JUSTIN WILLARD MILES, b 18 Jun 1830 (Part 1 of 3)

MILES, HASKINS, RICE, SCOFIELD, DEMING, RIGBY, HECKERT, HARSH

Posted By: Donna Moldt Walker (email)
Date: 7/11/2004 at 08:04:20

The Hon. Justin Willard Miles is a prominent banker and pioneer of Jackson County, and he was born in Canaan, Wayne Co., Ohio, June 18, 1830. He is a descendent of English stock, his great-grandparents coming from the mother country about 1750 and settling in New England, where were born Timothy, Abner, and Thomas. The second son, Timothy, was the grandfather of our subject, and the three brothers above mentioned were the virtual head of the Miles family, whose descendents are now scattered throughout the United States.

At the commencement of the Revolutionary struggle J.W. Miles' grandfather, Timothy Miles, then living in the wilds of Vermont, was taken prisoner by a band of Indians, under the command of a British officer. His house was burned and his family turned into the woods without shelter, and he himself was kept in close confinement for several months before being liberated. His wife and family, meanwhile, found refuge at the house of a neighboring settler.

Soon after the return of Timothy Miles the three brothers formed the project of fitting out a vessel, and going over to France for arms and ammunition, and from there to cruise against the commerce of England. The enterprise seemed feasible, as Abner, being a sea-captain, and understanding navigation, was peculiarly fitted for such an undertaking. A fine craft was secured, and a suitable crew was enlisted. A number of wooden guns were made, and painted to represent the genuine article, but without a real gun on board, and trusting to fortune and a clean pair of heels, they hoped to reach France, where supplies could be obtained in abundance.

After many adventures, when their object was almost attained, they were captured by a British man-of-war, and confined in the old Jersey prisonship, then lying at New York Harbor. Abner, through the influence of the Masonic fraternity, was soon released. Timothy and Thomas, however, remained prisoners for several months; then they were exchanged, and afterward participated in many of the battles of the war, and were present at the surrender of Lord Cornwallis and his army. At the close of the war Timothy returned to Randolph, Vt. Abner settled in Massachusetts or Connecticut, while Thomas located in Pennsylvania, near the lake shore, where many of his descendants now reside. Timothy afterward removed to Three Rivers in Canada, where he laid the foundation of that prosperous city. He became quite wealthy, and owned a large tract of land near that place. About the year 1818 he became financially involved as security in a mercantile venture of one Dan Moulton, his son-in-law. His fine estate was swept away, and he became bankrupt. He did not survive his misfortune, but, a few months later, passed away, and his wife soon followed him. He was the father of eight children, three sons and five daughters. They were named respectively: John, James and Justin, Marcia, Dolly, Lucia, Almira, and Theda.

Justin Miles, the father of Justin W. Miles, was twice married, his first wife being Miss Tabitha Haskins, of Canaan, Ohio. She bore him three children, one son and two daughters - James N., Elizabeth and Mary. His second wife was Miss Harriet Rice, a native of Greensboro, Vt., who was a grand-daughter of Commodore Whipple, of the British Navy. She bore him six children, four sons and two daughters, Justin Willard being the eldest; Orson, the second son, was in the Australian mines from 1853 until 1872. He now lives in Cedar County, Iowa; Hiram Avery, the third son, owns a fine farm near Miles, and is engaged in farming. The youngest, Forest M., enlisted in the 24th Iowa Infantry, in the fall of 1862, and served during the war.

Forest participated in all the battles his regiment was engaged in, taking an active part in the battles of Morganza Bend, Balls' Bluff, Port Gibson, Champion Hills, capture of Jackson, Miss., and siege and capture of Vicksburg. He also accompanied his regiment and participated in all the battles of the Red River campaign, under Gen. Banks. At the battle of Cedar Creek, in the Shenandoah Valley, Va., he was severely wounded in the right foot, and for a time was in the hands of the enemy, but was recaptured the same day. He now resides on the old homestead at Miles, Iowa. The oldest daughter, Sarah, was married to A.J. Scofield, at Canaan, Ohio, who also enlisted in the 24th Iowa Infantry, and was killed at the battle of Champion Hills. She afterwards married John Deming, and now lives in Cedar County, Iowa. The youngest daughter, Harriet Alma, married Capt. Martin Rigby, of Company I, 24th Iowa Infantry and also resides in Cedar County, Iowa.

Justin Miles was born in Randolph, Vt., in 1793, and in company with his two brothers, John and James, emigrated to Ohio in 1820, Justin settling in Canaan, Wayne County, and James in Guilford, Medina County. John soon after removed to Yankee Springs, Miclr*. In 1852 James removed to Jackson County, Iowa, and was soon afterward followed by Justin. At that time the land was mostly owned by the Government, and the Miles brothers had the honor of patenting the land where the beautiful little city of Miles now stands, and whence it derives its name.

Among the daughters of Timothy Miles were some very fine singers, especially Marcia, whose daughter, Caroline, was the mother of that very distinguished soldier, ex-Governor R.A. Alger, of Michigan. Gen. James N. Miles, of the regular army, the renowned Indian fighter, is a descendant of Abner Miles of Revolutionary fame. As a race they are peculiarly noted for their force of character, their unflinching adherence to what they believe to be right, and their strong regard for everything that is American.

The Miles family was among the first to rally around the flag in defense of the Union during the late Civil War, and were among the most loyal supporters of Lincoln's administration. Coming from the old Whig stock, they are naturally Republican, and are of that radical mold that makes them strong partisans.

Our subject was elected a member of the Seventeenth General Assembly from Jackson County, Iowa, overcoming a large Democratic majority, and served his constituency in a very acceptable manner. He was made a member of the Agricultural Congress of the United States by Gov. Sherman. Representing his State in that body for five consecutive sessions, he was honored with the Chairmanship of the Iowa delegation.

Mr. Miles was married, Feb. 4, 1856, to Miss Sarah Jane Heckert, daughter of John and Saloma (Harsh) Heckert. Mrs. Miles is a native of the same town as her husband, and was born March 4, 1837. To them have been born three children, namely: Hattie Idell; Pearl died, aged two yesrs; and Benjamin Franklin. Those living are still single, and remain at home. Their daughter is an accomplished vocalist, and for the past seven years has been residing in Boston and New Bedord, Mass., the greater portion of each year.

When Mr. Miles began life here in Iowa he had but little money, and his success is largely due to his own indefatigable industry and application to various business enterprises, among which was farming, which he closely followed up to 1870. In that year, when the Chicago, Milwaukee & St. Paul Railroad was built, he, with eleven others, went on a bond for $15,000, to be paid when the road was completed to the town of Preston, the first town west of Miles, and the contract was carried out by both parties. After the station was located at Miles he took charge of it, and engaged in dealing in live stock and in the grain business. He was agent here for seven years, and in the grain and produce trade for twelve years, doing an extensive and lucrative business. During this time he still carried on his farming interests.

Few men in Iowa have had so extensive an acquaintance throughout the entire State as Mr. Miles. His fine conversational powers, combined with his genial, frank disposition, make him the center of attraction in every social circle. He has, for many years, taken great interest in Free Masonry, and has taken all the degrees, both ancient and modern, except the thirty-third degree. He is now quite extensively engaged in agricultural pursuits, and is the founder and President of the Exchange Bank of Miles, where he now resides.

We have asked J.W. Miles to write in his own language for our Jackson County Album, the balance of his personal history.

(Continued in Part II)

* Typed exactly as printed in original volume.

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