The Legacy of Albert & Fidelia Mills

Approximately every two years the descendants of Ralph and Lydia Mills meet in Oregon to celebrate our family.

Our family descends from John Mills, 6th child of Simon and Mary Mills of Yorkshire or Devon, England. The line continues through Joseph, Ezekiel, Isaac, Albert J., Albert W., and Ralph Wilson Mills.

The first reunion was held in 1868 on Christmas Day at the home of Albert J. and Fidelia Mills. There were 23 people at the party, and these annual Christmas gatherings continued for many years, with the last one in 1911. A record book was kept in which all births, marriages and deaths were faithfully recorded. Albert W. Mills hosted the Christmas Day reunions in 1873 and in 1884. At some point reunions were held every August for all the families of the sons of Ezekiel Mills. In 1901 Albert W. Mills followed his son Ralph to Oregon and later lived at the Soldier’s Home at Sawtelle, California during the winters. In the Spring he visited relatives in Ohio, Oregon, and California. He is buried in the Grand Army of the Republic Cemetery in Portland, Oregon.

Ralph and Lydia Mills were married for over 60 years, living in Portland, Oregon and Tillamook, Oregon. They raised 9 children, Ruby, Fred, Frank, Albert, Archie, Ellen, Ida, Esther, and Agnes, who continued the Mills Family Reunions every other year in Tillamook, Oregon. The 1936 (or 37) reunion family picture is shown below. The 2016 Reunion took place at Champoeg State Park in St. Paul, Oregon after a 4-year break. The last reunion was in 2018 at the Swiss Hall in Tillamook where we celebrated the 150th anniversary of Mills Family Reunion. The next reunion is scheduled for 2021 in Tillamook, Oregon.

For a more complete history, read “Mills Family History” which is located on the Family History Page. We are proud of our family, and we look forward to many more gatherings where we can share our wonderful Mills Family heritage!