Mrs. Mills

Post by Doris McCraw

aka Angela Raines

Photo (C) Doris McCraw

Do you know Mrs. Mills? Are you aware she championed her husband's cause and continued his fight after his death?

Born Esther Burnell in August of 1889 in Eureka, Kansas. As a consulting decorator, she worked for the Sherwin Williams Paint Company. A hard worker, she ended up with a nervous breakdown.

In 1916, she homesteaded near Estes Park, spending most of her time outdoors, walking numerous miles to get her mail or visit friends. This regime soon restored her health. She also designed and assisted in building her five-room cabin and built the furniture she used in the cabin.

Esther B. Mills
from Wikipedia

During this time, Esther met and spent time with Enos Mills. In 1918, she and her sister Elizabeth, who took a sabbatical, trained to be nature guides at Rocky Mountain National Park. This made the sisters the first certified nature guides with the National Park Service.

In August 1918, Esther married Enos. The couple had one child. Enos died in 1922. Esther continued her husband's fight with the park over access, finished her husband's writings, and helped restore Enos's reputation.

She passed away in April 1964 at the age of 74 in Englewood, Colorado.

Esther B. Mills

Books by Esther Mills

Until next time

Doris McCraw

Angela Raines - Amazon

Doris A. McCraw - Amazon