John L. Miller 1830-1911

MILLER, FLEER

Posted By: John Evan Davis (email)
Date: 11/14/2014 at 11:04:33

Ottumwa tri-weekly courier, February 09
OLD VETERAN ANSWERS CALL JOHN L. MILLER PASSED AWAY IN SOUTH OTTUMWA THIS MORNING AT 2 O'CLOCK.
Death closed a useful life this morning at 2 o'clock when John L. Miller, at the age of 75 years, a veteran of the civil war and highly respected resident, succumbed to the grim reaper. His death occurred at his home, 329 South Moore Street. His niece, Miss Lena C. Fleer, is his only surviving relative. The funeral arrangements have not yet been made. Mr. Miller was a native of Hainstadt, Odenwald, Germany, being born on June 30, 1830. At the age of fourteen he was apprenticed to learn the tailor's trade, at which he served four years. He then came to this country, landing in New York City in 1854. The following year he crossed the Mississippi and came into Iowa. He located in Keokuk county and two years later, in 1857, visited New Orleans, where he was united in marriage with Miss Caroline A. C. Fleer on the 14th of March, 1858. Soon after the marriage he came to Ottumwa, Iowa, and during the progress of the late war, Mr. Miller enlisted as a soldier in the union service, becoming a member of the 36th Iowa infantry. He was mustered in at Keokuk, and went with his regiment to St. Louis, and thence to Helena. Ark., where he was on detached service for eight months, His regiment was then ordered to Little Rock and Mr. Miller received instructions to report to Dr. Park, Surgeon-in-chief, by whom he was detailed to hospital service for one year. Soon afterward detached men were ordered to their regiments by Gen. Steele. Mr. Miller after reporting to headquarters, was ordered to report to Dr. Sawyer, surgeon-in-chief of the division, who appointed him acting hospital steward at Camden. He then returned to St. Charles, and from there was detailed for duty at the general hospital, where he remained three months. Thence he went to the hospital at Devall's Bluff, where he remained until September, 1865, and the close of the war. He was then sent to his regiment to be discharged with his comrades, having served three years and received the approval of his superior officers.