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         C. F. MILLER, proprietor of a restaurant and grocery of Letts, Iowa, was born in Tuscarawas County, Ohio, April 4, 1832, and is the second in a family of four children born to David and Mary (Negley) Miller, who were also natives of Ohio, in which State his father kept a hotel until his death, which occurred in 1846, while his mother died when he was about six years of age. A portion of his early life was spent upon a farm, and he received his education in the district schools. In 1854 he began the battle of life for himself, emigrating to Muscatine county, Iowa, where he engaged in general merchandising for two years at West Liberty, after which he served as Station Agent until the war. Going to Kansas, he enlisted in October, 1861, as a member of Company C, of the 3d Kansas Regiment, which consisted of infantry, cavalry and artillery, but which was disbanded about six months later and consolidated with the 4th Kansas Infantry, forming the 10th Kansas Infantry, under Col. Wier. Mr. Miller was assigned to Company A, doing duty most of the time on the border of Kansas and Missouri, receiving his discharge in 1862, at Sarcoxie, Mo. Returning to his home in West Liberty, he there resided until 1863, when he removed to Louisa County, where he was employed as Station Agent for about five years, and in 1868 again went to Kansas, there engaging in the mercantile business in Johnson County for a short time, but subsequently resided on a claim in Butler County. For about four years he made Kansas his home, and then returned to Louisa County in 1874, settling in the village of Letts, when he embarked in his present business in 1881. In connection with the restaurant and grocery he also has a newsstand, carrying the latest and best stock of literature. Politically, Mr. Miller is an advocate of the views of the Union Labor party. He has held various township offices, has served as a member of the School Board, and at the present time holds the position of Notary Public. Socially, he is a member of the G. A. R. Post, and also of the A. F. & A. M., Triangular Lodge No. 245, of which he is Secretary. A friend to education, he takes great interest in the welfare of the schools and also in other enterprises which are for the public good.

While residing in West Liberty, in 1855, Mr. Miller was united in marriage with Freelove Aylsworth, who was born in New York, and is a daughter of William N. and Lucy (Adams) Aylsworth, who were also natives of the Empire State, and who emigrated to Iowa in 1854, settling in Muscatine County. The father followed the occupation of farming until his death, which occurred in 1883. Her mother is still living and resides in Louisiana. Five children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Miller: Charles Sumner, who died in 1878, at the age of twenty-one years; Evie H. is at home; Nelson L. is married, and is employed in his father’s . . .

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. . . store; Willie died in 1866, when one year of age; George died in 1870, also one year old. The mother of these children was called to her final home in 1876, when residing in West Liberty.