MILLER, LEROY F.

MILLER, CLARK, POTTER, FOWLER, HOWE

Posted By: Jean Kramer (email)
Date: 12/16/2003 at 16:23:18

Biography reproduced from page 231 of Volume II of the History of Kossuth County written by Benjamin F. Reed and published in 1913:

Leroy F. Miller, who is living practically retired on a farm of thirty-two acres in Cresco township, two miles west of Algona, has always devoted his energies to agricultural pursuits. He was born in Allamakee county, Iowa, on the 26th of July, 1859, and is a son of David and Freelove (Clark) Miller, natives of Steuben county, New York. The father, who was a stone mason and plasterer came to Iowa during the pioneer days, locating in Allamakee county. There he bought a farm which he operated in connection with following his trade about 1868. He then disposed of his interests in the eastern part of the state and came to Kossuth county and took up a homestead. After cultivating this for a short period of time he sold it and went to Missouri, where he continued to follow his trade and also engaged in farming until 1873. In the latter year he returned to Iowa with is family, locating in Polk county. He farmed there two years and at the expiration of that time came to Kossuth county to take possession of a farm which had been left to him by a deceased son. In the operation of this tract he met with good financial success, and later extended his holdings by the purchase of another forty acres. There he and his wife passed the remainder of their lives, the mother’s death occurring on May 6, 1897, and that of the father on the 6th of January, 1902.

The education of Leroy F. Miller was begun in the district schools of Allamakee county, continued in those of Kossuth county and Missouri, and completed in Kossuth county. Practically his entire life has been passed on a farm and he has always been successful in agricultural pursuits. He remained with his parents until he was twenty-five years of age, when he purchased one hundred and twenty acres of land in Whittemore township, this county, and began farming for himself. Mr. Miller is practical and systematic in his methods, always directing his efforts toward the accomplishment of a definite purpose. During the twenty-three years he lived on the farm in Whittemore township he effected many improvements in the place. He is progressive in his ideas and as his circumstances warranted installed at various times on his farm modern conveniences and appliances, thus adding greatly to the value of the property. Having acquired a competence that made it possible for him to live a less strenuous life he rented his farm in 1907 and purchased his present place in Cresco township. He has since sold his farm in Whittemore township. He has always led too active a life to be satisfied to live retired and successfully operates his farm in Cresco township.

On the 20th of December, 1885, Mr. Miller was united in marriage to Miss May Potter, a daughter of Sherman S. and Salome (Fowler) Potter. The father was a native of Erie county and the mother of Steuben county, New York, but the father when very young removed with his parents to Ohio. When he was a youth of seventeen he accompanied his people to Knox county, Illinois, and there farmed with his father until he was twenty-one years of age. Upon attaining his majority he left the parental roof and began his independent career as an agriculturist, continuing to reside in Knox county for several years thereafter. He subsequently went to Altona, Illinois, and engaged in the grocery business, but at the end of seven years he withdrew from commercial activities and once more turned his attention to farming. After leaving Altona he came to Kossuth county and bought eighty acres of land, in the cultivation of which he met with good success, and added to his holdings from time to time until he held the title to three hundred and twenty acres. Mr. Potter passed away on his farm on the 29th of October, 1894, but his wife is still living at the age of seventy-six and makes her home with her daughter and son-in-law, our subject. Mr. Potter held several township offices and was a republican. Mrs. Potter is a daughter of Levi and Anna (Howe) Fowler, the father a native of Massachusetts and the mother of Vermont. They removed to Michigan in 1837 and there the father passed away on the 26th of February, 1841, and the mother in 1874. Mr. and Mrs. Potter were married on August 9, 1854, and to them were born four children: Celia; Mrs. Miller; Frank; and Will. To Mr. and Mrs. Miller have been born three children. Lola, who died on October 25, 1889; Orrie L., who is twenty-one years of age; and Leona M., who is eleven.

The family are affiliated with the Congregational church, and Mr. Miller has always voted the republican ticket, but is now in the ranks of the new progressive party. He is a trustee of Cresco township. He has passed the greater part of his life in this county and enjoys a wide and favorable acquaintance among its citizens.