Susan Tolman was born on November 18, 1825, in Enosburgh, Vermont, to John Tolman and Elizabeth (Nichols) Tolman. Her father operated Gilbert's Tannery out of their homestead. At age ten, the family moved to Ware, Massachusetts, so John could expand the family tanning business. She graduated from Mount Holyoke College (then Mount Holyoke Female Seminary) in 1845. She taught at Mount Holyoke until she married the Presbyterian missionary Cyrus Mills in 1848. They taught in Sri Lanka (then Ceylon) for many years, returning to Massachusetts in 1854.
In 1860, Cyrus became president of Oahu College (now known as Punahou School), where Susan served as a teacher. The couple moved to California in 1864 and in 1877, purchased the Young Ladies Seminary at Benicia from Mary Atkins, and renamed it Mills Seminary. In 1871, the school was moved to Oakland, California and incorporated in 1877. The school became Mills College in 1885. In 1890, after serving for decades as principal (under two presidents), Susan became the President of the college and held the position for 19 years. She retired in 1909 and died in her home on campus on December 12, 1912.
Susan Tolman Mills is buried at Sunnyside Cemetery, located on the Mills College Campus.
In 1860, Cyrus became president of Oahu College (now known as Punahou School), where Susan served as a teacher. The couple moved to California in 1864 and in 1877, purchased the Young Ladies Seminary at Benicia from Mary Atkins, and renamed it Mills Seminary. In 1871, the school was moved to Oakland, California and incorporated in 1877. The school became Mills College in 1885. In 1890, after serving for decades as principal (under two presidents), Susan became the President of the college and held the position for 19 years. She retired in 1909 and died in her home on campus on December 12, 1912.
Susan Tolman Mills is buried at Sunnyside Cemetery, located on the Mills College Campus.
Susan Tolman was born on November 18, 1825, in Enosburgh, Vermont, to John Tolman and Elizabeth (Nichols) Tolman. Her father operated Gilbert's Tannery out of their homestead. At age ten, the family moved to Ware, Massachusetts, so John could expand the family tanning business. She graduated from Mount Holyoke College (then Mount Holyoke Female Seminary) in 1845. She taught at Mount Holyoke until she married the Presbyterian missionary Cyrus Mills in 1848. They taught in Sri Lanka (then Ceylon) for many years, returning to Massachusetts in 1854.
In 1860, Cyrus became president of Oahu College (now known as Punahou School), where Susan served as a teacher. The couple moved to California in 1864 and in 1877, purchased the Young Ladies Seminary at Benicia from Mary Atkins, and renamed it Mills Seminary. In 1871, the school was moved to Oakland, California and incorporated in 1877. The school became Mills College in 1885. In 1890, after serving for decades as principal (under two presidents), Susan became the President of the college and held the position for 19 years. She retired in 1909 and died in her home on campus on December 12, 1912.
Susan Tolman Mills is buried at Sunnyside Cemetery, located on the Mills College Campus.
In 1860, Cyrus became president of Oahu College (now known as Punahou School), where Susan served as a teacher. The couple moved to California in 1864 and in 1877, purchased the Young Ladies Seminary at Benicia from Mary Atkins, and renamed it Mills Seminary. In 1871, the school was moved to Oakland, California and incorporated in 1877. The school became Mills College in 1885. In 1890, after serving for decades as principal (under two presidents), Susan became the President of the college and held the position for 19 years. She retired in 1909 and died in her home on campus on December 12, 1912.
Susan Tolman Mills is buried at Sunnyside Cemetery, located on the Mills College Campus.
Inscription
Susan Lincoln Mills Litt. D.
Founder with her husband
Of Mills Seminary and Mills College
President Emeritus of Mills College
Associated with Dr. Mills
In Batticotta College Ceylon
Oahu College Honolulu
Young Ladies Seminary Benicia
Family Members
Sponsored by Ancestry
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