Miller, George

MILLER

Posted By: Karon Velau (email)
Date: 6/29/2021 at 13:55:55

History of Warren County, Iowa from Its Earliest Settlement to 1908, by Rev. W. C. Martin, Clarke Publishing Co., Chicago, Illinois, 1908, p.826

GEORGE MILLER
George Miller, one of the promoters and president of the Farmers Savings Bank of Lacona, having acted in that capacity since its organization, is also one of the wealthiest landowners of this section of the state, owning and operating three hundred and ninety-seven acres, situated on section 21, White Breast Township. He is also numbered among the old settlers of Warren County, having resided here for more than thirty-seven years, so that he is thoroughly familiar with the progress that has here been made in the years that have since come and gone.
Mr. Miller was born in Perry County, Pennsylvania, January 1, 1838, a son of Jacob and Polly (Billivan) Miller, who were likewise natives of the Keystone state. The father's death was occasioned by an accident in 1838, during the infancy of the son George. The mother then reared her family and later married a second time, after which she removed to Fulton County, Illinois, where she passed away.
George Miller, whose name introduces this sketch, was educated in his native state, and there remained to the age of nineteen years, when, attracted by the new and growing west, he made his way to Peoria County, Illinois, where he went to work for a Mr. Rice, by whom he had been employed in Pennsylvania, and he remained with him altogether for eleven and a half years. After making his way to Illinois he enlisted as a member of the Civil War, becoming identified with Company D, Eighty-sixth Illinois Volunteer Infantry, joining in Peoria County, on the 11th of August, 1862. He went south with his company, participating in the battles of Perryville. Kentucky, Chicka­mauga, Kenesaw Mountain, also participated in the Atlanta campaign, and was also with Sherman on his celebrated march to the sea. He also took part in the last battle of the war - that at Goldsboro, North Carolina. During his service he was taken ill and for a time was confined in a hospital. He marched with the army to Washington, where he took part in the grand review, after which he was mustered out and received his papers of discharge at Chicago.
Following the close of hostilities Mr. Miller returned to Peoria County, and was married there, October 16, 1867, to Miss Nancy Jane Frank, who was likewise a native of the Keystone state. Her father, George Frank, removed from Pennsylvania to Illinois, becoming one of the early settlers of Peoria County. After his marriage Mr. Miller removed to Stark County, Illinois, and rented a farm near Wyoming, which he cultivated for five years and then re­moved to Iowa, having previously purchased a farm in Liberty Township, Warren County. He located thereon and immediately began the further development and improvement of his place, living there for three years, after which he disposed of that property and purchased one hundred and sixty acres, this constituting a portion of his present landed possessions. As his financial resources increased he added to his property from time to time until his home farm now comprises within its borders three hundred and ninety-seven acres, situated on sections 21 and 28, White Breast Township, within a mile of Lacona, so that while enjoying the pleasures of rural life he can also avail himself of the advantages to be found in the city.
Since locating on his farm he has erected a commodious and modern country residence, has built barns and other outbuildings necessary in carrying on the raising and feeding of stock, and the care of grain, and altogether his place is one of the most valuable to be found in the entire state. He also owns another tract comprising eighty acres, and is considered one of the wealthiest landowners in the county, and is one of the heaviest tax-payers. In addition to raising grain he is also engaged in feeding and fattening cattle and hogs, preparing for the markets from two to three carloads of cattle, and about one hundred head of hogs each year. In connection with his farming interests Mr. Miller has also found time for the promotion of business concerns and was one of the promoters of the Farmers Savings Bank of Lacona, and has acted as its efficient president from the time of its organization to the present.
The marriage of Mr. and Mrs. Miller has been blessed with four sons and one daughter, namely: Frank Edgar, who is married and follows farming in Warren County, and has two sons, Glen and Harrold; Charles F., a business man of Truro, Iowa; Bert, who is at home; Alvin R., who is engaged in farming, is married and has one daughter, Margaret; Mary Ida, the wife of Fred Manser, a farmer of White Breast Township, by whom she has two children, Carl and Iola.
Politically, Mr. Miller is independent, voting for men and measures rather than party. He has never aspired to public office, feeling that his time is amply occupied with his private business affairs. Mrs. Miller and two of their sons are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church at Lacona. Steadily pur­suing his way, undeterred by the obstacles and difficulties in his path, Mr. Miller has achieved a prosperity of which he has every reason to be proud. Nor has he labored alone for his own individual interest, but has found time to give to the promotion of and interest in the Farmers Savings Bank of Lacona, which is to-day one of the safe financial institutions of this section of the state.