David V. Miller, b. 6 Aug 1846

JACOBS, RALSTON, RIMMER, SINKEY, BLOOD, CAVEN

Posted By: Donna Moldt Walker (email)
Date: 2/21/2004 at 11:54:09

David V. Miller, at his snug farm, on section 27, in Brandon Township, makes a specialty of draft horses, and in connection with this industry has built up for himself an enviable reputation. He is a native of Dearborn County, Ind., and was born Aug. 6, 1846. He is the son of Joseph B. and Mary (Jacobs) Miller, who were also natives of the Hoosier State, and removed thence to Iowa in December, 1856, settling first in Canton, Brandon Township. The following year they changed their location to the farm now occupied by their son, our subject. Upon this the father resided until the fall of 1886, then removed to Arkansas County, Ark.; the mother in the meantime dying in Brandon Township, in 1876.

To Joseph B. and Mary A. (Jacobs) Miller there were born fourteen children, eleven of whom grew to manhood and womanhood. Leonidas, during the late war, served as a Union soldier in the 26th Iowa Infantry, and was killed while on duty; David V., our subject, was the second child; Mary became the wife of Robert Ralston, of Brandon Township, and was the mother of two sons, William and Augustus; she died when about twenty-one years old. Joseph H. is a resident of South Fork Townhip, this county; Clarence C. resides in Dallas County, Iowa; Ann E. is deceased; Charles A. lived in Arkansas, and died May 1, 1889; Martha J. is the wife of David Rimmer, of this county; Michael H. is farming in Brandon Township; Julia is the wife of George Sinkey, of Brandon Township; Sarah E. (Mrs. William Blood) resides in Farmers' Creek Township, this county. After the death of of his first wife, Mr. Miller was married a second time, and is now living in Arkansas.

David V. Miller, our subject, spent his boyhood and youth at the parental homestead, occupying himself in farm pursuits, and worked considerably at the cooper's trade. On July 14, 1872, being ready to establish a home of his own, he was united in marriage with Miss Helen Caven, of Brandon Township. They were the parents of six children, namely: Mary (died May 8, 1889), Myrtle, Maude, Amanda, John J., and Mina. In politics Mr. Miller is a National Greenbacker. He has served as School Director in his District, but aside from this has declined the responsibilities of the office-holder. He has a good farm of 230 acres, with fair improvements, and is surrounded with all the comforts of life. Without making any great stir in the world, he has pursued the even tenor of this way as a reliable and law-abiding citizen, and has contributed his full quota to the dignity and respectability of his township.

("Portrait and Biographical Album of Jackson County, Iowa", originally published in 1889, by the Chapman Brothers, of Chicago, Illinois)