Miller, Wilson 1853-1924

MILLER, HAMILTON, CONLEY

Posted By: Wilma J. Vande Berg - volunteer (email)
Date: 2/26/2011 at 13:29:06

Hawarden Independent July 17, 1924
Dies suddenly on Horseback.
Wilson Miller succumbs to Heart Failure
Was Prominent Union county Farmer and one of the Few Remaining Pioneer Homesteaders.
Wilson Miller, one of Union County's best know citizens and pioneers was found dead on his saddle horse in the pasture a short distance from this farm home shortly after 6 o'clock Sunday evening. He had started for the pasture to drive up the cows for the evening milking and had been absent from the house but a short time. Mr. and Mrs. Warren Gregg were driving along the road in their car and noticed the horse standing quite still just inside the pasture gate with Mr. Miller's body pitched forward in a manner which would seem to indicate that he was adjusting a stirrup. They noticed however, the he did not move and Mr. Gregg went to investigate and discovered that he was apparently lifeless. The suspenders of Mr. Miller's overalls had caught around the horn of the saddle and held his body from falling to the ground. They went at once to the Miller home and apprised Mrs. Miller that her husband had met with an accident and a physician was immediately telephoned for but life was found to be extinct. Mr. Miller's daughter and husband Mr. and Mrs. Kenneth Johnson, had spent the afternoon at the miller home and had bid Mr. Miller good-bye scarcely ten minutes before his lifeless body was found. Death was undoubtley due to heart failure as Mr. Miller had been in his customary health and was looking regularly after his work on the farm. His death came as a great shock to the members of his family and to the entire community as well. One daughter, Miss Edith was away on a trip to the Black Hills but arrived home Mondy evening.
Funeral services were held at the farm Home, four miles northwest of Hawarden, Wednesday afternoon and were conducted by Rev. A. J. McIntosh of Sioux City, former pastor of the Presbyterian church of Hawarden. Interment was made in Pleasnt Hill Cemetery in Virginia Township a short distance form the Miller home stead. The funeral was largely attended by old friends and neighbors who had known Mr. Miller over the period of forty-five years.
Wilson Miller was the eldest son of William and Anna Conley Miller and was born at Greewood NY., Feb. 11, 1853. His death occcorred on Sunday, July 13, 1924, so he had attained the age of 71 years, 5 months and 2 days. With his parents he came to Fon Du Lac county WI, in 1859 where he lived and went west to Elk Point SD. For two years he worked in various parts of Daktoa territory and in 1880 came to Calliope where he served a grain buyer at the elevator there. On Dec. 19, 1882 he was untied in marriage with Florence H. Hamilton. In 1884 he Homesteaded in Virginia township and for forty years has continuously made his home there. In addition to his wife he is survived by six children, Mrs. Helen Finnie, William H. Miller, F. Edith Miller, R. Charles Miller, James M. Miller and Mrs. Evelyn Johnson, all of whom reside in this immediate vicinity. he is also survived by three borthers, W. T. Miller of Ripon WI, J. A. Miller of Beach ND and R. R. Miller of Minneapolis, and also leaves twelve grandsons and four granddaughter.
(the obit goes on and on about his attributes etc. )