John MILLER, farmer, section 11, Athens Township, was born in Stark County, Ohio, July 5, 1838. His parents were William and Mary (DOWNS) MILLER, the former a native of Pennsylvania and the latter of England. They were married in Stark County, and reared a family of three children - John, Catharine, and William. One son was a member of the Forty-eighth Ohio and was killed at Remington, Virginia.

When John was eight years of age his parents removed to Huntingdon County, Indiana, where he passed his youth, assisting on the farm and attending the common schools.

During the late [Civil] war he enlisted, October, 1861, in Company E, Fifty-sixth Illinois Engineer Corps, and was inthe service one year. He was honorably discharged in 1862, and returned to Putnam County.

In 1863 he was married to Mrs. Susan (MAYWOOD) HALE, and one year later removed to Coles County, Illinois, and in 1865 came to Ringgold County and settled upon his present farm, which was partially improved. Five or six acres had been broken and a plank cabin had been built. Here Mr. MILLER has since resided and continued to improve his farm. It contains 120 acres in a good state of cultivation, a comfortable house and out-buildings for stock. He also has one of the best orchards in Ringgold County. There are 1,000 trees of fifty different varieties. Mr. MILLER has spent a great deal of time and money upon his farm, and it shows the enterprise and thrift of its owner. He is a worthy and consistent member of the Christian church, and is classed among the best citizens of Athens Township. Politically he is a Republican. Postoffice, Kellerton.

NOTE: John and Susan MILLER were interred at Maple Row Cemetery, Kellerton, Ringgold County, Iowa. According to cemetery transcriptions, John served in Company C of the 56th Illinois Infantry.

SOURCES:
Biography & Historical Record of Ringgold County, Iowa, Pp. 296-97, 1887.

American Civil War Soldiers, ancestry.com

WPA Graves Survey

Transcription and note by Sharon R. Becker, January of 2009

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