John Henry Mills 1884-1934

John Henry Mills was born in Joseph, Sevier County, Utah on the 11th of May, 1884, the eldest son of
George Henry and Eliza Ann Horsley Mills. His brother Marius (Dad pronounced it 'Mrice.' Ed.) was
also born in Joseph on the 5th of December, 1885.
When he was about 4 years old he moved with his family to Ferron, Emery County, Utah where a sister
joined them, Caroline Elizabeth, born on February 1, 1888 .Two years later David James was born on
April 24, 1890. It is likely that his father was employed in the mines because the family, were not property
owners at this time.
They moved to Scofield in June of 1890 to work for a sawmill and stayed only two years before returning to
Ferron where Harvey Lafayette was born on May 15, 1892. Cutting timbers for the mines must have been
profitable, for this growing family moved again to a canyon west of Price to work in a sawmill there. John
Henry was 9 years old.
They homesteaded on Sealy Creek, and lived there the first winter but returned only for the summers
after that. George Alden was born in Ferron January 21, 1895. Within the next two years John Henry's
family moved to Desert Lake where they homesteaded. Their first abode was a small dugout dug into the
side of a hill with a sod roof and log front John Henry's second sister, Pearl Vimva, was born here on the
16th of October, 1897. The next year John Henry was old enough to help his father and Brother Marius
cut logs to build their first log home in Desert Lake. On the 19th of April, 1900 Ruben Horsley was born. In
1901 the family moved to Sunnyside where 17 year-old John Henry, along with his father and two
brothers, Marius and Dave worked in the mines digging coal while their mother took in boarders.
In the spring of 1903 the family moved back to Desert Lake where they planted fruit trees hoping to follow
the successes of their neighbors. But by this time alkali was poisoning their irrigation water and the
orchard did not bear fruit fit for harvest. Emerson Milton was born 13 November, 1904. The next spring,
on the 4th day of April John married his lifelong companion. LaUna, (Lay-oonah) Bradley.
 (Dahlene Henrie with Great Grandma LaUna Bradley Mills)

LaUna Bradley 1888-1971

LaUna (Lay-oonah) (Daisy) Bradley was born on the 25th of March, 1888 in Moroni, Sanpete County,
Utah to James Washington and LaUna Adelaide Draper Bradley.
She was preceded by three brothers and three sisters all born in Moroni. Namely: Mary Adelaide, 13
July 1876; Howard Howarth, 18 November 1880; Ethel Lynn, 16 August 1882; Irene, 14 July 1884;
and Robert Reed, 14 October 1886.
The next seven brothers were born in Huntington, namely:
(Elliott, 30 November 1892) (I have not been able to find an Elliott being related to John & LaUna but
instead there are many listings of a Elloise born to this family with the same birth date of 30, November
1892);
Ruel Manley, 3 December 1893; William Ellis, 29 December 1895; Calvin, 22 November 1896;
George Washington, 8 May 1898; and lvern McKinley, 13 September 1899.Their grandfather, George
Washington Bradley was born in Washington County, New York. His baptism is recorded in that area in
1843. He must have been one of the early pioneers who came west and settled in Moroni.
(There is a lot of exciting history yet to be researched and written on this family. We hope someone will do
this soon. Ed.)
I was always told by my mother Darlene Mills Henrie who is Gerald’s daughter that her grandmother LaUna
Bradley Mills loved to be called Daisy because her mother’s name was LaUna as well. She also said that she
loved going to be with her grandmother and always looked up to her for the way she raised her family and
she was such a hard worker and had gone through so many tragedies in their family.
As a side note: John Henry and LaUna (Daisy) Bradley Mill’s oldest son Gerald Mozell, married Golda Branch
who had 2 daughters from a previous marriage after being widowed. John & LaUna’s younger son Rulon Foy
married Golda’s oldest daughter Elva Turner. (Mother and daughter married brothers) Gerald had been
killed in a mining accident on 17, Jul 1946 and then on 30, Dec 1946 Rulan Foy was also killed in a car accident
leaving a wife who was pregnant with their first child without a husband and father. I can only imagine the
pain felt by my mother Darlene, Grandmother Golda, Aunt Elva, Cousin Ted, great grandmother LaUna and
the rest of the family by these two tragedies.

John Henry and LaUna Bradley Mills

And their lives together as told by LaUna herself.
We were married April 4, 1905 in Desert Lake, Utah. We lived with our parents 3 days then we moved in
(to a) 2 room house which Henry bought from his father, Henry George Mills. Our house was furnished with
new furniture which Henry had bought before we were married. It consisted of one table, an iron bed
spring & mattress, an extension table, 6 chairs, a glass door cupboard, an old chest that LaUna, my
grandmother, brought from England, 2 valises and clothes. Henry's mother had made him a rag carpet
which he paid her $10.00. Our range was a new Stewart which we bought from Bill Davis, the agent we
also got our cooking utensils (from). I was thankful for them.
At the time we were married Henry was herding sheep for Ruby Miller. He got 2 weeks off then went
back. His monthly wages was $45.00 per month. He kept $5.00 for his self and $25.00 on payments on
his farm and $15.00 for me but that was fine. He went to work on the 29th of April. I didn't see him until
August. When Ruby Miller sold his sheep Henry went to the Mills' winter ranch to work for a few weeks.
We went from there to the telephone line where he was overseer. When that was done we went (back) to
Desert Lake in our little house. He then got a job hauling coal for Price Co-Op from the Millburn mine in
Soldier Canyon. I stayed home. He came home occasionally. The next spring we rented Henry Allred’s house
& farm. We moved up a block from the house. While Henry farmed I took care of the bees, chickens and a
cow. In August 12, 1906, our first baby was a girl, Sylva Reah. She weighed 5 1/2 Ibs, blue eyes and
auburn hair. We surely was happy. The next winter we moved back to our house & Henry went back to
hauling coal for the Price Co-op. In the spring we went to our farm in Victor, 3 miles from Desert Lake.
In the year of 1908 our 2nd child was born, a boy, and that increased our happiness. He had brown eyes and
light hair. We named him Gerald Mozell. He weighed 101/2 Ibs, We build a little adobe house in Victor
and the year of 1910 another girl, Evella, was born. She weighed 8 Ibs, blue eyes and auburn hair. She
was a little dumpling and we were real happy about her. The winter of 1910 Henry drove mail from
Victor to Huntington 6 days a week. Henry still farmed and took care of stock. The next spring our little
family grew and it was getting quite a problem. We had to haul ice in the from the lake (all winter) and
melt it for the stock and house use.
The year of 1912 we had another son (on) January 6. He weighed 5 1/2 Ibs.. He had brown eyes, light hair. We
named him William Henry. He was darling. The next March (Then) we moved to the Austin Ranch
between Price and Victor. We lived there until November. We moved back to Victor and lived
there until February 25. We bought a(n) 80 acre farm from Ellis Johnson in the south-east corner of
Huntington. A four-roomed house also so (we) moved there and was very happy. We had a wonderful
summer. Henry still drove mail from Victor to Huntington. He stayed at Victor with his folks at night
and came to Huntington in the morning. Me and the rest of the family done the chores and kept going.
On December 22, 1913, another son was born. This was Homer Clell. He had brown eyes, light hair and
weighed 8 1/2 Ibs. He was a beautiful baby. In 1914 Henry changed the mail (route). He drove from
Huntington to Victor every morning except Sunday. We were very happy because he could be
home at night with his family. We done very good on our farm and we had a big orchard with all kinds of
fruit and berries. Had all the fruit we could use which was a treat for us. On Oct. 23,1915 we had another son.
Eugene Sheldon, He weighed 5 1/2 Ibs. He had brown eyes and light auburn hair. He was a joy to our family.
In the spring we bought our first car. It was a second-hand Ford. We bought it from George Miller of Price.
We had quite a time keeping it in repair. Henry still drove the mail. When the car broke down Henry
would take his team to Victor and I would take the bolts out of the car and Henry would put it back
together again. Sometimes we had a time starting it. In July Henry put up a garage. He was the first mechanic
in Emery county. (Henry drove the first car up Huntington Canyon. Ed) Henry's father and Henry and
Marius went in together and bought a big Case car from George Miller. They ran the stage to Castledale, Ferron
and Emery. Henry had bought a new Ford before this but he still had the mail contract. (So they) hired a
driver. We worked in the garage. It was quite a struggle for us. Henry wasn't home very much.

John Henry riding with his brother-in-law Vern Johnson.

Evella and Sheldon are in the back 1917

Gerald, the oldest boy, and me done the farming. Sylva, the oldest girl, helped, taking care of the children
and housework. We milked six cows. Had chickens and pigs. The farm was well equipped with
machinery.
On July 19, 1917 another son was born. This was Chester. He had blue eyes, light hair, weighed 8 1/2 Ibs.
We were all thrilled over his arrival. Then the war came and my youngest brother Irvin, enlisted in the Army. He
was 17 years old. That was quite a shock to us. The next year Henry's brother George was drafted. It sure
made us all unhappy for them to go. But the war was soon over. They both came back safe and well.
September 1, 1918 we moved from our little home to Price which I really regretted and was very homesick
for months. Henry, his father, and Marius took the mail contract from Castledale to Emery. The worked
night and day driving state, parcel post and mail. Henry worked so hard he got sick and had to quit driving
and take another job for the Utah-Idaho Motor Company. He was night (watch)man there and fixed his
father’s car in the daytime. We didn’t see much of him.
On August 3rd, 1919 another son was born. He had blue eyes and light hair and was a beautiful baby. We all
idolized him. We bought a home in Price in November 1919 so we never returned to Huntington only for a
visit. Henry’s health was still very poor but he kept his job and we kept going. Paid for the home.
John Henry in his car, the first car to go up Huntington Canyon accompanyed by Com Bobbins and Mart
Jensen with grandaughter. 1917
In 1921, March 11th, we lost little Eugene Sheldon. He had blood poisoning in his teeth and
appendicitis that was the shock of our lives. We just couldn't console ourselves to his death. In the
summer and fall of 1920 we had first the mumps, 2 whooping cough, 8 measles and four small pox.
The whole family had them, then scarlet fever.
In the 4th of April, 1922 another girl was born. This was Ruby Lorraine. Weighed 6 1/2 Ibs., brown eyes, and
auburn hair. We were the happiest family in the world. The three girls, Evella was 13 years old. The children
was pretty well and Henry rented a farm from Lars Gunderson. He (still) worked nights at the Utah-Idaho
Motor Co.
In 1923, in July, we took a trip to Huntington Canyon. Marius's family and ours stayed about three weeks.
We really had a nice trip but we had so many to cook for. On October 25, 1923, our little girl took the
croup and although the doctor was there nearly all the time we couldn't break it up and Lorraine passed
away. It was a very sad time for us to lose the one little angel we all loved so much. On January 10, another
son was born. Rulon Foy. He had brown eyes and auburn hair, 7 1/2 Ibs. We were thrilled with him. He just
took little Lorraine's place as much as he could. In March we bought a farm three miles south of Price and
moved out there. We had a dairy herd of cows, chickens, pigs, and one horse. It was pretty hard going. Henry
worked at night. Came home in the morning and slept. We got along pretty well until we had quite a drought
and we lost three milk cows on the 4th of July,
 On August 15th, 1926, Donald Earl was born; he was a blue eyed, blond haired baby boy. He wasn't too
well for a while but soon got big and strong. There wasn't too much only routine living until my father took
sick and died November 16, 1926. It was so sad to lose your last parent but his work was done and I think he
was glad to go. In October, 1927 Jesse and Sylva moved from Midwest, Wyoming where they lived
since they were married. Troy, their first baby, was six months old. We were happy when our family was all
together again. Henry wasn't too well but he worked hard to keep the family going. June 1st, 1928
Henry's father took very ill with blood poisoning. He was sick for five weeks. The doctor couldn't
get ahead of it so he passed away July 13, 1928. That was the first death in his family. It was so hard to
leave Grandma. She was so alone.
On November 13, 1928, another son was born to us. He name was Cecil Elvin. He had blue eyes and very light
hair. He was a comfort and a thrill to all the family. The next three years Henry had got so he couldn't work
much. His health failed him and he came home to stay.
On December 30, 1930 Rulon F. put his hand in a grain grinder and mashed it. On January 8th, 1931
we had to operate and take his hand off below the elbow. That was an awful thing but he got well and soon
helping with the chores.
We had another son born July 16th, 1931, our last. We named him Richard Buddy. He was a husky,
beautiful baby, light hair and blue eyes. It was hard going. The depression was on. We had stored hay
and grain but couldn't sell a thing for money and clothing, the things we needed.
July 31st, Gerald and Wilburn were in a car wreck going to Columbia (Missouri). It put Gerald in
the hospital. Cut his leg so bad. Cut Wilburn up pretty bad (too). Golda and Nellie and Cornelius Branch
was with them. Shook them all pretty bad. Henry had to go to their place while working on the road. We
got along ok and was soon farming again.
On Oct. 1934, we took the first trip. Henry and I never took a trip together. We left home Chet, Lloyd,
Rulon, Donald and Cecil. We took Richard with us. We went to Joseph, Sevier County, where Henry's
folks lived (Including) his uncles and cousins. Ruben, Henry's brother, went with us to see his girlfriend.
We stayed three days and a half and came home.
October 30th, Henry took very ill. We took him to the hospital and operated on him for appendicitis. He lived
five days and then passed away. I felt as though my world had tumbled from under me. I didn't know
how I was going to live without him. The two girls were married and two of the boys. That left seven boys
home. From three to twenty-one (years old) and a big farm to take care of. We stayed a year on the farm
and then we built a home in Price and moved from the farm January 16, 1936.
In March 1st, our dear little Cecil, who was seven years old, took appendicitis and pneumonia. (He) was
sick for three days and passed away in the hospital. It was a trial for all of us. Homer was working and the
second day Cecil was taken to the hospital. Homer started with bleeding ulcers. I didn't know how bad Homer
was until I came home after Cecil died. (Homer) was in bed six weeks and the other boys were in school. No
money coming in and no one to take the lead but the Lord blessed us with a good doctor, MacLaughen,
He was a wonderful man and our Heavenly Father helped me through our troubles. We had our good
friends and neighbors in Price. Homer didn't get to work all summer. Chester took over the job of
providing for the family. We raised a good garden and I put up fruit for the winter.
It was terrible. Sylva and Jesse came home from Idaho for Christmas and it started to snow. Sylva took
sick and didn't get any better until the last of March. I was ill with appendicitis and was operated on. We
all got better. Homer went to work in the timber with MacArther's. Chester drove taxi.
June, 1938, Poor little Donald broke a bone in (the heel of) his foot and caused bone infection. (He had
jumped out of a truck while it was moving). We operated on it and he darn near bled to death.
When we got him home he got around on crutches but it got worse and Dec. 17th, 1938 they operated
on him again and he passed away. The shock was too much for his frail little body. I guess our Father in
Heaven needed him. It sure took the heart out of me but we got along.
October 24th, 1939 Homer and Thelma were married. They moved to the Big Spring Ranch. On Sept. 2nd, 1940
Sharon was born. Homer moved to Price for the winter. On Nov. 2nd our dear Lloyd died of a hemorrhage of
the stomach. He was in the hospital for 2 days. It was a blow to me. I felt like I couldn't go on. Life went
on about the same. I about had a nervous breakdown. I was sick all winter. Then in March, 1940, I
thought I would try and get me a job doing ironing and house cleaning for people. This helped me a
little. I kept working until April. Then Jesse, Sylva, Tonya, Evella and families went to New Mexico for a
trip. Jesse was going to take a train but we all came back home. Gerald and Golda went to Mexico on a trip. I
took care of the children and Shirley and Richard. I went to work again. In May, 1946, Henry's brother Marius
died.
On May 26, 1946, Bud was driving a tractor and a big truck knocked him off the road. Almost killed
Buddy. (He was working for Gerald and returning a plow on a trailer to a neighbor. A big coal truck come
up from behind and hit the trailer and knocked him off the road into a gully. He was bounced into the air and
came down on the tractor and was nearly run over by the tractor. Ed.) It broke his pelvis bone, pulled all the
ligaments in his right leg, bruised a lung and chipped a vertebra. We didn't know if he was going to
make it or not but through the Elders who administered to him he got whole and well again. He worked
for Henry Lutz and on the rail road.
On July 27th, 1946 Rulon Foy married Elva Turner (Golda’s oldest daughter whose father had past away).
They lived with me for a while then they stayed with Gerald.
In November 1945 Gerald got hurt on the Wattis Mine and on November 17th passed away. We were
very sad and we just consoled ourselves about his death. Then on Dec. 30, 1946 Rulon Foy (or Ted) went to
Missouri to drive a car back for the Standard Motor. It was such a terrible time. It snowed and the roads
were bad and Ted had an accident and was killed instantly. This was the most terrible thing we all just
about died with him. That left Golda and Elva without husbands or any way to provide for them. But
Gerald left a nice home, a good farm all paid for so Golda got along pretty good. She sold the farm and the
home and moved to Salt Lake. They both got married again and are happy. On April 23, 1947 Elva had a
baby boy. They named him Teddy Foy. He had a cleft palate and a hair lip. They had him in the hospital
so much of the time it was hard time for Elva. The things of life went on about the same. We had a lot of
sickness and hospital bills.
The next summer I worked for the Dixon, Taylor, Russell furniture store and was there for 14 years.
(She stayed with them until they closed the store. Bud said she was 70 years old when she retired. Ed.)
I sure had a good job and good friends. I don't know how I could have gone on without them.
Dec. 31st. 1949, Buddy got married, then I was alone but he and Doris stayed with me for about a year
then they moved to Wattis. I thought I would die when they moved, but dear Evella lived here by me and
she never let me down. She was always here to comfort me. Life went on about the same. We all had our
sicknesses and our troubles.
In 1958 Mac (son of Homer and Thelma) was working on a ranch for Lloyd. A grandson, Bobby, was staying
with him. They found some caps and set them off and it blew them full of copper. Mac lost his right eye and
almost lost his hand. Bobby's eyes were injured but they got better.
Jan. 20, 1966, Beth married Mac. (They) have four children, two boys and two girls. Sharon also is
married. Homer and Thelma are alone now. We went on for some years. I didn't have too much
trouble. Evella was sick most of the time, was in and out of the hospital.
In 1962 William had a bleeding spell. He bled for five days. The thought he'd have to be operated on but
he got better. We were very happy when he stopped bleeding.
In September or the last of August I went to Washington to visit Ethel. I stayed two weeks and had a very
nice visit. I came back and stayed at Rupert, Idaho and visited with Chester and Loa Jean and stayed a
week there. Evella went to Dragerton hospital. She was so thin and ill. She was there for two weeks and
got better. Jesse, Sylva lived in Montana. That winter Jesse and Sylva were sick so they came back
home. Sylva took bleeding there and was in the hospital for a while. She got better and they bought a big
trailer house.
On June 8th, 1963, we were planning a reunion. Chester and Loa Jean were coming home from Rupert,
Idaho. On June 8th, our dear little Evella took very sick. We took her to the hospital and that night at
9 o'clock she died. Although we knew she couldn't go on much longer, she was so weak. It was a
terrible shock to us all. It was a sad reunion. We buried her on the 12th of June. No one knows how I miss
her. Tony and Shirley were left alone but Shirley got married on August 23rd, 1963. Tony still lives alone. He has
been baptized in the Mormon Church and it made us all very happy. Hope he can go through the temple
and have his work done.
Sept. 4th 1966 Tony got married. They are very happy. They will soon go through the temple. This is all she
wrote.

Aunt Daisy was known by her family as a kind, loving and gentle person. She worked hard and humble all
her life. She enjoyed having her family around her. In June, 1937, she had John Henry's temple work
completed and married him by proxy for time and eternity. Later that year four children were sealed to
them and later most of the others joined in. She enjoyed visiting teaching and Relief Society.
As her health failed her she spent some time with Sylva in her home in American Fork, Utah. After a short time
she became hospitalized in Salt Lake. Apparently knowing that she had not long for this life she wanted to
return to her lifelong home in Price so her youngest son, Buddy brought her home and his family cared for
her for the next three months. Then on the 16th of July she quietly passed away. She was laid to rest
in the Price Cemetery next to her dear husband and some of her children. Honored with the presence of
family and friends of which my father, Emerson, was the one selected to dedicate her grave.
Richard Buddy Mills is the last remaining son of John Henry and LaUna (Daisy) and still resides in Price with
his wife Doris.
 A letter to Mama from John Henry to LaUna
This letter was found written on Utah Carbon Motor Company paper. It was written by a loving husband
and father April 4, 1928 on our 23rd wedding anniversary.
"My loved one, Days and years so swiftly ran on this occasion. You are 35 years old, the past is gone and
on this special day we may review and also you are special to me. You are the truest, kindest wife, my souls
companion and partner of life who shares my sorrows, makes my days more sweet and duties
done with pleasure more complete. Stand by me still, Dear Heart, and when you can step forth to gain Saving
Plan, then with our children in time to be our Father saving from earth trouble-free we shall progress
throughout Eternal life rejoicing still loved husband and wife. (March 25)"
Here is a little poem he wrote to her.
If all the world was good and true. If you knew that no one knew, would you?
If all the world was good and bright and if I stayed with you all night, would you?
If you dreamed of pajamas blue and two strong arms embracing you wake up and found in true, would
you?
If we were in a certain place sleeping face to face with nothing between us but some lace would you
Kiss me?