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Bureau,Marshall,Putnam Biographical Records 1896 > William Miller


Source: The Biographical Record of Bureau, Marshall and Putnam Counties, Illinois
Originally published 1896
S. J. Clarke Pub. Co., Chicago, IL
Reproduced on CD purchased from OLD GLORY ACCENTS

RELATED LINK: Index to all Biographies from this book

Transcribed by: Denise McLoughlin
Tampico Area Historical Society
www.tampicohistoricalsociety.citymax.com

WILLIAM MILLER

William MILLER, a well known resident of Malden, was for many years a leading and energetic farmer of Selby township, Bureau County, but is now living retired. He is a native of the buckeye state, his birth occurring in Clark county December 2, 1822. His grandfather, Gristley MILLER , was born in Germany and on coming to the United States located in Virginia, where was born Isaac MILLER, the father of the our subject. The last named spent his boyhood and youth principally in Kentucky and Ohio, and during early manhood participated in the war of 1812. He was married in Ohio to Miss Sarah SEARL, a daughter of Timothy SEARL who at an early day came to that state from New York. In Clark county the parents spent their remaining days, the father dying in 1843, and the mother a number of years previously.

Upon the home farm in that county our subject remained until after his father's death, aiding in the labors of the fields. He is already self-educated, as during childhood he had no school privileges, and the knowledge he has acquired has principally been gained since reaching manhood. The year 1848 witnessed his arrival in Bureau county, having made the journey by team from his old home, and here purchased a tract of two hundred acres in Selby township. This he cleared, improved and cultivated for about forty four years, converting it into one of the best farms in the locality. Renting it, in March 1885, he removed to Malden, where he purchased his present comfortable residence, and there has since made his home. After many years of usefulness he is now enjoying a well-deserved rest, surrounded by everything that goes to make life enjoyable.

In Bureau county, on the 23rd of November, 1850, was performed a wedding ceremony which united the destines of Mr. MILLER and Miss Calista Parlanna LATHROP, a native of Otsego county, New York, and a daughter of John S. LATHROP, a pioneer settler in Bureau county. Here Mrs. MILLER has made her home since a child of six years. Then union has been blessed with the birth of the following children: Lucinda, now the wife of William J. MOTZ, of Malden; Atlina A. wife of Josseph MILLER, a farmer of Bureau county; Marcellus M., who is engaged in business in Butte City, Montany; Canadian I., wife of John McNABB, who is now with her father; John H., a veterinary surgeon of Dixon, Illinois; Elsie, who is successfully engaged in teaching in Bureau county; Cyrenus, who died at the age of four years, and Juliette Ida, who married Charles RUTTAN, but is now deceased. Mr. and Mrs. MILLER also have three grandchildren.

In his political views, Mr. MILLER is a democrat, having supported the principles of that party since attaining his majority, but cares nothing for the honors or emoluments of public office. He has, however, acceptably served as a member of the school bord for a number of years His wife and two daughters hold membership in the Methodist Epicopal church of Malden, and in social circles stand high. For fifty-one years Mr. MILLER has now made his home within the borders of Bureau county, during which time he has become closely indentified with its interests, and being a public-spirited progressive citizen has materially aided  in advancing its welfare and prosperity. His upright, honorable course has made him many friends, and he has the respect of all who know him.

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