Henry Miller

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Henry Miller, who has departed this life but is yet remembered by the citizens of Albia as a man of genuine worth, was born in Union county, Indiana, September 22, 1828. His father, Daniel Miller, was on of the substantial and prominent men of that county. He was also a minister of the German Baptist church, and did much good work for the cause of Christianity during the years of his active pastoral labors. He resided in Indiana until the latter part of the fifties, when he came with his family to Iowa, settling in Monroe county.

Henry Miller, however, did not remove to this state until several years later, at which time he also became a resident of Monroe county. He had been reared in Indiana, obtaining a common school education there, and on October 31, 1850, he was united in marriage to Miss Susannah Kingery, a native of Union county, that state, born July 18, 1828. She was the youngest of five children, and when but seven years of age was left an orphan. By her marriage she became the mother of the following named: Riley, Monroe, Willie and Anna, all deceased; Maria, Emma and Frances, who are living. Of the surviving members of the family Maria is the only one unmarried, and she makes her home with her mother.

At the time of the Civil war Henry Miller’s sympathies were enlisted with the Union cause, and with interest he watched the progress of hostilities. In 1864, at what was probably the darkest period of our country’s history, he felt that his first duty was to the government, and he offered his services to the country, remaining at the front until the close of the war, when he was mustered out. Meritorious conduct upon the field of battle had won him promotion to the rank of lieutenant, and he returned home with a most creditable military record.

After the war he joined the Grand Army of the Republic and thus maintained pleasant relations with his old army comrades, with whom he delighted to meet and rehearse the experiences and stories of camp life. He was also at one time a member of the Masonic fraternity and of the Odd Fellow society, but demitted from both organizations prior to his death.

In early life Mr. Miller gave his time and attention to farm work which he carried on until he had acquired a good competency. He then abandoned the plow in order to become a factor in commercial circles, investing his money in mercantile enterprises. Still later he engaged in the stock business and in the closing years of his life was a coal operator. Whatever he undertook he carried forward to successful completion, for he was a man of strong purpose and determined will, and, moreover, his business methods were honorable and straight-forward. He passed away February 19, 1890, respected by all who knew him, and in Albia, where he made his home for many years, there are many friends who still mourn his loss. His widow and daughter Maria are yet residents of this city and are widely and favorably known.