SAMUEL P. MILLER

MILLER

Posted By: Jake Tornholm (email)
Date: 4/20/2020 at 20:09:20

SAMUEL P. MILLER, a farmer of section 13, Red Oak township, is a highly respected citizen, having been a resident of this State ever since 1843, and of this township since February, 1880. He was born in Fayette county, Indiana, November 15, 1829, a son of Isaac Miller, a Virginian by birth and of German extraction. His mother, whose maiden name was Artemisia Richards, was also a native of Virginia. Young Miller, of this sketch, was fourteen years old when his parents removed with him to the Territory of Iowa, three years before it became a State, settling in Des Moines county, twelve miles northwest of Burlington. A short time before his death the father moved to New London, Henry county, this State, where he died.

Mr. S. P. Miller, our present subject, was reared on a pioneer farm and therefore received his education in the characteristic pioneer log schoolhouse, but finishing at Mt. Pleasant Academy, conducted by Professor S. L. Howe, a prominent educator. From the age of seventeen years Mr. Miller taught school for twenty-five terms, with marked success. June 15, 1854, in Des Moines county, Iowa, he was married to Samantha H. Bingaman, an intelligent lady who has been a true companion in life to her husband. She was born in Warren county, Ohio, and was eight years old when she was brought to Iowa by her parents in their emigration to this State. Her parents were Frederick and Mary (Kynett) Bingaman, her father a native of Maryland and her mother of Pennsylvania. Settling in Des Moines county, they remained there until death.

In 1880 Mr. Miller came to this county and purchased his farm of eighty acres, which is now magnificently improved. Residence, barn (46 feet square) and other outbuildings, fences, etc., as well as the fruit and ornamental trees, are all in good condition. In partnership with two of his sons he is engaged in manufacturing sorghum syrup, with all the modern improvements in apparatus, making 2,000 to 5,000 gallons annually. Mr. Miller has six children, namely: Arthur W. and Charles M., both married and living in Red Oak township; they have a good farm of 280 acres; Mary Alice, wife of John L. Redfern, of Des Moines county; Eva, wife of A. M. Selser, of Pilot Grove; Frank H., married and living in Red Oak township; and Clarence I., attending school at Red Oak. Charles M. and Frank H. have been successful teachers.

Mr. Miller is a zealous Baptist and Prohibition Republican. In the church he is a deacon; his wife and all of the children are also members of the church. He had done much for religion and morality in his neighborhood, being broad-minded and progressive.