Biographies
For
Muscatine County Iowa
1889



Source: Portrait and Biographical Album, Muscatine County, Iowa, 1889, page 301

BARNEY MILLER, a farmer residing on section 11, Bloomington Township, was born in Hanover, Germany, in 1842, and was the fifth in a family of six children born to Frederick and Sophia ( Raze ) Miller, who were also natives of Germany. Of their children five are yet living: Henry, a physician, residing in Muscatine; Frederick, who is married and resides in Moscow Township; Charles, a widower, residing with our subject; Christina, now Mrs. Kaufman, of Cedar County, Iowa; and Hannah, now Mrs. Gottbried, of Muscatine. The father was a mechanic, but also engaged in farming in his native land. In 1848 he crossed the broad Atlantic in a sailing-vessel, and for a short time remained in Texas, but thence removed to New Orleans, and in 1850 came to Muscatine County, Iowa. He took up his residence in Moscow Township, where he purchased a small farm of eighty acres, partly improved , and continued its cultivation until his death, which occurred in 1865 at the age of sixty-nine years. Mrs. Miller survived her husband for about ten years, dying in 1875, at the age of sixty-nine years.

When a lad of six years our subject came with his parents to this country. In early life he learned the mason's trade, which he followed for some time, and later engaged in plastering and bricklaying, which occupation he followed in the South for several years. He was married in the city of Muscatine, in October, 1863, becoming the husband of Carolina Rhoda, a native of Hanover , Germany, who came with her parents, Ernest and Caroline Rhoda, to this country in 1854. Her father was a mechanic, and first located in St. Louis, but later removed to Muscatine. After remaining for some time in that city he once more went to St. Louis, where his death occurred in 1887. His wife is still living and resides in St. Louis.

By the union of Mr. and Mrs. Miller nine children have been born, eight of whom are living: Matilda is now the wife of Mr. Hegermen, and is living in Muscatine. The other members of the family are Mary, Emma, Ella, Augusta, William, and Barney, all yet at home. Bertha died at the age of two months.

After his marriage Mr. Miller took up his residence in Bloomington Township, where he had previously purchased a small farm. He subsequently sold it, and in 1873 bought 320 acres of partially improved land, and immediately began its cultivation, aand now has one of the best farms in the community, upon which many improvements have been made. He has erected a good residence, built a large barn, and made other desirable changes. He gives some attention to the raising of stock, keeping on hand a good grade of Jersey and Short-horn cattle, and horses of the Norman breed.

Mr. Miller has held various offices of public trust in Bloomington Township, and has assisted in the organization of the school districts. He is practically a self-made man, having gained all that he now possesses by industry, frugality, and good management. In the work of cultivation and improvement, which has placed Muscatine County on a par with any in the State, he has always borne his part, and to any enterprise for the public welfare he has always given his earnest support. He and his wife are both members of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and are held in high regard, both as citizens and friends, throughout the community.


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