William J. Miller
Born: April 29, 1858, Sherman Twp, Jasper Co., Iowa
Died: December 26, 1924, Jasper Co., Iowa
Buried: Lot 55, plot 3
Married: Emma Arabella Leeper on Feb 26, 1878 in Jasper Co., Iowa
Children: Jennie P. (Traxler), Ralph Leroy, Edith M. (Pink), Florence A., William Floyd, John Irwin.
Married: Lula Belle Barnes on March 13, 1913
Parents: John and Lucertia Jane (Cannon) Miller
W. J. Miller dies at 1:45 o'clock.
No funeral arrangements have yet been announced.
Been ill for a long time.
William J. Miller, who has been critically ill for the past several weeks, died this afternoon at 1:45 o'clock. Mr. Miller was one of the leading farmers of Jasper county, who was at one time the owner of a model farmstead in Mound Prairie and Newton townships.
Mr. Miller grew up in Sherman township and remained at home until his marriage to Emma A. Leeper. Mr. Miller's farms were always in an excellent state of cultivation and modern improvements were to be found on the entire farm. He was a raiser of Aberdeen Angus cattle for ????? and always kept from 75 to 150 for stock cattle and breeding. It has been said of him that he fed and bred more Angus steers than any other Angus breeder in America. He also raised Percheron horses of an excellent grade.
Besides being interested in farming, he was a member of the county board of commissioners for several terms. Mr. Millers death took place at his home on Second Street Northwest, where he and his wife have lived for a number of years. No funeral arrangements have been announced. ~ Newton Daily News, December 26, 1923
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Funeral For W. J. Miller
Services Held Yesterday Afternoon
Burial Made In Sugar Grove Cemetery
Funeral services were held yesterday at 1:30 at the Congregational church for William J. Miller. Dr. G. C. Williams, pastor of the church being the officiating minister. Burial was made in the Sugar Grove cemetery.
Fred Hough and Richard Toedt, accompanied on the organ by Robert McGregor, sang.
The pallbearers were: J. W. McLaughlin, E. E. Duer, James Callison, Charles Leeper, William W. Smith and William Crawford.
William J. Miller was born April 29th 1858 and died December 26, 1923, aged 65 years, seven months and 28 days. His parents were pioneers of Jasper county, removing here in 1858. Mr. Miller spent his whole life in the community in which his parents came.
He was married February 28th, 1878 to Emma Leeper, who died April 23rd, 1907. Of the children born to this marriage three have passed away, Mrs. Jennie Traxler who passed away July 1914 leaving five children, Floyd who died May 12, 1922 and a daughter who died in infancy. He is survived by four children, Ralph LeRoy Miller, John I. Miller, Mrs. Edith Pink and Miss Florence Miller, all of whom are residents of Jasper county, also one sister, Mrs. Nancy Henney.
Ten grandchildren are living, Mabel and Una, daughters of Ralph Miller, Clarence, Logan and Charles Pink, who reside in Jasper county, Estella, Victor, Esther, Edith and Elsie Traxler, all of whom reside in Kansas.
On March 13, 1913 he was married to Miss Lulu B. Barnes, who survives him and was the constant and helpful attendant during his long sickness.
Mr. Miller has resided in Jasper county all his life and has been universally esteemed and respected. He was quiet in his manner, but a careful and well versed breeder of Aberdeen Angus cattle. His advice and help were continually sought, not only by his immediate neighbors but by cattle breeders all over the state. He has filled the position of president of the Aberdeen Angus association.
Mr. Miller was well known, and during his whole life was known as being the soul of honor. During the last few years he and Mrs. Miller have lived here in comparative retirement, but have made many friends during their residence in the city. ~ Jasper County Record, January 3, 1924, page 4, column 4.
Emma Arabella (Leeper) Miller
Born: April 14, 1857, Ohio
Died: April 23, 1907, near Metz, Jasper Co., Iowa
Buried: Lot 55, plot 2
Married: William J. Miller,on Feb 26, 1878 near Metz, Jasper Co., Iowa
Children: Jennie P. (Traxler), Ralph Leroy, Edith M. (Pink), Florence A., William Floyd, John Irwin.
Parents: John and Jeannet (McCartney) Leeper
Emma Arabella Miller
Hundreds of friends attended the funeral of Mrs. W. J. Miller, which was held at the home southwest of this city yesterday afternoon at 2 o'clock. Rev. Gillis of the United Presbyterian Church officiated. The music was furnished by Miss Vieth, Miss Blanche Warner, Rev. Gillis and Don Miles, and Mrs. Sayer Miles was the accompanist. The bearers were Messrs Louie Aillaud, T. Robinson, Alfred Phelps, Curtis Moffitt, William Sims and Charles Emmack.
Many and beautiful were the flowers contributed by friends and loved ones, and it was one of the largest funerals ever held in this vicinity. The interment was in the Metz Cemetery.
Emma Arabella Leeper was the eldest daughter of Mr. and Mrs. John Leaper, both of whom have passes away. She was born April 14, 1857, and come with her parents to Kellogg, Iowa, in the fall of 1866. The next year the family removed to the farm west of Newton. February 26, 1878, she was united in marriage to William J. Miller. To this union were born seven children. One daughter died in infancy. The living children are Mrs. Jennie P. Traxler, of Waterville, Kansas; Ralph L. Leeper, who is married and resides on a farm about two miles from the father's home; John T, Edith, Florence A., and William F., who are still in the home.
Besides the husband and children, Mrs. Miller is survived by three brothers and two sisters: W. J., Albert G., Charles C., and Miss Jennie Leeper, who reside near this city, and Mrs. Elizabeth Stokes, of Kennewick, Wash. One brother, Joseph W. Leeper, died in Omaha and was brought here for burial two months ago.
Mrs. Miller had never united with any church, but she always adhered to the views of her parents, who were of the United Presbyterian faith, and was a contributor to the support of church work.
She was stricken shortly after retiring, seemingly in good health, on Tuesday night, April 23, 1907, and within a half hour after her condition was discovered she passed away. All assistance that was possible to give in this time was bestowed by her loved ones, but without avail.
She was a kind, true wife and mother. Her heart was in her home and she was ever trying to administer to the wants of those dearest to her.
All respected and loved her, and the greatest compassion is felt by all for the members of this home, who now sorrow because of the sudden taking away of the one who filled the largest and dearest place there. ~ The Newton Daily News, Saturday, April 27, 1907, Page 1, Column 3
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A Wife And Mother Taken - Mrs. W. J. Miller
All who knew her, were shocked when the news was received last Wednesday morning that, Mrs. Miller, wife of W. J. Miller of near Metz, was dead. She had been in her usual health all day attending to her household duties, had eaten supper with her family, and gone to bed. A little later Mr. Miller was awakened and found her struggling for breath, and she died between ten and eleven o'clock, heart trouble being the cause.
The shock to the family can be well imagined. She had been a true mother to her children, the active and enduring helpmeet of her husband, the loving and ever firm friend to all who knew her.
Her sudden taking-off was not unlike the instant collapse of a building that had heretofore been deemed strong and substantial leaving those who had inhabited it shocked and . Only those who have been similarly afflicted can imagine the great suffering of her immediate family.
Emma Arabella Leeper was the eldest daughter of Mr. and Mrs. John Leeper, both of whom have passed away. She was born April 14 1857, and came with her parents to Kellogg, Iowa in the fall of 1866.
The next year the family removed to the farm west of Newton. February 26, 1878 she was united in marriage to William Miller. To this union were born 7 children. One daughter died in infancy. The living children are: Mrs. Jennie, P. Traxler of Waterville, Kan., Ralph L. Miller, who is married and resides on a farm about two miles north of the father's home, John I, Edith, Florence A. and William F., who are living in the home.
Besides the husband and children, Mrs. Miller is survived by three brothers and two sisters: W. J., Albert G., Charles C., and Miss Jennie Leeper, who reside near this city, and Mrs. Elizabeth Stokes, of Kennewick, Wash. One brother Joseph W. Leeper, died in Omaha and was brought here for burial two months ago.
The funeral was held at the home at 2:00 p.m. last Saturday, and was one of the largest in attendance ever held in the vicinity, Rev. Gillis of Newton U. P. church, officiating. The floral offerings were abundant and very beautiful, completely covering the casket. The interment was made in Metz cemetery. The sincere sympathy of the many friends are extended to the family and friends of the deceased in the sore affliction. ~ Unknown paper, possibly Colfax, 1907