MILLER, Merril Boyd: Died 1952

MILLER, RYLAND, FULLER, DAWSON, HORSTMAN, LINSAY

Posted By: Volunteer: Sherri
Date: 4/5/2017 at 10:01:34

...A, THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 25, ....
MERRIL BOYD MILLER

Merril Boyd Miller fifth child of Elisha E. and Martha Ryland Miller was born Feb. 21, 1883 at the Miller homestead two miles northeast of Bonaparte and passed away in the Grey Nuns hospital, Regina, Saskatchewan, Sept. 5, 1952 at the age of 69 years, 6 months and 15 days.

Boyd, who was known by the nickname of Jimmy to many of his friends grew to manhood on this farm and at the age of 21 left home and went west. After spending several months in California and Nevada, he went to Grand Forks, North Dakota, where he stayed about a year. From there he went to Winnepeg, Manitoba. He learned plumbing and steam fitting and worked at that in Winnepeg until 1912, when he went to Regina, Sask., where he was employed by Potts and Smith, Ltd. a firm in that business. Later he was taken in as a partner and after the death of Mrs. Smith in the first world war, the first was know as Potts and Miller Ltd. Some of their work was for the government, and one job was installing of plumbing and heating in a big school building on an Indian Reservation. In 1945, soon after the death of his partner Boyd sold his interest in the firm and retired from business.

He had been in failing health for the last five years, and one June 2 of this year was taken to Grey Nuns hospital in Regina. He was there until Aug. 22 when he was taken to his apartment, but in two days was returned to the hospital and was there until his death. he had a cerebral hemorrhage Sept. 3 and passed away Sept. 5.

During the 48 years since he left he had been back home but twice. He spent several weeks here during the summer of 1908, and two months during the winter of 1922 and 1923.

Boyd was a man of sterling qualities, and was respected and liked by all who knew him. He was hard working, and ambitious to succeed in business. His was a quiet, retiring disposition, and he found great pleasure in reading. He was never married.

He was a member of the Wascana Chapter Royal Arch Masons of Regina, Sask., Canada.

He was preceded in death by his parents, one sister, Elsie Miller of Chicago, and four brothers, Bennie Vance who died in infancy, Glenn Miller of Helena, Mont., Clayton Miller of Bonaparte, and Frank Miller of Elko, Nev. He is survived by five sisters and one brother. They are Mrs. Elizabeth Fuller of West Des Moines, Iowa, Byron and Goldie Miller, Faye Dawson, Grace Horstman and Marjorie Lindsay of Bonaparte.

He was brought to Bonaparte for burial, and funeral services were held Thursday, Sept. 11 at 2:30 p.m. in the Miller home, where he was born. Rev. E.D. Kelly, pastor of the First Baptist church of Farmington conducted the services. Interment was in White cemetery.

**Handwritten: Rec. Rep. 25 Sept. 1952

Source: Van Buren Co. Genealogical Society Obituary Book H, page 124, Keosauqua Public Library, Keosauqua, IA