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D
 O. M
.
In Westchester county, New York, was born one bright September day, in
1825, Darius O. Mills. True, it is, that his parents were somewhat well-to-
do people, but Darius O. Mills would have become a wealthy man had he
been born in poverty.
If a man determines to succeed and has a perceptive mind to see
opportunities, if he relies on no one but himself, and follows this up by
hard, persistent work, he will succeed. If he does not he is lacking in some
other vital point, but we have never yet read the life of any man who
possessed these qualities but that he was a success. What one has done
another can do under the same conditions and circumstances. For some time
he was casting about to find his calling, and finally determined to become a
banker. In this sphere he has proven himself a phenomenon. His talent for
money-making was early apparent, and he was appointed cashier of a bank
in Buffalo when only twenty-one. Now it must not be imagined that Darius
O. Mills was picked up indiscriminately and placed in so responsible a
position. Things do not come by chance. It is evident the case under
consideration did not happen through 'good luck.' He was a young man of
unusual ability, of which he has always made the most. The bank flourished
and at twenty-three he resigned and, taking what money he had, he was
soon on his way to California. He did not go there to dig gold. Darius O.
Mills knew that gold was the object of nearly every one who went; he also
knew that the people must live; he perceived the chance to make a fortune
as a merchant. Like any man who will succeed, he acted at once. In 1849 he
settled in San Francisco, opening trade with the miners.
In the course of a few years he became immensely rich through very
successful trade and, as he was about to retire from active business, the
Bank of California was projected. This he materially aided into existence,
and as he was recognized as one of the ablest financiers in the city, he was
chosen its first President. So well did he manage its affairs that it soon

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became the leading banking institution in the country, wielding an immense
power in the financial world. He remained at its head for nine years when
his private fortune had assumed such mammoth proportions that it
demanded his immediate attention, he therefore resigned in 1873.
In 1875 his successor, William G. Ralston, was asked to resign and the
bank suspended. Mr. Ralston was a splendid man, but had been somewhat
unwise in placing the bank's money, and thus the failure was brought about.
At a meeting of the directors it was decided to ask for the resignation of the
President. Mr. Mills was the person selected to convey the intelligence of
the result of the meeting to Mr. Ralston and this he did. Mr. Mills, much
against his personal desire, once more assumed the presidency of the bank,
and after three years he once more resigned to attend to his private affairs;
leaving the bank in a flourishing condition. Possibly no man in America is
better capable of handling large sums of money, to bring not only large
returns, but to handle the money safely.
In 1880 he turned his attention toward the East, moving his family to Fifth
Avenue, New York city. His large business block, the Mills Building, ten
stories high, fitted up for offices containing three hundred in all, is a
magnificent structure. His wealth is very great, being estimated at from
fifteen to twenty millions of dollars. He has established on the Pacific slope,
at a cost of about two hundred thousand dollars, a seminary for young
ladies.
He has also presented a beautiful piece of statuary to the State of
California. It is a magnificent gift, representing Columbus at the court of
Isabella. He has given numerous costly presents to institutions and relatives.
Among the shrewd far-sighted men of the country few are more
distinguished than is Darius Ogdon Mills.

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