr.. Mills was in his usual
health. Mr.. Mills, accompanied by his
daughter and Ogden Mills, came to
San Francisco some weeks ago to pass
the winter at the flnancier's mansion
near Millbrae, 20 miles south Of this
city.
He had suffered with heart disease
for several years and had virtually
withdrawn from his many business
responsibilities, but there was no indi-
cation that death was imminent
The family followed it's usual routine
Yesterday after the departure of Ogden
Mills and his wife for the East. but
soon after dinner Mr.. Mills said that
he had felt little tired. At O'Clock
he suddenly collapsed and DR.. Morris
Herzstcin, the family physician, was
summoned from San Francisco. Death
occurred at $50 o'clock and the end
came peacefully.
DR.. HerZstein says that Mr.. Mills
death was due to angina pectoris. the
form of heart trouble from which he
had suffered for many months ana
which compelled his retirement from
all active engagements. He appeared
feeble when he arrived in san Francis
co but his ailment had shown no
alarming symptoms.
His daughter. Mrs Reid. had been
his constant companion since he left
New York,
Mr., Wills was born in West Salem
Westminster county, New York, IN lS2o
He was educated at North Salem and
at Mount Pleasant Academy. Sing
Sing. n. Y.
Starting his business career as
clerk in New York City. he became
cashier of the Merchants Bank OF
Erie county at Buffalo in 1sil. When
the gold excitement arose Mr.. Mills
came to California, arriving IN 1919
to take large part in the develop
ment of the state.
He first founded the d. O. Mill; Bank
of California, which past he held till
1867. When this institution became m
solvent in 1878 Mr.. Mills again took the
rcins and placed it once more on
sound basis.
The greater part of his time since
1870 was spent in New York Guy,
where he built system of hotels ana
lodging houses for the poor, i'un led
a training school for male nurses ana
was active in many charities.
He was president of til" Bank OF
New York. the Morton Trust co. ana
the United states Trust Co. He was
q trustee Of the Metropolitan Museum
of Art. the Carnegie Institute of WASH
inyton and of Lick Observatory. besides
he,piup to make and guide other phil
anthropic organizations.
Mr.. Mills had prominent hand IN
the building of the Southern Paclllc
and for many years was 1heinper vi
it's directorate.
When the first sign Of the failing OIL
his remarkable energy came two years
ago he resigned from the Southern
Pacific and Erie directoratcs. his
holdings in upwards of 30 corporatiths'
in whose affairs he once took actiNe
rart are said to have reached many
million dollars.