Pioneers of St. Clair County, Michigan - Person Sheet
Pioneers of St. Clair County, Michigan - Person Sheet
NameVirgie Lee CROSS 
Death19 Nov 1997, Palm Desert, Riverside, California4241 Age: 86
MemoPalm Desert from personal knowledge of DWM
Cremation22 Nov 1997, Mountain View Cemetery, Altadena, Los Angeles, California Age: 86
MemoPersonal knowledge of DWM
FatherReuben Smith ISENHOWER (1879-1952)
MotherWilly Clyde MAJOR (1888-1956)
Individual Notes
• When my mother divorced my father, I was 11 years old. I chose to take my stepfather’s name and was known thereafter as Virgie Lee Cross.2010
• 4th Cousin, twice removed of Pres. Dwight David Eisenhower.
• 4th Cousin, twice removed of Pres. Dwight David Eisenhower.
Census
• 1920 Census: Grand Rapids, Kent, Michigan. Age 8, b IL. Father b MO; mother b KS.5723
• 1930 Census: Highland Park, Lake, Illinois. Age 18, b IL. Father b Canada-English; mother b KS.4787
• 1930 Census: Highland Park, Lake, Illinois. Age 18, b IL. Father b Canada-English; mother b KS.4787
Spouses
Individual Notes
• Mother’s maiden surname is Anderson.2699
• Mr. Houseman had been prominent in National Insurance Circles since 1936 and had lived in California since 1944. He was graduated from the University of Chicago and a member of Beta Theta Pi fraternity, a member of the Annandale Golf Club; survived by wife, Virgie, son Robert, daughter-in-law Linda, granddaughter Pamela, Mrs. Henry Lumb.4598
• Mr. Houseman had been prominent in National Insurance Circles since 1936 and had lived in California since 1944. He was graduated from the University of Chicago and a member of Beta Theta Pi fraternity, a member of the Annandale Golf Club; survived by wife, Virgie, son Robert, daughter-in-law Linda, granddaughter Pamela, Mrs. Henry Lumb.4598
Census
• 1910 Census: Goldsberry Twp., Howell, Missouri. Age 4, b MO.4793
• 1930 Census: Chicago, Cook, Illinois. Age 29, b MO. Single. Lodger. Manager, Manufacturing. Parents b England.5730
• 1930 Census: Chicago, Cook, Illinois. Age 29, b MO. Single. Lodger. Manager, Manufacturing. Parents b England.5730
Marriage28 Apr 1933, Highland Park, Lake, Illinois
Children(Private)
Removal1925, Santa Cruz, Santa Cruz, California7497 Age: 14
Memomoved to 725 Winthrop Road
Removal1947, San Marino, Los Angeles, California Age: 36
Memomoved from 725 Winthrop Road to 1525 Oak Grove Ave (the Eckart house)
Retirement19723236 Age: 61
Death22 Dec 1983, Palm Springs, Riverside, California1166 Age: 73
Cremation27 Dec 19831166 Age: 73
Memoashes scattered over desert
EducationAB, Political Science, Stanford University, 1931 (Zeta Psi)4695
ResidenceCleveland, OH; Santa Cruz, South Pasadena (1934), San Marino, Palm Desert, CA7440
FatherDavid Williams MILLS , 1661 (1879-1957)
MotherMaud Mitchell MERRELL (1881-1937)
Individual Notes
• He [David Williams Mills] was married in 1909 to Miss Maud Merrell, of Detroit, and they have one son, Nelson.50
• …Nelson Merrell Mills, formerly of Santa Cruz and now of South Pasadena.
Mr. Mills, the son of Mr. and Mrs. David Mills, lived in this city with his parents about five years before leaving for South Pasadena where he is connected with the Standard Oil Company. He is a graduate of Stanford university.
[Note: the connection with Standard Oil was as a gas station attendant]7440
• Purchased house at 725 Winthrop Road, San Marino by April 1, 1935.6720
• SAN MARINO HOME WINS DISTINCTION
[photo caption] This home at 725 Winthrop Road, San Marino, was selected by the editors of a national magazine for its distinction in design. The residence was bought by Nelson Mills.7156
• Nelson Mills Heads Pacific Outdoor
The Board of Directors of Pacific Outdoor Advertising Co., Los Angeles, today announced the election of Nelson Mills as president of the firm, effective July 1, 1949.
A graduate of Stanford University, Mills previously was executive vice president and general manager, and has been with the company 14 years serving in all phases of the business.
The new executive succeeds Hal W. Brown, who continues as chairman of the board.7157
• Nelson’s Best Man and lifelong friend was Don Wright, who rose to be Chief Justice of the California Supreme Court. He was appointed by Ronald Reagan in 1970, and subsequently had many run-ins with Jerry Brown, when he was Governor of California. Don served from 1973 to 1980. Don graduated from Stanford in 1929, Harvard Law School, practiced law in Pasadena, California, was appointed to the Municipal Bench in Pasadena, Superior Court in Los Angeles, where he became Presiding Judge, then was appointed to the California Court of Appeals, before being named Chief Justice - which came as a complete surprise.
Source: Recollections of DWM, 8/20/95
See also2228 Hon. Donald Richard WRIGHT
• Upon Harriet’s death, [Nelson] sold the Eckart house in San Marino (at 1525 Oak Grove Avenue) in 1967. Nelson and young Don moved to an apartment on Orange Grove in Pasadena, and lived there until his wedding to Virgie Houseman.7377
• Dad requested that Gretchen and I arrange for his wedding to Virgie Houseman be conducted in a chapel. He indicated this was important to him.
• Dear Nelson
Many thanks for the penny. I have put it in my savings. In return I am sending you a good luck dime.
Love, Grandpa3369
• Former long-time San Marino resident Nelson Merrell Mills died Dec. 22 in Palm Desert, following a lengthy illness.
Mills, born in Cleveland in 1910, was a graduate of Stanford University.
He married his first wife, Harriet, in 1934, and they resided in San Marino until her death in 1966.
Before retiring in 1972, Mills had been president of Pacific Outdoor Advertising for 19 years.
He was a past president of Annandale Golf Club in Pasadena and Marrakesh Golf Club in Palm Desert and a member of Zeta Psi fraternity and Rotary International.3236
• …Nelson Merrell Mills, formerly of Santa Cruz and now of South Pasadena.
Mr. Mills, the son of Mr. and Mrs. David Mills, lived in this city with his parents about five years before leaving for South Pasadena where he is connected with the Standard Oil Company. He is a graduate of Stanford university.
[Note: the connection with Standard Oil was as a gas station attendant]7440
• Purchased house at 725 Winthrop Road, San Marino by April 1, 1935.6720
• SAN MARINO HOME WINS DISTINCTION
[photo caption] This home at 725 Winthrop Road, San Marino, was selected by the editors of a national magazine for its distinction in design. The residence was bought by Nelson Mills.7156
• Nelson Mills Heads Pacific Outdoor
The Board of Directors of Pacific Outdoor Advertising Co., Los Angeles, today announced the election of Nelson Mills as president of the firm, effective July 1, 1949.
A graduate of Stanford University, Mills previously was executive vice president and general manager, and has been with the company 14 years serving in all phases of the business.
The new executive succeeds Hal W. Brown, who continues as chairman of the board.7157
• Nelson’s Best Man and lifelong friend was Don Wright, who rose to be Chief Justice of the California Supreme Court. He was appointed by Ronald Reagan in 1970, and subsequently had many run-ins with Jerry Brown, when he was Governor of California. Don served from 1973 to 1980. Don graduated from Stanford in 1929, Harvard Law School, practiced law in Pasadena, California, was appointed to the Municipal Bench in Pasadena, Superior Court in Los Angeles, where he became Presiding Judge, then was appointed to the California Court of Appeals, before being named Chief Justice - which came as a complete surprise.
Source: Recollections of DWM, 8/20/95
See also2228 Hon. Donald Richard WRIGHT
• Upon Harriet’s death, [Nelson] sold the Eckart house in San Marino (at 1525 Oak Grove Avenue) in 1967. Nelson and young Don moved to an apartment on Orange Grove in Pasadena, and lived there until his wedding to Virgie Houseman.7377
• Dad requested that Gretchen and I arrange for his wedding to Virgie Houseman be conducted in a chapel. He indicated this was important to him.
• Dear Nelson
Many thanks for the penny. I have put it in my savings. In return I am sending you a good luck dime.
Love, Grandpa3369
• Former long-time San Marino resident Nelson Merrell Mills died Dec. 22 in Palm Desert, following a lengthy illness.
Mills, born in Cleveland in 1910, was a graduate of Stanford University.
He married his first wife, Harriet, in 1934, and they resided in San Marino until her death in 1966.
Before retiring in 1972, Mills had been president of Pacific Outdoor Advertising for 19 years.
He was a past president of Annandale Golf Club in Pasadena and Marrakesh Golf Club in Palm Desert and a member of Zeta Psi fraternity and Rotary International.3236
Census
• 1910 Census: East Cleveland, Cuyahoga, Ohio. Age 3/12ths, b OH. Father b MI; mother b IN.1772
• 1920 Census: Cleveland Heights, Cuyahoga, Ohio. Age 9, b OH. Father b MI; mother b OH [sic].1781
• 1930 Census: San Francisco, San Francisco, California. Age 20, b OH. Student. Father b MI; mother b IN. Living with parents.3619
• 1940 Census: San Marino, Los Angeles, California. Age 30, b OH. Salesman, Outdoor Advertising. Same house for 5 years.6720
• 1950 Census: San Marino, Los Angeles, California. Age 40, b OH. President, Advertising.7781
• 1920 Census: Cleveland Heights, Cuyahoga, Ohio. Age 9, b OH. Father b MI; mother b OH [sic].1781
• 1930 Census: San Francisco, San Francisco, California. Age 20, b OH. Student. Father b MI; mother b IN. Living with parents.3619
• 1940 Census: San Marino, Los Angeles, California. Age 30, b OH. Salesman, Outdoor Advertising. Same house for 5 years.6720
• 1950 Census: San Marino, Los Angeles, California. Age 40, b OH. President, Advertising.7781
Directories
• City of San Marino, California
1936: 725 Winthrop Rd, slsmn Sou Calif Tel Co (Pasa)…CO 15226717
1949: 1525 Oak Grove Ave.6303
1950: Mills, Nelson (Harriet E) pres Pac Outdoor Adv Co (L A), h 1525 Oak Grove Av....SY 2-18466303
1936: 725 Winthrop Rd, slsmn Sou Calif Tel Co (Pasa)…CO 15226717
1949: 1525 Oak Grove Ave.6303
1950: Mills, Nelson (Harriet E) pres Pac Outdoor Adv Co (L A), h 1525 Oak Grove Av....SY 2-18466303
Marriage30 Mar 1968, South Pasadena, Los Angeles, California
Marr MemoRedwood Chapel, Oneonta Congregational Church
No Children