Aaron MILLER, a retired nurseryman of Milton, Umatilla county [Oregon], was born in Baltimore county, Maryland, on the 7th of December, 1829, a son of Michael and Anna Mariah (HENRY) MILLER. Both parents were born in Baltimore county, Maryland, and there were united in marriage. In 1829 they removed to Richland county, Ohio, where the father took up government land, later selling it and renting. In 1840 Mr. and Mrs. MILLER removed to Perry county, Illinois taking along their little family. Michael MILLER followed farming there for two years, at the termination of which time he removed to Van Buren county, Iowa, farmed there for two years and then took up forty acres of land which he improved and on which he resided for ten years. On this home place the death of Mrs. MILLER occurred.

When eleven years of age Aaron MILLER, whose name initiates this review, removed with his parents to Perry county, Illinois, where he completed his education. In 1849 Aaron MILLER and his brother Joshua crossed the plains in ox-drawn wagons, making their way to California in search of gold. They located at, Diamond Spring, California, where they followed mining throughout the winter and the following spring set out for Rich Gulch. They met with a heavy snowstorm between Bidwells Gulch and Rich Gulch and were some time in reaching their destination. In 1852, Mr. MILLER with others, started in the sawmilling business on Little Butte creek, California, twenty miles easst of Chico and for two years he successfully conducted the business, during which time he received a bad injury. Mr. MILLER again resumed mining and after two years returned to his old home in Iowa.

In the spring of 1859 he went to Clark county, Missouri, and bought eighty acres of land, which he improved and operated for about two years, and during that time he was married. In 1860 he traded his eighty acres of land for four hundred acres in Ringgold county, Iowa. The land at the time the trade was put through was worth easily five dollars an acre, but later it fell in price, a piece of misfortune that financially crippled Mr. MILLER. He was, however, of a courageous and determined nature and did not for an instant allow this disaster to affect his life.

He removed to Monroe county, Iowa, where his brother Daniel was engaged in farming and he worked for him as a farm hand, also renting land near Eddyville, Iowa.

In 1864 he determined to go west and started overland for California. For two years he successfully operated land in Stockton, California, and later for three years in Sonoma county. In 1871 he moved onto land near Walla Walla, Washington and after one year spent there took up his present farm of two hundred and forty acres, near Milton. He first built a log house and later erected a fine large home. He brought the land to a high state of cultivation and in 1873 started in the nursery business on a small scale. The success of this venture seemed assured from the start and it increased rapidly from year to year.

In 1893, the oldest son of Mr. MILLER, Samuel A., took over the work and enlarged the plant. Soon afterward his two brothers, G. W. and C. Bert, became interested in the business and today they have one hundred and ninety acres devoted to this interest. The nursery buildings are spacious and of fine architecture and the sons are possessors of attractive homes in the vicinity. after turning the business over to his oldest son Mr. MILLER retired from active business life, a representative and influential citizen.

On the 12th of December, 1858, Mr. MILLER was united in marriage to Miss Sarah BRADFIELD, a daughter of George and Rachael (RIGGS) BRADFIELD, and a native of Clark county, Missouri. Her father was engaged in wagon-making for a number of years and in later life became a successful farmer. Six children were born to the union of Mr. and Mrs. MILLER: Mrs L. M. ROUP, Samuel, Sophia, G. W., F. R. and Bert.

Throughout his life Mr. MILLER has been a stanch member of the republican party, having firm belief in the principles of that party as factors in good government. His religiious faith is that of the Adventist church. Mr. MILLER maintains an active interest in public and civic affairs and every movement for the betterment of the community may count on his undivided support.

October, 1948

A posthumous award for the late Aaron MILLER, founder of the Milton Nursery Co., was presented last Thursday evening to Bert and George MILLER, sons of the pioneer nurseryman, by Mrs. Ralph FOWLER, Pendleton, state president of the Oregon Federation of Garden Clubs. The award was made at the dinner and antique show sponsored at the Community Building by the local Garden Club.

The federation annually makes a posthumous award honoring pioneers who did outstanding work in horticulture. The citation read by Mrs. FOWLER told of many of the highlights of Aaron MILLER. The presentation came on the company's 70th anniversary. Bert and George MILLER, incidentally, still carry on the business founded by their father, and it has grown until its products are distributed over the entire nation.

NOTE: Aaron MILLER died on June 27, 1925, Milton, Umatilla County, Oregon.

Milton Eagle
Milton, Umatilla County, Oregon
1937

Mrs. Aaron MILLER, today is celebrating her 94th birthday at her home near Milton. That in itself is worthy of distinction. But another claim to distinction is Mrs. MILLER's. She has lived in the same home for 66 years and has seen her husband's business grow from a small beginning to one of the outstanding industries of the valley.

On December 12th, 1858 [Clark, Missouri] Miss Samaria BRADFIELD was married to Aaron MILLER who had recently returned from California where he had gone during the gold rush of 1849. Four years later, with their little daughter, the couple started west with Mr. MILLER acting as captain of a wagon train of seven wagons. Though possessing a real pioneer spirit of courage and endurance Mrs. MILLER was never quite able to overcome the terror of Indians. The party arrived in California after four weary months of travel and settled about ten miles from Stockton. In 1872 they started out again by wagon for Oregon, arriving on Russel creek at the end of am eight-week's journey. One year later they moved to Milton where they took up a homestead. They built a little log cabin which served as their home for eight years. A loft provided sleeping rooms for the children.

In 1880 a new home was erected on the site of the little cabin and in 1903 it was enlarged. This has been Mrs. MILLER's home ever since. Mr. MILLER established the Milton Nursery, starting with 160 acres. The company now has 325 acres under cultivation and car-loads of trees and shrubs are shipped to wholesale markets throughout the country every year.

When the MILLERS first came to Milton it was composed of a blacksmith shop, a stage station and several houses.

Six children were born to the couple, Mrs. M. L. [Mary Louisa (1860-1946)] RAUP, who now makes her home with her mother since the death of her husband; Sam [Samuel Aaron (1866-1932)], Sophia {(1869-1917)], Fanny [Frances R. (ca. 1877-1882)], George [Washington (1874-1964)], and [Charles] Bert [(1886-1979)]. George and Bert have succeeded their father in the operation of the nursery. Mr. Aaron MILLER passed away in 1925. Sam, Sophia and Fanny have also passed on.

Mrs. MILLER has two relics which she prizes above all other. One is a flat iron which she smuggled across the plains in spite of the dictates of the men of the party who insisted in barring all non-essentials. The other is a hand-turned rolling pin of black walnut which her husband made for her. At one time during the trip west the precious rolling pin was left behind and Mrs. MILLER held up the entire party while her husband rode back five miles to recover it.

Mrs. MILLER is a member of the Adventist church and her unfaltering loyalty has been given to her religious faith. The family have always been active in church and community affairs, and they have given unsparingly of both time and effort in making the community a better place in which to live.

The Milton Eagle extends its heartiest congratulations to Mrs. MILLER on this occasion and sincerely hopes that many more years of happiness and health will be hers.

Milton Eagle
Milton, Umatilla County, Oregon
July, 1942

Mrs. Samaria MILLER, a resident of Milton for seventy years, passed away at her home, Tuesday, June 30, 1942, at the age of ninety-eight years.

Mrs. MILLER was born in Lauray, Park County, Missouri, December 30, 1843. She was married at an early age to Aaron MILLER, pioneer nurseryman of Milton-Freewater. Mr. MILLER died in 1925 at the age of 95 years.

Mr. And Mrs. MILLER came west by wagon train in 1863. Mr. MILLER, who had come to California from Maryland in the '49 gold rush age before settling in Missouri, was made captain of the covered wagon caravan in which the family traveled. The first six years of the MILLERS' westert life was spent on a farm near Stockton, California. In 1872 they came to Oregon and filed on a homestead, the site of which is now the present location of the family home and the Milton Nursery.

Mr. MILLER launched the career of the Milton Nursery company in 1878 - a company which bears the distinction of being the largest and one of the oldest nurseries operating in the Pacific northwest. Well deserving of the honor, the company through the able management of the sons of Mr. And Mrs. MILLER and C. D. HOBBS, associate, has perpetuated the honest principles and practices inaugurated by its founder.

To Mr. And Mrs. Aaron MILLER were born six children, three of whom survive. Mrs. Louisa RAUP, who has made her home with her mother during her last years; George MILLER and Bert MILLER, sons who have managed the nursery since the death of their father. Sam MILLER, the eldest son, died in 1932 and two daughters, Sophia and Fanny, also preceded the mother in death.

Mrs. MILLER was a staunch Christian and a lifelong member of the Seventh Day Adventist church. Funeral arrangements await the arrival of Bert MILLER, now in the east on a business trip.

NOTE: Aaron and Samaria (BRADFIELD) MILLER were interred at I.O.O.F. Cemetery, Umatilla County, Oregon.

Walla Walla Union Bulletin
Walla Walla, Walla Walla County, Washington
February 18, 1968

MILTON-FREEWATER (Special) -- Sale of the Milton Nursery Company, oldest establishment of its kind in the Northwest, was announced last fall by the firm's president and general manager, C. Bert MILLER.

Sale was effective Nov 1, 1967. New owner is J. Frank SCHMIDT and Son Co. of Troutdale, Oregon. J. Frank SCHMIDT Jr. is president of the Troutdale firm.

The Milton Nursery Company has been entirely owned and operated within the MILLER family throughout its 90 years of existence. It was established in 1878 by Aaron MILLER, father of C. Bert MILLER. It employs 40 year-round employes, some of whom have been with the firm for more than 45 years. During its harvest season it employs about 100 people.

Aaron MILLER homesteaded in 1872 on the Walla Walla River adjacent to the present location of the Milton Nursery's headquarters buildings. The original homestead and some adjacent property is included in the 300 acres that is under cultivation.

Aaron MILLER began his nursery with fruit trees and small fruits. A major part of the Milton Nursery's current operation is the growing of shade and flowering trees and shrubs. The business was started on a retail basis but is now almost exclusively wholesale. Ninety per cent of the firm's business is done east of the Rocky Mountains and some in Canada. Of the latter, both eastern and western provinces are supplied. Most of the shipment of the shipments are made during the first three months of the year, primarily by rail and some by motor freight.

A. MILLER and Son was the original name of the organization, the son being the late Samuel MILLER, and oldest son. In 1908 it was incorporated under its present name with Aaron MILLER and his three sons, Samuel, George and C. Bert MILLER as incorporators. The latter is the only survivor.

The stockholders at the time of the sale besides C. Bert MILLER where Evert S. MILLER, vice president; Alene SHANKEL, a director, son and daughter of the late Samuel A. MILLER; Celian E. ANDROSS and Ellsworth M. ANDROSS, who are grandsons of Aaron MILLER, the founder.

The Milton Nursery Company has a branch at Puyallup, Wash where it produces ornamental and fruit tree seedlings which are sold to nurseries throughout the United States. The Puyallup branch operates on 100 acres of land. It is also included in the sale.

Milton Nursery Company is the oldest continuously operate business in the Milton-Freewater area.

Transcription by Sharon R. Becker, April of 2009