Biographical & Genealogical History of Appanoose & Monroe Counties, Iowa

New York, Lewis Publishing Co. 1903

Amos F. Miller page 253

One of the most progressive and enterprising business men of Monroe county is Amos F. Miller, who is connected with one of the largest cheese factories in the county. By his progressive spirit and unflagging energy he has contributing in a large measure to the business activity of Bluff Creek township, and is regarded as a man of force and worth in the business world. Mr. Miller was born in Ripley county, Indiana, on the 28^th of January, 1855, and is a son of Henry and Mary R. ( Hiteman ) Miller. The father, who was of German origin, was a native of France, but when a mere boy he left his home across the sea and came to the United States. The year 1858 witnessed his arrival in the Hawkeye state, and a location was made near the vicinity of Hiteman in Monroe county, that village having been named in honor of an uncle of our subject. Both Mr. and Mrs. Miller died in Pottawattomie county, Iowa, the former at the age of seventy-nine years and the latter when fifty-nice years of age. They became the parents of twelve children, ten of whom are still living.

Amos F. Miller was early inured to the labors of the farm, and he continued to reside on the old home farm until the 11^th of March, 1881, when he was married to Martha E. Williams. She was born in Kansas, and by her marriage has become the mother of six children, one of whom died in infancy, and those living are: Amy, who became the wife of J.C. Moore; and Henry E., Charles M., Anna L., and Mildred E., at home. All are receiving excellent education privileges, and they will no doubt prove an honor to the honored family name. After his marriage Mr. Miller located on a farm near Avery, Monroe county, Iowa, where he conducted a cheese factory for one year, he having learned that business prior to his marriage. Removing thence to Lynnville, Iowa, he resumed the same occupation, and after residing there for a time located southeast of Albia.

Three years later he came to his present location, four miles northwest of that city, where he is now serving as the manager, treasurer and salesman of one of the largest cheese factories in the county. This concern has a capacity of seven thousand pounds of milk daily, and furnishes employment to many men. The plant is now equipped with modern machinery and all accessories for facilitating the work and rendering the product of value on the market by reason of its excellent quality.

Mr. Miller is also the owner of a valuable farm, and is one of the substantial business men of Monroe county. He was reared in the faith of the Republican party and was one of its supporters until the Prohibition agitation in Iowa, when he supported Grover Cleveland in his first race for the presidency, and continued to uphold Democratic principles until the nomination of William J. Bryan. Since that time he has exercised his right of franchise in support of the men and measures of the Republican party. For one term he served as assessor of his township, for many years was a member of the school board, and is now school secretary and township trustee, being incumbent of the latter position by appointment. The family attend the services of the Methodist Episcopal church.

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