MILLER, William

MILLER, WALKER, FIKE, LICHTY, DIETZ, BUECHLEY, GOOD, KLINGAMAN

Posted By: P. Bergmeier (email)
Date: 1/23/2005 at 15:41:08

William Miller, residing on section 21, Orange Township, is one of the early settlers of this county, coming here in March, 1860.

He was born in Somerset County, Pennsylvania, September 26, 1827, his parents, William and Mary (Walker) Miller, being reared and married in the same county. His father died there in June, 1850, and his mother is now making her home with her daughter, Mrs. Mary Lichty, in Somerset County, Pennsylvania, being now in her eighty-fifth year.

Our subject spent his youth in assisting his father with the duties of the farm, remaining with his parents till twenty-one years of age. His education was obtained at the district schools which he attended during the winter months. January 7, 1849, he was married to Lydia Fike, who was born in Somerset County, Pennsylvania, May 9, 1829, and to this union were born five children, of whom the first-born died in infancy, and their second child, Elias, died at the age of six years. Those living are-Sarah, wife of Ephrain Lichty; Susan, wife of Eli Dietz;, of Douglas County, Dakota, and John Wesley of Brule County, Dakota.

Mr. Miller was bereaved by the death of his wife March 13, 1861, and for his second wife he married Abigail Buechley, August 25, 1862, and of the ten children born to this union six survive - Lewis, Myra May, Alvin B., Ada Belle, Silas B., and Mabel Olive, all living at home. Byron and Lyman died in infancy; Eugene died aged four years, and Frank at the age of eleven months.

Mrs. Miller was born in Somerset County, Pennsylvania, September 7, 1837, a daughter of Elias K. and Barbara (Good) Buechley. Her mother died in Pennsylvania, February 3, 1851, and her father and stepmother, Sally (Klingaman) Buechley, now make their home with her and our subject. Mr. Miller visited Black Hawk County in 1857, but the same year returned to his home in Pennsylvania. He settled here in March, 1860, as before stated, on eighty acres of land which his brother, Mathias, had bought for him a few years previous. He is now classed among the acive, progrssive citizens of Orange Township and in the work of developing, improving and building up its interests he has always been in the front rank.

The first yar he came here he added forty acres of land to his original purchase and owing to his industrious habirs and good business management he has met with excellent success, and now owns a homestead of 280 acres, with good building improvements. Mr. Miller has associated with him in business his son-in-law Ephraim Lichty, under the firm name of Miller & Lichty, deeding to him one-half interest in the homestead. They also own 160 acres on section 31, Orange Township, the home of Mr. Lichty, and 160 acres in Brule County, Dakota.

Mr. and Mrs. Miller are active members of the German Baptist church. In politics Mr. Miller was reared a Whig, but has voted the Republican ticket since the organization of that party.

Source: History of Black Hawk County 1873-1904
p. 344-345