Miller, John

MILLER, DE GRAUGH, CANNON

Posted By: Volunteer Transcriber
Date: 12/4/2008 at 10:22:11

MILLER, John
Farmer; S. 2; P. O. Box Metz; born in Fulton Co., N.Y., Oct. 29, 1833; when about twelve years old, he moved to Kendall Co., Illinois with his parents, and remained there until 1853, when he came to this county and located where he now lives. He has always been engaged in farming, and now owns 220 acres, valued at $6,600. He married Lucretia J. CANNON May 21, 1854. She was born in Bath Co., Ky. , July 6, 1834. Has been a member of the Baptist Church for over eighteen years. Their family consists of four children living - William, Louisa, Nancy and Jessie. Mr. Miller is a Republican. ~ "Sherman Township Biographies," The History of Jasper County, Iowa, (Chicago: Western Historical Company, 1878)
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John Miller a well-known and representative pioneer settler of Mound Prairie Township, Jasper County, now living on section 2, is a native of the Empire State. He was born in Fulton County, NY, December 29, 1833, and his parents, John and Maria (De Graugh) Miller, were also born in that state. The father served as a soldier in the War of 1812. When the subject of this sketch was a lad of twelve years, his parents immigrated westward to Kendall County, IL, where he made his home for nine years. During that time his father died. His education was acquired in the public schools of New York and Illinois, and also in the subscription schools of the former state, but though his privileges in that direction were not of the best, he has been a great reader and has thereby become well-informed man.

Mr. Miller is numbered among the pioneer settlers of Jasper County, for be here located in 1853, taking up his residence in what is now Mound Prairie Township. After a time he removed to his present farm on section 2. It was all wild land, not a furrow having been turned or an improvement made thereon. He became familiar with all the duties, experiences and hardships of pioneer life. In an early day he broke prairie with three or four yoke of oxen, and has performed all the arduous tasks of developing new land. He has seen the county transformed from a wild and unsettled region into one of rich fertility, and has ever borne his part in the work of public improvement and advancement.

May 21, 1854, Mr. Miller was united in marriage with Miss Jane, daughter of John Cannon, one of the early settlers of Jasper County. They had a family of eight children, but only three are now living, namely: John W., Nancy and Lemuel J. Their home is on a good farm of three hundred and twenty acres, which yields to the owner a good income in return for the care and cultivation he has bestowed upon it. His business career has been a prosperous one, and he deserves all the more credit for it, as his success is due entirely to his own efforts. Be had not the advantage of capital or influential friends to aid him in starting out in life.

Mr. Miller has served his fellow-townsmen as School Director, and he filled the office of Trustee of Sherman Township when this section of Mound Prairie Township formed a part of Sherman Township. He has long been an advocate of the Republican Party and its principles. His official duties he discharged with promptness and fidelity and he has always been found true to every trust reposed in him. The interest which he has taken in the development and up building of the county and the prominent part he has taken in its development in the long years of his residence here well entitle him to representation among its honored pioneers. Portrait and Biographical Record, Jasper, Marshall and Grundy Counties, IA Page 178.