John Graham Mills was born in the province of Quebec, Canada May 23, 1854 the eldest of twelve children. He stayed at home until he was twenty-one and then came west to Ontario. Here he lived six years during which time he learned his best lessons in real farming and in taking care of stock of all kinds among the old country farmers of different nationalities. In the spring of 1881, he decided to come west and landed in Ball Hill Township, Griggs County.
Although he settled on a quarter of land in this Township in 1881 it was not filed upon until 1883. The reason for the delay was that the land was not surveyed until 1882 and did not come into the market until the following July. Incidentally, this was the first quarter of land filed on in Ball Hill Township. This initial acquirement was later to be increased by an additional 640 acres.
Being a livestock man he became interested in exhibiting his stock at livestock shows throughout the country. He first exhibited in Fargo in 1910. In 1912, he made a complete show circuit. This he considers his best year, as the Fairs were all good. He was one of the Charter Members of the State Fair Board, and was president of the Griggs County Fair Association for nineteen years. He missed only one Fair meeting in all that time.
For twenty-three years after his retirement from the farm in 1912, he lived in the village of Hannaford. He continued to keep an active interest in his farm, however, along with community and civic affairs - especially his church.
He and Mrs. Mills made several trips back to their old home in Canada. They also visited their son, Milton, in New York State, and traveled throughout the West during the San Francisco Exposition.
On July 14, 1932 they celebrated their Golden Wedding Anniversary. The banquet and program was held in the church parlors of the Presbyterian Church and was attended by their three children, a brother and sister from Canada, and about seventy-five old friends and neighbors.
Shortly after this his health began to fail and on November 27, 1935 he passed away survived by his wife, three children and seven grandchildren. He left behind him the memory of a loving husband, a good father and a life of service and good will to his fellow men and community.
His wife survived him ten years, passing away March 16, 1946 at the home of a daughter in Minneapolis. Mr. and Mrs. John Graham Mills now rest in the Hannaford Cemetery in a State they loved and watched grow from a vast prairie to what it is today.
Source: Griggs County History 1879 - 1976 page 207