Govan Mills, son of William Cloud and Hannah Louise Mills, was born in
     Hancock County, Tenessee, Nov. 20, 1856. Govan followed a covered wagon,
     driven by his mother, from East Tennessee to Peculiar, Missouri, where the
     family lived until the spring of 1877. He lost his left arm in a hunting
     accident three or four years before moving to Kansas. Coming to Barber
     County in 1877, the Mills family settled on Bear Creek about fourteen miles
     northwest of Medicine Lodge.
          The purpose of the Mills family in coming to Kansas was to raise cattle
     and he and his brother, Tonk, working with their father, soon accumulated a
     sizable herd. They made at least one long cattle drive from near Ft. Worth,
     Texas to the Eagle Chief Pool. This pool was an area of land leased from the
     Indians. Roughly it ran from near Freedom, Oklahoma east to Cherokee, Okla.
     They lived the rough life of cowboys, and spent many nights sleeping under
     the stars and in cow camps.
          In 1889 their father sold out his interest in cattle and real estate to
     Tonk and Govan and they continued to operate as partners until 1900. They
     disolved their partnership then by mutual agreement but continued a very 
     close and brotherly relationship until they passed away.
          Covan and Margaret (Maggie) Hittle were married in Pratt Center in 
     1896. They lived in the log cabin on Bear Creek until 1900 when they moved 
     into a new two-story house built on the ridge a couple of hundred yards west
     of the log house. Seven children were born: Beulah, married J. Clup Elsea;
     Roger, married Velma McGarvin; Temple married Mima Draper; and Govan, married
     Margaret McKenzie. Three children died in infancy.
          Govan served as undersheriff in the 90's when Tonk was sheriff. He served
     as county commissioner for two terms in the 1920's. A conservative Protestant
     he was not affiliated with any church but lived an exemplary life and was
     respected by those who knew him.
          Maggie Hittle Mills, was of Pennsylvania Dutch stock and a strong
     believer in church and school. She made every effort to get herself and 
     family to the Sunday services which were held at the Forest City Church. She
     had a beautiful singing voice, as did most of the Hittle family. When the
     Hittle relatives came to visit, a part of the evening was spent in group
     singing around the organ. There was never a deck of cards in the home as 
     long as she was living. She passed away in 1915 and was buried in the Lake
     City Cemtery.
          Govan Mills never re-married, but gave all of his time to rearing his
     five children. He served on the school board and held different township
     offices at various times. Although handicapped by the loss of his arm, he
     could saddle a horse, harness a team, throw a rope and ride better than
     many with two hands. He was best described by a pioneer neighbor lady who 
     said, "Govan surely sits a horse well and is a real gentleman."
          He passed away in 1935 and was buried beside his wife in the Lake City
     Cemetery.
               
     Source:Chosen Land - Barber County, Kansas,  pg. 329  
     Submitted by: Govan Mills