Eminently worthy of representation in a work of this character is Virgil Wilson Mills, of Fairfield, a native-bqrn son of Wayne county, who is now rendering excellent service as county judge of the county. A son of John Mills, his birth occurred at Mount Erie, Illinois, March 16, 1879.

John Mills was born in 1838, in Tuscarawas county, Illinois, a son of John Mills, Sr. He was of Scotch-Irish stock, although his immediate ancestors immigrated from England to the United States, settling first in New England. A short time prior to the outbreak of the Civil war he moved to Illinois, settling on a farm in Wayne county. Subsequently enlisting in Company E, Fortieth Illinois Volunteer infantry, he went to the front with his command, and in April, 1862, at the Battle of Shiloh, was so severely wounded that he was confined in the hospital for a year. Being discharged in 1863, he returned to his home, and was there engaged in general farming until his death, March 11, 1910. He married Katherine Young, and into their household three children were born, as follows: Virgil Wilson, with whom this brief sketch is principally concerned; John E., living on the old farm in Mount Erie, Wayne county; and Frank, a farmer, living near Mount Erie.

Acquiring his rudimentary education in the public schools, Virgil W. Mills continued his studies at the Southern Collegiate Institute, in Albion, Illinois. Beginning his active career in 1900, he taught in the rural schools of Wayne county for two years, afterwards being similarly employed in Fairfield one year, and one year each in Mount Erie and Cisne. His tastes, inclinations and ambitions being turned towards the legal profession, Mr. Mills entered the office of Creighton & Thomas in 1907, and under their tuition became familiar with the technicalities of law, In the fall of 1910 he was a candidate for the office of county judge, being the nominee of the Republican party, and was elected by a good majority. In this capacity Judge Mills displays excellent judgment and discrimination, and is performing the duties devolving upon him in a most creditable and satisfactory manner. He is successful in his profession, and has an interest in two hundred and ninety acres of fine farming land.

Judge Mills married, in October, 1907, Grace Vandaveer, a daughter of George W. Vandaveer, of Mount Erie, and into their pleasant home two children have been born, namely: Carroll Vandaveer and John.