Rev. George W. Miller (1895)

BEERBOWER, MILLER, WESTFALL

Posted By: Kent Transier (email)
Date: 12/22/2006 at 15:59:48

Winterset Madisonian
Tuesday, 21 May 1895
Page 3

Rev. G. W. Miller, who for some time past has been a sufferer from kidney trouble and general ill health consequent upon old age, passed away at 3:20 o’clock this morning. Father Miller had passed man’s allotted period of three score years and ten. He spent the prime of his life in the service of the Lord, as a clergyman of the Methodist church, and at the time of his death held a superannuate relation with the Illinois conference. He was a man of strong and even radical convictions upon certain subjects, but they proceeded, as even those who disagreed with him admitted, from conscientiousness and a firm sense of his duty as he understood it. Though infirm of late years and confined to the house much of the time, he took an active interest in the cause of religion, morals and good citizenship, and many friends will sadly miss his hearty greetings and the word of commendation which he always had to say for some good cause. The funeral will be held on next Friday, but at which home has not been decided… (the remaining two or three lines at the bottom of the page are unreadable).
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Transcriber’s note: Researchers wanting more information may find detailed biographies of Methodist clergy at Iowa Wesleyan University. Not all clergymen are represented but it is worth the effort to inquire.
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Winterset Review
May 28, 1895
Page 5 Column 4

Rev. George W. Miller

The subject of this brief sketch was born July 14, 1818, at New Albany, Ind. The family removed to Louisville, Ky., where they resided about three years, and then settled in southern Illinois. Like his father, he was a tanner by trade.

He married Miss Elizabeth Westfall in Lawrenceville, Illinois, November 18, 1839, and she still survives him. He moved to Knox county, Ill., in 1847, and engaged in farming, and was licensed as a preacher July 10, l851, and continued his work in the Illinois and Central Illinois Conferences until his removal to Winterset in 1880.

He died at Winterset Tuesday, May 21, 1895. Surviving him besides his widow are Dr. William K. Miller, of Alliance, Neb., Dr. McK. Miller, of Winterset, Dr. John B. Miller, of Gilson, Ill., Dr. George W. Miller, and Dr. James E. Miller, of Des Moines, and Mrs. Jennie Beerbower, of Winterset.

During his residence here, though having no charge, he did missionary work through the county. So earnest was he in the cause of the Master that he could not rest from the work he loved.

Mr. Miller was a unique and rugged character, a man of wonderful physique, of sanguine and emotional temperament, intense in thought and action, he was completely wrapped up in life's calling, He never for a moment would harbor an idea that did not appeal to his conscience. Bold and fearless as a lion, his only concern was that by some error reproach might be cast upon his honor and fair name. His was an honest, open and friendly nature, winning the respect of all who knew him by his manifest integrity of purpose and thought.

His funeral occurred Friday afternoon the 24th inst., at the M. E. Church, conducted by Rev. Fred Harris, assisted by the Rev. Creighton Springer and the Rev. A. R. Morgan, old associates of the deceased in the Central Illinois Conference. Father McCaughan and Hon. Richard Price also added tributes to the memory of the departed, after which a large concourse of friends accompanied the remains to Ills last earthly resting place.

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