HENRY MILLER

Henry Miller is one of the prosperous agriculturists of Farmington township, deriving an excellent annual income from a farm of two hundred and eighty acres, while through the raising and feeding of stock he yearly augments his capital. His birth occurred in Mecklenburg, Germany, on the 3d of December, 1856, his parents being Henry and Sophia (Moeller) Miller, who were born, reared and married in that country. The father’s natal day was May 17, 1830, while the mother’s birth occurred in March, 1828. In 1856, when our subject was but two months old, they crossed the Atlantic to the United States, making their way direct to Scott county, Iowa, where Henry Miller, Sr., first rented a tract of forty acres of raw prairie land. He broke it with a yoke of oxen and subsequently devoted his attention to the operation of a rented farm of one hundred and sixty acres in Scott county. In 1867 he purchased a quarter section of land in Farmington township, Cedar county, afterward added an adjoining tract of similar size and still later bought one hundred and sixty acres more, the last tract being now in possession of our subject. Therefore his holdings embraced four hundred and eighty acres of land in this county and in the conduct of his farming and stock-raising interests he won a most gratifying measure of success. He made all of the improvements on his farms and brought his land under a high state of cultivation. Unto him and his wife were born eight children, all of whom still survive, namely: Rica, a native of Germany, who is the widow of Christian Paustain, of Shelby county; Henry, of this review; William, Theodore and Charles, all of whom were born in Scott county, Iowa; Matilda, who is the wife of William Schneekloth, of Minnesota; Emma, who gave her hand in marriage to Julius Stoterau and likewise resides in Minnesota; and Ida, the wife of George Merchant, of Clay county, Iowa.

In the acquirement of an education Henry Miller, Jr., attended the district schools of Scott and Cedar counties and when his studies were completed he assisted his father in the work of the fields. On starting out as an agriculturist on his own account he rented one hundred and sixty acres of his present farm from his father and when the latter’s estate was settled he purchased the tract, at the same time also buying one hundred and twenty acres adjoining. His land holdings therefore embrace two hundred and eighty acres and in connection with the tilling of the soil he also handles stock, making a specialty of Aberdeen Angus cattle. The place presents a most neat and attractive appearance, bringing to the owner year after year rich harvests and a gratifying financial income.

On the 11th of March, 1885, in Scott county, Mr. Miller was united in marriage to Miss Annie Severin, a daughter of John and Catherine (Goblehy) Severin, early settlers of that county. Both are now deceased. Mr. and Mrs. Miller now have four children, as follows: Albert T., who was born on the 26th of January, 1886; Harry J., whose natal day was December 18, 1890; Dorothy J., whose birth occurred on the 30th of January, 1893; and Sophia, who was born December 9, 1894.

Mr. Miller casts an independent ballot at local elections but supports the democracy where national questions and issues are involved. He served as secretary of the school board for seventeen years and proved an able incumbent in that position. His fraternal relations are with the Knights of Pythias at Sunbury, while his religious faith is indicated by his membership in the German Lutheran church, with which his wife and children are also identified. He has spent practically his entire life in this part of the state and enjoys an extensive and favorable acquaintance here.