Mills, Dr. Thomas L.

From Biographical and Historical Memoires of Louisiana, volume 2, p. 258.
Submitted by Mike Miller

Dr. Thomas Lilley Mills, Wilderness Place, Lindsay, La., who is one of the most prominent farmers of East Baton Rouge parish, is a native of Louisiana, born in the parish of La Fourche, May 6, 1835.  He was educated in Thibodeaux and the private schools of East Baton Rouge.  At the age of nineteen he began the study of medicine under Dr. J. W. Jones, of Jackson, La., and remained under his instruction two years. In the autumn of 1855 he entered the medical department of the University of Louisiana (now Tulane university) and was graduated in March, 1857, doing credit both to himself and his preceptor. 

He was married in 1859 to Miss Mary L. Young, a daughter of the late R. T. Young, a man widely known for his ability and strict integrity.  Mr. Young was of a noted Virginia family, and could boast of a long line of noble ancestors.  He was a member of the constitutional convention of 1879. 

He was the largest land owner and planter in the parish.  Seven children were born to Dr. and Mrs. Mills--four sons and three daughters, all of whom are living.  His plantation, "The Wilderness," contains 750 acres, the principal part of which is in cotton.  In addition to this he owns a half interest in 2,000 acres, the other partner being his brother, Capt. G. C. Mills, [see sketch elsewhere, E. Baton Rouge Parish].  In 1865 Dr. Mills embarked in the mercantile trade, which be continued four years, but he abandoned this industry and now devotes his time wholly to farming. 

In 1872 and 1873 he represented his people in the legislature, which was known as the "McEnery's" legislature.  For four years he was a member of the police jury of his parish.  Dr. Mills was on the organization of the "Louisiana Central Farmers association," elected vice-president, and afterward elected its president, serving two terms, and is now vice-president of the Sixth Congressional district of the State Farmers' association of Louisiana, which meets annually in different cities of the state.  He belongs to the Masonic fraternity, in which he has held many important offices, and has represented Plains lodge, No. 135, twice in the Grand lodge, discharging the duties of this position with honor to himself and his home fraternity. 

He is a member of the Plains Presbyterian church, near his home, one of the oldest and most noted in the state.  Dr. Mills is a man who has given impetus to agriculture in his own community.  He has made a success of his undertakings, and while the profession of medicine lost a practitioner, the farmers of the parish were strongly re-enforced by the addition to their ranks of a man with his energy, push and perseverance.