In 1873 Mr. Miller was united in marriage to Miss Belle M. Bisbee, who was born in Chenango, New York, June 9, 1855, and there resided until 1867, when she came to Story county, Iowa, with her parents, Bolivar and Martha Malina (Herrick) Bisbee, both of whom were natives of New York, the former born September 5, 1826, and the latter about 1828. The mother died when her daughter Mrs. Miller was but seven years of age and the father afterward married again. On coming with his family to Iowa he settled in Bloomington, Franklin township, and his remaining days were spent in this county, his death occurring in December, 1895. He had four children by his first wife and three by his second wife. Unto Thomas J. and Belle Miller there have been born five children: Della Marian, the wife of F. M. Dawson, of Story City; George Atherton, living in Ames; Lena Belle and Harry Claude, who died in infancy; and Lizzie Azalia, who died at the age of five years.
Throughout his entire life Mr. Miller has given his political support to the republican party and has served in some local offices, acting as township trustee of Franklin township, also as a member of the school board. Fraternally he is connected with Ellsworth Post, No. 30, G. A. R., and with Ames Lodge, I. O. O. F. He likewise belongs to the Methodist Episcopal church and in these relations are found the guiding principles of his life, making him a man whom to know is to esteem and honor. He has ever been loyal to the trust reposed in him, faithful in his obligations of citizenship and straightforward in all business dealings, and because of these qualities the years have brought him the warm regard of those with whom business or social relations have brought him in contact.
THOMAS P. CHILDS.
One of the extensive landowners of Grant township is Thomas P. Childs. He is a native of the Empire state, having been born in Philadelphia, Jefferson county, New York, on the 7th of December, 1840. He is of Quaker extraction and is the son of Aaron and Mary (Hicks) Childs. The father was a native of Pennsylvania and the mother of New York. They were the parents of nine children, all but two of whom have now passed away, those living being: Henry, a resident of Clinton, Iowa, and Thomas P., our subject.
It was in the district and common schools of Jefferson county, New York, that Thomas P. Childs acquired his early education. He remained a member of his father's household until he had attained the age of twenty-three years, having occupied the greater part of that time in the acquirement of an education and fitting himself for his life's work, which he early decided would be along agricultural lines. In 1863 he turned his face westward, feeling that better opportunities were afforded a young man of lim-