For
Muscatine County Iowa
1911
| Biographies For Muscatine County Iowa 1911 | |
Source: History of Muscatine County Iowa, Volume II, Biographical, 1911, page 410
CHARLES H. MILLER....Although Charles H. Miller has been identified with the business interests of Moscow for but a few years, he is well known in Muscatine county, where for a number of years he has followed agricultural pursuits. He is now engaged in selling cream separators and gas engines and also ship's cream. Mr. Miller is a native of Moscow township, born December 8, 1864, and is a son of Frederick J. and Elizabeth ( Foehauer ) Miller. The family came originally from Germany, where both the father and grandfather were born. The latter, Frederick Miller, Sr., emigrated to the United States with his family in 1844, in which year he located in Moscow township, Muscatine county, so that the family is an old and prominent one in this section of Iowa. He followed farming throughout his residence in Muscatine county and passed away here in 1865. He was a democrat in his political views and affiliations and was numbered among the progressive and successful farmers of the community. His son, Frederick J. Miller, who became the father of our subject, was born in the fatherland in 1834 and was therefore but ten years old when brought to the new world. He was reared to general agricultural pursuits and made farming his life work. After reaching man's estate he was married and started out to make his own way in the world. His first marriage was with Miss Martha Elizabeth Foehauer, who was likewise born in Germany. She became the mother of seven children, but three of the number have departed this life, while four still survive. Regina is the wife of J. C. Kemper, residing near Fairport, Iowa. Frederick E., the next in order of birth, was born January 17, 1862, and was educated in the common schools. He remained under the parental roof until twenty-nine years of age, after which he began farming on his own account and now owns a tract of two hundred and three acres in Muscatine county. He has made good improvements on the place and is engaged in general farming and stock-raising. He was married in 1891 to Miss Ida May Funk, of Sweetland township, and they have had five chldren : Jo May, Frederick, Ina Ellen, Frederick Charles and Fern Anna, but the last named is deceased. In his political views Frederick Miller is a democrat and both he and his wife belong to the Methodist Episcopal church, in which he is serving as a steward. Charles H. Miller whose name introduces this record, is the next of the family. Anna, the youngest, is the wife of C. Desmond, a resident of Davenport, Iowa. The father was married a second time , this union being with Anna Schumberg, and unto them were born six children : Emma, the wife of Adam Otto, of Davenport, Iowa ; Edward E., a resident of Moscow township ; Bertha, the wife of Otto Krueger of Muscatine ; Lillie, Edna and Cora, all at home. The father was called to his final rest on the 22d of May, 1901, and thus the county lost one of its old and honored citizens, whose labors had been a factor in the early developement and improvement of this section of the state.Charles H. Miller was a little lad of nine years at the time of his mother's death, after which he remained with his father on the home farm. He pursued his education in the common schools and continued to work with his father until he had attained the age of twenty-seven. At that period in his life he began business on his own account, choosing as his occupation the work to which he has been reared. For fourteen years he was engaged in farming in Moscow township, and although he met with substantial success, he eventually decided to abandon agriculture, and accordingly took up his abode in the village of Moscow, where he has made his home for six years. He is now engaged in selling cream separators, gas engines and also ships cream to the city markets, the various branches of his business bringing him a gratifying annual income. He also owns a good farm of one hundred and sixty acres, located on sections 16 and 17, Moscow township, and from this he derives a good rental. He occupies a nice hime in the village, which he owns, and on his property he has erected a good and substantial barn.
In 1890 occurred the marriage of Mr. Miller and Miss Agnes Elizabeth Marticke, who was born in Moscow township, a daughter of Edward and Minnie ( Schultz ) Marticke. The father was born in Germany, whence he emigrated to the United States in the early '40s.
Politically Mr. Miller is in sympathy with the democratic party, in his public life evincing fidelity to its principles, and he does all within his power to advance the best interests of his constituents. He served on the township board for six years ; is also a member of the school board, and is now township clerk. He is a devout Methodist, and since 1896 has served as a steward in the church, while for ten years he was a trustee, and is now secretary of the board of trustees. He is also active in the work of the Sunday school, having for the past nine years filled the office of superintendent, while at various times prior to that he has filled the same office. His wife is likewise active in the various departments of church and Sunday school work and for the past twelve years has served as secretary of the school and she is also filling the same office in the Ladie's Aid Society. Mr. Miller is a prominent Mason, holding membership with Wilton Lodge, No. 167, in which he has served through part of the chairs. Realizing the fact that zeal and energy constitute the basis of success, he has pursued his work diligently, and this combined with honorable business methods has gained him a place among the highly respected and substantial citizens of Muscatine county.
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