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Jasper County, Iowa
Historical and Genealogical Data Exchange
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John
Miller John Miller a
well-known and representative pioneer settler of Mound Prairie Township, Jasper
County, now living on section 2, is a native of the Empire State. He
was born in Fulton County, NY, December 29, 1833, and his parents, John and
Maria (De Graugh) Miller, were also born in that state.
The father served as a soldier in the War of 1812. When the subject of
this sketch was a lad of twelve years, his parents immigrated westward to
Kendall County, IL, where he made his home for nine years. During
that time his father died. His
education was acquired in the public schools of New York and Illinois, and also
in the subscription schools of the former state, but though his privileges in
that direction were not of the best, he has been a great reader and has thereby
become well-informed man. Mr.
Miller is numbered among the pioneer settlers of Jasper County, for be here
located in 1853, taking up his residence in what is now Mound Prairie Township.
After a time he removed to his present farm on section 2.
It was all wild land, not a furrow having been turned or an improvement
made thereon. He became familiar with all the duties, experiences and hardships
of pioneer life. In an early day be broke prairie with three or four yoke of
oxen, and has performed all the arduous tasks of developing new land.
He has seen the county transformed from a wild and unsettled region into
one of rich fertility, and has ever borne his part in the work of public
improvement and advancement. May
21, 1854, Mr. Miller was united in marriage with Miss Jane, daughter of John
Cannon, one of the early settlers of Jasper County. They had
a family of eight children, but only three are now living, namely: John W.,
Nancy and Lemuel J. Their home is on a good farm of three hundred and twenty
acres, which yields to the owner a good income in return for the care and
cultivation he has bestowed upon it. His
business career has been a prosperous one, and he deserves all the more credit
for it, as his success is due entirely to his own efforts.
Be had not the advantage of capital or influential friends to aid him in
starting out in life. Mr.
Miller has served his fellow-townsmen as School Director, and he filled the
office of Trustee of Sherman Township when this section of Mound Prairie
Township formed a part of Sherman Township. He has long been an advocate of the
Republican Party and its principles.
His official duties he discharged with promptness and fidelity and he has
always been found true to every trust reposed in him.
The interest which he has taken in the development and up building of the
county and the prominent part he has taken in its development in the long years
of his residence here well entitle him to representation among its honored
pioneers. Portrait and Biographical Record, Jasper, Marshall and Grundy Counties, IA, Biographical Publishing Co., Chicago, IL, 1894, p. 178. |
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