MILLER, Byron: Died 1955

MILLER, RYLAND, FRITSINGER, FULLER, DAWSON, HORSTMAN, LINDSAY

Posted By: Volunteer: Sherri
Date: 3/4/2017 at 03:29:14

BYRON MILLER

Byron Miller, fourth child in a family of twelve children, was born to Elisha E. and Martha Ryland Miller, May 6, 1881, at the Miller homestead two miles northeast of Bonaparte and passed away there May 10, 1955 at the age of 74 years and four days.

Byron spent his entire life in the Bonaparte community where he continued to actively operate the home farm until the time of his passing. Two years after his marriage to Miss Mary Lucille Fritsinger April 21, 1920, they moved to a home within one mile of the home place where he lived until stricken by a heart ailment on April 23 of this year.

Two children were born to this union, Fred Bryce and Eugene Boyd.

Byron was one of the most prominent farmers in the community where he was widely known and respected by everyone. He excelled in livestock raising and feeding from which he derived some of his greatest pleasures.

He was active in community affairs and tried to do his part at being a good citizen until the last. He was a member of the board of trustees of the Bonaparte township for over 40 years. He was elected president of the Thomas Payne school district at the age of 21 and was still serving in that capacity at the time of his death, for a total of 53 years. He served as an election official at all general elections for over 40 years. He was a member of the Bonaparte Masonic lodge No. 73 A.F. & A.M.

He was preceded in death by his parents, one sister, Elsie Miller of Chicago and five brothers, Bennie Vance, who died in infancy, Glenn of Helena, Mont., Clayton of Bonaparte, Frank of Elko, Nevada, and Boyd of Regina, Saskatchewan. He is survived by his widow, Mary, and his two sons, Bryce, who lives in Phoenix, Arizona, and Gene, who lives in Chicago; four grandsons and five sisters. The sisters are Mrs. Elizabeth Fuller of West Des Moines, Iowa, Goldie Miller, Fay Dawson, Mrs. Grace Horstman and Mrs. Marjorie Lindsay all of Bonaparte.

Funeral services in charge of Rev. Gerald Beltz, were held at the First Baptist church in Bonaparte Sunday, May 15th. Burial in Bonaparte cemetery. The pallbearers were Carl Klingler, Edward Cassaidy, Stanley Miller, Otis harkness, Ira Warner and Forrest Wilson. Masonic services were conducted at the cemetery by the Bonaparte Lodge No. 73, A.F. & A.M.

Source: Van Buren Co. Genealogical Society Obituary Book H, Page 107, Keosauqua Public Library, Keosauqua, Iowa