Mills, Susan Tolman (1825–1912)

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Mills, Susan Tolman (1825–1912)

American educator. Born Susan Lincoln Tolman, Nov 18, 1825, in Enosburg, VT; died Dec 12, 1912, in Oakland, CA; dau. of John Tolman (tanner) and Elizabeth (Nichols) Tolman (died 1837); graduate of Mount Holyoke, 1845; m. Cyrus T(aggart) Mills (Presbyterian missionary), Sept 1848 (died 1884).

Taught at Mount Holyoke Seminary (later College), which served as a model for her later educational activities; with husband, performed missionary work in Ceylon and Hawaiian Islands; with husband, purchased Ladies Seminary in Benicia, CA, which later became Mills Seminary then Mills College, the 1st women's college on the Pacific Coast; elected 1st president of Mills College (1890) and served for 19 years.

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