Christian Miller (1859-1944)

MILLER, LAURITZEN, BARRICK, BONNER, HEATHER, HEINSEN, GREENE, RASMUSSEN

Posted By: jane austin (email)
Date: 6/12/2021 at 21:05:24

Chris Miller Passed Away New Year's Evening. Respected Resident Made His Home near and in Sanborn since 1883.

The death of Chris Miller which occurred at his home at 10 o'clock Saturday evening, January 1, brought sadness to the hearts of a host of friends of this old and much beloved resident of the Sanborn community for over 60 years. His passing was not unexpected as he had been failing in health for some time and had been bedfast the past few months.

Christian Miller, son of George and Catherina Lauritzen Miller, was born November 20, 1859 in Schleswig, Denmark, and had reached the age of 84 years, one month, and 11 days.

In 1977, when a young lad of 17 years, he came to America and settled in Preston, Jackson county, Iowa, where his brothers, Peter and Hans, who had previously come to the united States, were residing. In 1883, he and his brother, Peter, moved to O'Brien county and settled on a farm eight miles northwest of Sanborn, where he has since made his home.

He was united in marriage to Miss Charlotte Barrick at Delmar, Jackson county, Iowa, January 1, 1889. They made their home on Mr. Miller's farm near Sanborn where Mrs. Miller passed away October 2, 1902. He retired from the farm in the spring of 1903 and moved to the town of Sanborn which he has since made his home.

March 18, 1908, he was united in marriage to Miss Mary E. Bonner, of Sanborn, by the Rev. Charles H. Seward, then the pastor of Saint Andrew's Methodist church here. Mr. and Mrs. Miller went to housekeeping in the house in Sanborn which has been their home continuously ever since.

Mr. Miller was a successful farmer and from the beginning identified himself with progressive movements and organizations for the advancement of farm and community interests. While living on the farm, in the horse and buggy days, ha and his wife took an active part in organizing a Sunday School in what was known as the Dummett school house. The work in the Sunday School progressed and the interest grew, until it developed into a preaching point served by the Methodist church from Sanborn.

Mr. Miller was baptized and confirmed in the Lutheran faith in the Old County, but was affiliated with the Methodist church, a very regular attendant, and liberal supporter of its program. In his home they maintained a "Prophet's Chamber" for visiting pastors and District Superintendents.

He was preceded in death by his parents; three brothers, Hans, Anton and Peter, and a sister, Mrs. Mattie Heather. Surviving him are his devoted wife, who ministered to his need and comfort in his last illness; a niece, Mrs. Esther Margaret Heinsen Greene of Greenville, Ia., who made her home with them from childhood; one sister, Mrs. Marie Rasmussen of Sioux Falls, South Dakota; three brothers, Miss G. Miller of Page, Nebraska, Martin Miller of Sibley, Iowa, and Ever Miller in Denmark; and 15 nieces and nephews.

Fraternally he was a member of Onyx Lodge of Free and Accepted Masons of Sanborn; he was initiated March 29, 1893, passed on January 8, 1894, and raised in March, 1894.

Funeral services were conducted from his home in Sanborn on Tuesday, Jauary 4, 1944, by the Rev. Boldon Weikel, pastor of the Methodist church. The texts were Psalms 16:11 and Timothy 4:6

Sanborn (Iowa) Pioneer, 6 Jan 1944, pp 1,8