A self-made man who has not despised the day of small things, and who has used obstacles as stepping-stones to higher successes, has a right to regard his advancement with pride. It is comparatively easy for a man of reasonably good ability to achieve a business success on capital borrowed or inherited, but it requires real force of character to earn the capital by hard, persistent work, and save it and invest it successfully.
George W. Mills, who enjoys the distinction of being one of the leading butchers of southeastern Idaho, was born in Franklin county, Pennsylvania, September 13, 1854, a son of John and Amy (Clymens) Mills, and is descended from Scotch ancestry, inheriting many of the sterling qualities of that sturdy people. His father, John Mills, was born in Pennsylvania, and died there in his fifty-fourth year. His widow lived to be seventy-seven years old. They were lifelong members of the Presbyterian Church, and were of the most admirable character, industrious, economical, philanthropic and helpful to every worthy movement having the public good for its object. They had five sons and three daughters, and five of the eight are living at this time. After gaining a primary education in the public schools near his Pennsylvania home, George W. Mills began in 1867, when he was thirteen, to earn his own living. For twenty-seven years he worked for others, without getting on financially to any satisfactory extent. He came to Idaho Falls in 1885 and was first employed at carpenter’s trade. Later he did about any honest work his hands found to do and that any one would pay him for doing, until 1894, when he opened a meatmarket at Idaho Falls. Since then there has been developed from this central plant a large and growing trade in meats and allied products, which trade extends in every direction throughout a large territory. Some time since Frank T. Martin acquired an interest in the business, and it has since been conducted under the style of Martin & Mills. Mr. Mills has a farm of eighty acres and several pieces of valuable town property, including a pleasant and convenient home. In 1894 Mr. Mills married Miss Emma Yoe, a native of Pennsylvania, and they have two children, named John and Myrtle. Mrs. Mills is a devout and helpful member of the Baptist church. Mr. Mills is a Republican, but is too busy to take an active part in politics. He is an Odd Fellow and has from time to time been identified with other organizations. His standing in business circles is deservedly high.