Governor of the New Mexico Territory. Born in Yazoo City, Mississippi, William Joseph Mills moved to Connecticut as a young boy. He graduated from the law school at Yale University, and opened a private law practice in New Haven, Connecticut. He was elected to the Connecticut State House of Representatives in 1878 and to the Connecticut State Senate in 1881 and 1882. After his term in the legislature, Mills moved to the New Mexico Territory and set up a law practice, partnering with future U.S. Senator Thomas B. Catron. In 1898 President William McKinley appointed Mills as the Chief Justice of the New Mexico Territorial Supreme Court. Mills was subsequently re-appointed by President Theodore Roosevelt, and he served until 1910. President Howard Taft appointed Mills as the Governor of the New Mexico Territory, and he held office from March 1, 1910 until January 15, 1912. Much of Mill's term as Governor focused on the creation of a constitution and the admission of New Mexico as state, and as such he became the last Territorial Governor of New Mexico. After leaving office Mills made an unsuccessful bid for the U.S. Senate; afterwards he resumed his law practice until his death in 1915.
Governor of the New Mexico Territory. Born in Yazoo City, Mississippi, William Joseph Mills moved to Connecticut as a young boy. He graduated from the law school at Yale University, and opened a private law practice in New Haven, Connecticut. He was elected to the Connecticut State House of Representatives in 1878 and to the Connecticut State Senate in 1881 and 1882. After his term in the legislature, Mills moved to the New Mexico Territory and set up a law practice, partnering with future U.S. Senator Thomas B. Catron. In 1898 President William McKinley appointed Mills as the Chief Justice of the New Mexico Territorial Supreme Court. Mills was subsequently re-appointed by President Theodore Roosevelt, and he served until 1910. President Howard Taft appointed Mills as the Governor of the New Mexico Territory, and he held office from March 1, 1910 until January 15, 1912. Much of Mill's term as Governor focused on the creation of a constitution and the admission of New Mexico as state, and as such he became the last Territorial Governor of New Mexico. After leaving office Mills made an unsuccessful bid for the U.S. Senate; afterwards he resumed his law practice until his death in 1915.
Bio by: Ernest
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