Source: History of Muscatine County Iowa, Volume II, Biographical, 1911, page 756

JOSHUA A. MILLS....Joshua A. Mills, the owner of a fine farm of two hundred and twenty-five acres on section 12, Pike township, was born on the 16th of November, 1856, his parents being David and Ann ( Christman ) Mills. The father's birth occurred near Columbus, Ohio, on the 23d of August, 1813, while the mother was born in Pennsylvania in 1816. Their marriage was celebrated in the Buckeye state. They came to Iowa in 1849 and the following year took up their abode in Muscatine county, locating on the farm which is now in possession of our subject. David Mills devoted his time and energies to its operation until called to his final rest in April, 1895, at which time the property comprised one huindred and eighty acres of well improved land. He lived to attain the ripe old age of eighty-two years and during forty-five years remained a resident of Muscatine county, becoming widely recognized as one of its substantial and respected citizens. His wife passed away December 31, 1894, when seventy-seven years of age. The record of their children is as follows : Van Buren, who makes his home at West Liberty, Iowa ; Louis P., who is a resident of Hermosa, South Dakota ; Elizabeth H., who is a widow of Jeremiah Foster, and lives in Muscatine ; Joshua A., of this review ; Amos, who is deceased ; Cordelia, who died in infancy ; and Gediah and William, who died in early life.
Joshua A. Mills attended the common schools in the acquirement of an education and has remained on the home farm from his birth to the present time. When his father passed away he took charge of the place and has since extended its boundaries by additional purchase until it now embraces two hundred and twenty-five acres of valuable land on section 12, Pike township. As the years have gone by he has made many modern improvements and he uses modern machinery to carry on the work of the fields, which present a neat and attractive appearance, promising good harvests in the autumn.

On the 6th of April, 1882, Mr. Mills was united in marriage to Miss Laura S. Schildberg, whose birth occurred in Rock Island county, Illinois, on the 17th of January, 1864, her parents being Frederick H. and Emma ( Glazier ) Schildberg. The father is a native of Germany, while the mother was born, reared and married in Rock Island county, Illinois. On coming to this county they located in Pike township, where Mr. Schildberg followed the wagon maker's trade for twenty years. Subsequently he entered the service of the Rock Island Railroad Company, remaining with that corporation for a period of thirteen years. He is now living retired with one of his daughters in Muscatine, having attained the age of seventy-five years. His wife died in 1903 when fifty-four years of age. They were the parents of fourteen children, namely : Mrs. Mills ; Charles A., who is a resident of Illinois ; Ettie, who is deceased ; Amelia and Edward, living in Muscatine ; Frederick, who has also passed away ; George. living in Pike township ; Janette, who makes her home in Muscatine ; Minnie, of Illinois ; Olive, who is a resident of Pike township, Arthur and Ray, living in Muscatine ; Grace, who is deceased ; and Catherine, who died in infancy.

Mr. and Mrs. Mills are the parents of thirteen children, as follows : Ettie P., who was born January 13, 1883, and is the wife of Leroy Lukembauch, of Pike township ; Louis C., whose birth occurred in 1884 ; Clyde C., whose natal year was 1886 ; Charles E. born in 1888 ; Ada M., whose birth occurred in 1890 ; Hazel F., who was born in 1892 and is the wife of Benjamin Osendorf, of Pike township ; Frederick D., whose natal year was 1895 ; Emma V., born in 1897 ; Elma F., born in 1899 ; Lester E., whose birth occurred in 1901 ; Linnie A., who was born in 1903 ; Lloyd, whose birth occurred in 1905 ; and Burton A., born in 1908.

Politically Mr. Mills is a stanch advocate and supporter of the democracy. He has ably served as township assessor for eight years, was township trustee for one term and has also acted as secretaty of the school board. He is a member of Nichols Lodge, No. 4195, M. W. A.; Adams Lodge, No. 352, M. B. A.; and Nichols Lodge No. 664, I. O. O. F. In religious faith he and his family are Protestants. Upright and honorable in all of his dealings, he well merits the kindly regard which is uniformly tendered him and the circle of his friends is almost coextensive with the circle of his acquaintances.