MILLER, W. P. - 1914

MILLER, GRANDSTAFF, HUTCHINSON, WHARTON, JENNINGS, DENIO, HUBBARD, WHITLOCK, REYNOLDS

Posted By: Volunteer
Date: 7/5/2009 at 04:09:04

HISTORY OF
Cherokee County
IOWA
VOLUME II
ILLUSTRATED
CHICAGO
THE S. J. CLARKE PUBLISHING COMPANY
1914
by Thomas McCulla

W. P. MILLER.

For many years W. P. Miller was closely and prominently identified with commercial interests of Aurelia as principal stockholder in the Aurelia Lumber Company and the years have brought him success, prominence and a substantial fortune upon which he was enabled to retire from active life in 1908. He was born at Edinburg, Virginia, November 27, 1844, a son of Richard and Artemisia (Grandstaff) Miller, natives of Virginia, the former of English parentage and the latter of German extraction. The father was a merchant of Edinburg, Virginia, and a member of the Masonic order for fortyfive years. The mother was a member of the United Brethren church. She passed away in January, 1892, long surviving her husband, whose death occurred in 1872. In their family were six children: George, who lives in Virginia; W. P., of this review; Alice, the widow of Rev. John S. Hutchinson of Virginia; M. O., of Storm Lake; Luella, the widow of George Wharton, of Aurelia; and Mrs. Addie Jennings, of Edinburg, Virginia.

VV. P. Miller acquired his education in the private schools of Virginia and remained in his native state until he was seventeen years of age. He then enlisted in the Confederate army, joining Rices Battery, from which he was later transferred to Woodings and then back again to Rices. He was later a member of Prices Battery and saw.a great deal of active service during his three years at the front, being only once slightly wounded. After his discharge at Appomatox Court House he went to Missouri, where he spent four and onehalf years on a farm. Returning to Virginia at the end of that time, he engaged in the mercantile business there until 1873 and then moved to Iowa, settling first in Webster City, where he remained for a short time. When he left Webster City he came to Cherokee county and bought an elevator in Aurelia, operating a general coal and lumber business for seven years. He sold the enterprise at the end of that time and in 1882 moved to Alta, where he bought a lumberyard which he operated successfully for three years. When he sold this he went to Webster City and there became one of the organizers of the Farmers National Bank, controlling one-fifth of the stock, serving as the first vice president and later as cashier. He resigned his position with the bank in 1887, although he still retained his stpck, and returned to Aurelia, where he took up the management of the Aurelia Lumber Company. He later bought a controlling interest in the concern and remained active in its conduct for many years, becoming recognized during that time as a progressive, able and farsighted business man. In 1908 he disposed of his interests in the lumber company and retired from active life. He still has important business connections, however, being a stockholder in the First National Bank of Aurelia, of which he has been vice president and director since
its organization in 1892; a director of the Farmers Loan & Trust Company of Sioux City, Iowa; a stockholder and director of the Northern Telephone Company; and a stockholder in many other companies. Moreover he owns in addition to his home in Aurelia a quarter section of improved land in Minnesota.

On the 22d of September, 1875, Mr. Miller married Mrs. Elizabeth Denio, widow of C. C. Denio and a daughter of Abel and Meritta (Hubbard) Whit lock, both of whom have passed away, the father dying January 7, 1856, in New York and the mother in September, 1858, in Indiana. They had six children of whom Mrs. Miller was the fourth. Only two are living, Mrs. B. F. Miller of Des Moines, Iowa, and Mrs. W. P. Miller. Mr. Abel Whitlock was very prominent in Masonic circles. Mrs. Miller had three children by her former marriage: Virginia, the wife of W. H. Reynolds, of Orlando, Florida; Arthur, of Alta, Iowa; and Fannie, who has passed away.

Mr. Miller has filled all of the chairs in the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and is well known in Masonic circles, holding membership in Pomegranate Lodge No. 408, the chapter, commandery and shrine. Both he and his wife are members of the Congregational church. His political allegiance is given to the democratic party and while he is in no sense an office seeker, he takes an intelligent interest in public affairs and his cooperation is always readily given to the promotion of progressive public projects. The retirement which he now enjoys is well deserved for it rewards many years of earnest, conscientious and well directed labor.