MILES, Robert - 1914

MILES, WATTS, BARGER, ROHRER

Posted By: Volunteer
Date: 7/6/2009 at 02:12:48

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

ROBERT MILES.

Robert Miles, a resident of Cherokee county for the past fortytwo years, is numbered among the prosperous and representative agriculturists of Liberty township, owning and cultivating one hundred and sixty acres of land on section 35 and three hundred and twenty acres on section i. His birth occurred in Cambridgeshire, England, on the 2$d of November, 1844, his parents being Robert and Ann (Watts) Miles, who were likewise natives of that country. The father, who was born in 1811, devoted his attention to general agricultural pursuits in England throughout his active business career and there passed away in 1882.

Robert Miles, Jr., attended the school of his native land in the acquirement of an education and remained at home with his parents until 1864. When a young man of twenty years he determined to establish his home in the new world and crossed the Atlantic to the United States, landing in New York city. Thence he made his way direct to Iowa and for a per.iod of seven years worked as a farm hand in Linn county. Subsequently he came to Cherokee county and operated a rented farm in Sheridan township until 1874. In that year he lookup his abode on a tract of forty acres on section 35, Liberty township, which he had acquired in 1872, subsequently extending its boundaries by additional purchase, until it now embraces one hundred and sixty acres. He also came into possession of three hundred and twenty acres on section i, Liberty township, and has improved all of his property until it is now very valuable. In the conduct of his agricultural interests he has won a gratifying and merited measure of success, his well tilled fields annually yielding golden harvests in return for the care and labor which he bestows upon them.

On January 26, 1871, Mr. Miles was united in marriage to Miss Louisa Barger, who was born in Northumberland, Pennsylvania, on the i8th of April, 1847, her parents being John and Mary A. (Rohrer) Barger, likewise natives of the Keystone state. The father came to Iowa in an early day and throughout the remainder of his life resided near Cedar Rapids, working at various occupations. His demise occurred in 1873, while his wife was called to her final rest in 1860. Mr. and Mrs. Miles are the parents of seven children, as follows: Anna M.; Abbie Dell; William L.; Robert R. and Rosa May, twins; Edith L.; and Bessie B., and they have an adopted daughter, Bessie S.

Mr. Miles gives his political allegiance to the republican party and has served his fellow townsmen in several positions of public trust. He is now acting as assessor of Liberty township, and has served in that capacity for the past two years, while at a previous period he held the position for twelve years. He likewise served as township trustee from 1882 until 1888 and has also been road supervisor and school director, ever discharging his public duties in a commend-able and efficient manner. His religious faith is that of the Presbyterian church. Both he and his wife are widely and favorably known throughout the community, having won the unqualified confidence and regard of all with whom they have come in contact throughout the long period of their residence here.