Columbus Mills was born in June, 1808 on the White Oak Plantation.

His home in Lynn became later known as Mimosa Inn.

The original house burned in 1916. Mills was a doctor and served in the Civil War.

He was a member of the General Assembly when Polk County was formed—both times.

Polk first became a county in 1846 and the act was repealed when the citizens were unable to determine a location for the county seat. It was to be named “Scuywicker” (English spelling, Skyuka).

When the county was formed the second time in 1855, the Assembly decreed that the county seat would be located within two miles of the geographic center and would be named “Columbus”, honoring Dr. Mills.