Source: Thje 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

Page 74

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

JOHN H. MILLER

To the enterprising business man of known reliability every community is indebted for its progress and upbuilding, and to this class belongs the subject of this revie, a member of the well-known lumber firm  of H. J. MILLER & SON, of Spring Valley. Their yards are the largest to be found inBureau county and they have ever done an extensive business, especially during the years 1886 and 1887. Business was begun under the firm name of H. J. MILLER, SON & DRUGGAN, which connection was contued until 1893, and the firm has since been H. J. MILLER  SON.

Our subject is a native of Bureau county, born in Hall Townxhip, November 27, 1856, and is a son of H. J. and Mary A. J. R. (WILLIAMS) MILLER, whose sketch is found elsewhere in this work. His grandfather, Henry MILLER, was born in North Carolina, where his father died, and he was taken by his mother, who bore the maiden name of Elizabeth DETHERIDGE, to Warren county, Kentucky, where her death occurrred. There Henry MILLER wedded Sally HALL, a daughter of Edward HALL, on whose tomb is written "He was a Revolutionary soldier." This sentence was suggested by the father of our subject, and is an inscription of which his descendants may justly be proud, knowing that they belong to the Sons and Daughters of the Revolution. The maternal grandparetns of our subject, Curtis and Mary (PETER) WILLIAMS, were natives of Kentucky, whence they removed to Indiana at an early day, from there proceeding to Sangamon county, Illinois, and then came to Bureau county, settling in Arispie township. The grandfather was born in Warren county. Kentucky, March 16, 1797, and died September 3, 1858, while his wife was born in Washington, Kentucky, March 15, 1804.

Mr. MILLER of this review, was educated in the common schools, and later took a business course at Adrian, Michigan, under Evans & Grosscup, graduating from the college there in 1875. For a time he then engaged in farming  and then started in his present business at Spring Valley. However, he still gives some attention to agricultural pursuits, annually raising about one hundred and fifty acres of corn and from fifty to seventy-five acres of smaller grain.

On the 25th of January, 1877, in Kansas, was celebrated the marriage of Mr. MILLER and Miss Mary E. WILHITE, a daughter of Hampton WILHITE, and  granddaughter of Isham WILHITE. Her family were old residents of Bureau county, and her mother, who in her maidenhood was Miss Samantha MANSON, was a native of the county. The home of our subject and wife has been blessed by the birth of the following children. Henry J., Ethel, Royal, Melvin M., C. FIRTH and Maggie.

In politicvs, Mr. MILLER is not bound by party ties, but holds himself free to support the men and measures he deems best. He cares nothing for office, having only served as collector one term. Sociallyt he is connected with S. M. Dazell Lodge, No. 805, F. &^ A. M., and religiously is a member of the Methodist Episcopal church, while his wife holds membership with the Congregational church. He is a wide=awake, progressive citizen, highly respected and esteemed by the entire community and looked up to as a man truly upright and honorable in all things and one whom they can depend upon as a friend.