Daniel B. Mills, 88, one of the founders of Binghamton's adult eduaction system and principal of two of its grammar schools for 28 years, died last night at River-Mede Convalescant and Nursing Center, 159 Front Street. Mr. Mills had lived at 8 Johnson Avenue.
He began his teaching career in the Binghamton school system in 1912 after he was graduated from Syracuse University. He was principal of Thomas Jefferson School and the old Laurel Avenue School, later named Horace Mann.
During his tenure at these schools, he was one of the first in the 1920's to give a push to college extension courses and adult classes at night in Central High School.
Mr. Mills was attached to thousands of persons who had gone through the primary grades of his schools and maintained his friendshop with them.
On one occasion, during a sojourn in Florida, where he lived during the winter seasons after his retirement in 1940, he wrote to a Binghamton reporter.
"A child is in elementary school for seven years, in junior high school for three years and in senior high school for three years. Yet, when he is written up in the later years, only the high school is mentioned."
He said he was of the opinion a student's elementary grade accomplishments are fully as important as his achievement in high school and he listed many persons who had been under his primary grade wing, including George L. Hinman, Republican national committeeman, Supreme Court Justice Daniel J. McAvoy and Volkmar Wentzel, and editor of the National Geographic.
Mr. Mills was a native of Waverly.
Funeral service will be at 2 p.m. Saturday at the Prentice-Olsen Funeral Home, Main Street, with burial in Waverly. Survivors are his wife, Jane, of Binghampton; and three daughters, Mrs. George Yarrow of Staunton, Va., Mrs. Elmer Milliman of Rochester and Mrs. Harry Menten of Newbury Park, Cal.
MILLS-Daniel Blizard Mills, 88, 8 Johnson Ave., died Wednesday after a long illness. He is survived by his wife, Mrs. Jane Brown Mills, Binghampton, three daughtes, Mrs. George (Alice) Yarrow, Staunton, Va., Mrs. Elmer (Barbara) Millman, Rochester, Mrs. Harry (Julia) Menten, Newbuerry Park, Cal.; six grandchildren; eight great grand children. He was a graduate of Syracuse University in 1903 and a member of Psi Upsilon Faternity; he joined the Binghamton School System in 1912 and taught mathmatics in Central High; he became Principal of Thomas Jefferson School and remained for 21 years. He retired in 1940. He was director of Adult Education for 20 years. he was a member of West Presbyterian Church for over 50 years and was a deacon at that church. He was also a member of the Men's Garden Club of Broome County. Funeral services will be held Saturday at 2 p.m. at teh Prentice Olsen Funeral Home Inc. 55 Main St., with the Rev. M. Robert Lambert, pastor of the West Presbyterian Church, officiating. Burial will be in Waverly, N.Y. Friends may call at the funeral home Friday from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m.
