Wireman Miller, Cherokee's Voice in the Legislature of 1896
The
legislative battle in 1896 in which Cherokee was chosen as the site for
the State Hospital was hot and heavy. Another article in this special
issue has described this part of the history of the Cherokee State
Hospital. Wireman Miller was mentioned as being instrumental in the
political struggle in the General Assembly.
Who was this dirt farmer from Cherokee County who represented her interests so well at the State Capital?
Wireman
Miller was one of the Pioneers of Cherokee County. He was the second
actual settler in Amherst township of this county. In 1869 he filed
homestead papers on an 80 acre tract on the E 1/2 of SW 1/4 of Section
28, Amherst Township, Cherokee County, Iowa. In 1870 he moved to the
homestead with his family, building a house of cottonwood boards to
shelter them.
Wireman was born in Bedford county, Pennsylvania
on April 20, 1845 one of ten children born to Martin G. and Elizabeth
(Rider) Miller. The family moved to Cedar County, Iowa in 1852.
He
and three brothers served in the Civil War. Of the four brothers one
was wounded and one was killed. Wireman served one year in the Army and
was in Sherman's March from Atlanta to the sea.
After the close
of the war he returned to Cedar County, Iowa. On Sep. 6, 1866 he
married Maggie Ledman. Six children were born to this union all but one
in Cherokee County.Henry L. was born January 23, 1868 in Cedar County
and died on July 7, 1889 at 21 years of age. Arthur J. was born
in October 1873 and died January 23, 1877 being three years old. Louis
M. was born in 1875, Florence in 1884. The Fates were not kind to the
Millers. Their oldest son died at 21; their second son at 3; the first
girl child lived but two years. Of the six children only three lived
past 21 years of age.
The Hon. Wireman Miller, State
Representative from Cherokee County served four two year terms in the
Iowa General Assembly. Probably his greatest political triumph was the
successful campaign to secure the state hospital for Cherokee.
His
legislative experience was not his only political experience. He was
the first assessor of Amherst township. He served as the Amherst
township Clerk; was President of the School Board for 8 years, and
served as township treasurer for 8 years. This is certainly a long and
honorable record of public service. In addition he was steward of the
Simpson Bethel Episcopal Methodist Church.
This war veteran and
homesteader was fifty one years old when he led the fight for Cherokee
in the legislature. His life had been tempered by war, pioneer
hardships, joy, sorrow, and service to his community.
On May 5,
1917 Wireman Miller, of Marcus, Iowa passed away just fifteen days
after his 72nd birthday. One question remains, whence came his most
unusual given name?
(Source: Cherokee
County Historical Society Newsletter, Special August - September Issue, Vol. 12, No. 7, 1977, pg. 14) |
