Biography of AUGUST MILHAM

AUGUST MILHAM , who successfully followed farming on section 29, Afton township, Howard county, was born in Germany in 1843 and came to the United States when a young man of twenty-four years. He made the trip alone after bidding adieu to friends and native country, thinking that he would have better opportunities on this side of the Atlantic, nor did he ever regret his determination to come to the United States. He made his way first to Illinois, where he remained for two years, during which time he was engaged in hauling milk.  On the expiration of that period he removed to Howard county, Iowa and purchased a farm in Afton township, which he conducted for two years. He then sold that property and later was employed as a farm hand in Afton township for a time.

In 1876, Mr. Milham was united in marriage to Miss Amelia Arndt, a daughter of Fred Arndt, and they began their domestic life upon a rented farm. Mr. Milham continued to rent land for twenty years after his marriage and then purchased the present home farm, upon which he resided to the time of his death, which occurred on the 8th of December, 1916.  He was an active and energetic farmer, who carefully tilled the soil and brought his fields under a high state of cultivation, putting forth every effort to provide a comfortable living for his family.

To Mr. and Mrs. Milham were born thirteen children, namely: Mrs. Augusta Brown; Mrs. Carrie Patri; Mrs. Minnie Weipert; Amelia M., deceased; Mrs. Annie Klein; John; Benjamin and Joseph, twins, deceased; Frederick, also deceased; August; Leo, who was with the Eighty-first Machine Bun Battalion and went overseas during the world war, seeing much active service, but has since been honorably discharged and is now home on the farm with his mother; Mrs. Noretta Bohardt; and Arthur, who was with the Headquarters Company, Eighty-eighth Infanty, stationed at Camp Dodge for about six months, and is now on the home farm.

Mrs. Milham still resides upon the home farm.  Mr. Milham was a member of the German Lutheran church, of which his family are also adherents, and his political endorsement was given to the democratic party.  He was a man who stood loyally in defense of whatever he believed to be right or for the benefit of the community at large and his sterling worth was recognized by all with whom he came in contact.

History of Chickasaw and Howard Counties,
By Robert Herd Fairbairn (Published 1919 - Volume II)
S. J. Clarke Publishing Company, Chicago, Illinois
Transcribed by Larry Shoger