MIller, Godfrey (1848-1926)

CHAPUIS, MILLER, SHEPHERD, TRUMBILL

Posted By: Jan Paulsen (email)
Date: 1/14/2011 at 22:39:10

Anita Tribune
Anita, Iowa
April 1, 1926
page 1

Obituary

Godfrey Miller, a son of Henry and Barbara Miller, was born at Canton Zurich, Switzerland, on January 4th, 1848, and passed away at the home of his daughter, Mrs. L. B. Trumbull, in Anita, on March 24th, 1926; aged 78 years, 2 months and 20 days.

When a young boy Mr. Miller left his native country and came to the United States, living first at Winnetka, Illinois, leaving there in a short time and coming to Anita. For the past sixty years, Mr. Miller had lived in Anita, with the exception of four years, one year of which was spent at Minden, two years at Des Moines, and the other year at Altoona.

On June 8th, 1875, at Des Moines, Mr. Miller was united in marriage to Miss Sophie Chapuis, whom he met in Switzerland. Three daughters were born to them, Louise, Margaret and Anita, Louise and Anita passing away as babies. Mrs. Miller passed away on the 12th of November, 1919, and since her death, Mr. Miller had made his home with his daughter, Mrs. Trumbull.

During his long residence in Anita he served the community in many official capacities. He was assessor of Anita for sixteen years, and was also town clerk for several years. He was a very capable official, and made many friends during his tenure in office.

Mr. Miller’s illness, from which he passed away, started several months ago. For awhile he seemed to be regaining his former strength, and on several occcasions, came down town but his condition and age was such that he could not stand the ravages of disease, and passed away very suddenly when he suffered a pulmonary hemorrhage.

Mr. Miller was one of the best liked and most respected citizens that ever lived in Anita. Everyone was able to call him his friend. He was a good neighbor, a true friend and christian, and will be greatly missed by the people of this community where he spent so many years of his life.

Besides his daughter, he is survived by two granddaughters, Mrs. Helen Shepherd of Greenfield, Iowa and Miss Louise Trumbull of Anita, also a sister-in-law and two nieces in Switzerland.

Funeral services were held at the Congregational Church on Friday afternoon at 1:00 o’clock and were conducted by Rev. H. J. Wilkins of Mt. Pleasant Grove, Iowa, a former pastor of the local church, who was assisted by the Rev. Robert N. Chord. Music for the services was furnished by a quartet composed of the Bell brothers and sisters from near Wiota, whose parents and Mr. and Mrs. Miller had been life long friends. Interment was made in beautiful Evergreen Cemetery.