Читать книгу History of Westchester County, New York, Volume 2 - Группа авторов - Страница 19

Judge Isaac N. Mills, of Mount Vernon, was born in the town of Thompson, Connecticut, September 10, 1851. His paternal ancestors were farming people who carried on agricultural pursuits in the town of Thompson, Windham county, Connecticut, prior to the Revolutionary war. On his mother's side he is descended from a family of Rhode Island Quakers, for many generations residents of that state. To one branch of the family belonged General Greene, of Revolutionary fame.

When seventeen years of age Judge Mills determined to devote his life to the work of the legal profession, and, realizing the necessity of a broad general education to serve as a foundation on which to rest the superstructure of professional knowledge, he entered the Providence Conference Seminary, at Greenwich, Rhode Island, to prepare for college. In the winter of 1869-70 he engaged in teaching a district school, near Newport, for one term, at the same time studying evenings in order to keep up with his class at the seminary. In the summer of 1870 he was graduated in that institution with the highest rank in the class, and in the following autumn entered Amherst College, where, during the four-years course, he took several prizes for excellence in Latin, Greek, philosophy, physiology, debate and extemporaneous speaking. In 1874 he was graduated as the valedictorian of his class, — a class numbering in all ninety-five members, of which seventy-five were graduated. Two of the number are now professors in Columbia College, one is a professor in Williams College and several others are prominent in professional life.

After leaving Amherst Mr. Mills entered the Columbia Law College, of New York city, where he was graduated in 1876. In October of the same year he came to Mount Vernon and entered upon the practice of law as a member of the firm of Mills & Woods, which connection was continued until May, 1882, when by mutual consent the partnership was dissolved. Since that time Judge Mills has been active in the practice in the courts of Westchester county and New York city, with the exception of the period of his service on the bench. He has always been a close law student and has devoted his energies exclusively to the labors and duties of his profession. It is conceded by all who know him that he is upright, honest and able. He has been engaged in many important litigations, and has been largely successful. The judges and lawyers before whom and with whom he has practiced speak of him in the highest terms. There is no one at the Westchester bar who is more devoted to the interests of his clients, or more earnest or successful in their advocacy.

In the fall of 1883 he was elected county judge and filled that position with marked ability from 1884 until 1895. He was an upright judge, his ability as a lawyer, his thoroughness, his keenness in detecting the salient points, and, above all, his judicial temperament peculiarly fitting for the responsible duties of the office. He was elected on the Republican ticket, having throughout his majority given his support to the men and measures of that party.