This is an ever growing list of Union County Biographies. If there is just the page listed it is one that I have transcribed. Otherwise, it will have the name of the person who donated the biographies. If you have any biographies you can donate, please drop a line to Janine M. Bork.Your information can help others.

S. EDWARD MILLER. - A list of the stock Lings? Union county would be incomplete were their failure to incorporate in the number the enterprising and substantial property owner and patriotic citizen whose name is at the head of this article and who has given substantial proof of his ability to accumulate the goods of this world as well as his ability to manipulate large interests and carry through mammoth enterprises to a successful termination, displaying meanwhile the rare moral virtues that are characteristic of him and form a component part of his upright and reliable character.

Mr. Miller was born in Union, Union county, Oregon, on September 26, 1876, being the son of Simon and Sarah A. Miller. In his native place, S. Edward was educated and his county has reason to take pardonable pride in the career of her son, who has achieved such success in this section. Such men are the ones that make the county what she is at the present time and whose skill and industry launch it into a prominent place in the commercial interests of the state. At the early age of seventeen he commenced operations for himself in the affairs of life, renting land from his father's estate on Clover creek, where for three years he gave his attention to raising stock and general farming. Immediately subsequent to this time he entered into a partnership with his brother, Arthur, and they repaired to Eagle valley and took up the sheep industry, where they operated for two years, handling from three to four thousand head of sheep each year. Then they ran their sheep into Wallowa county, Arthur taking charge of the business in this county and our subject came to Grande Ronde valley in 1899 and purchased one hundred and eighty acres of land, it being a portion of his father's estate, which comprised eight hundred and forty acres. He gave himself to general farming and in continuing the sheep industry with his brother. Their business has grown unti they now handle over eight thousand sheep annually, being among the largest sheep men in the two counties. Our subject is enterprising and intelligent and is sustaining a prominent position in the county while he enjoys to the full the respect, confidence and esteem of all who know him.

It is very fitting in this connection to give a brief memorial of the estimable pioneer, Simon Miller, the father of the subject of this sketch. He was a native of Switzerland and came to America in his youth and soon afterward to Oregon, living for a time in the western portion, then came to the eastern portion in 1863. On August 8, 1858, he married Juliet Ann Galloway, who was born in Owen county, Indiana, on October 3, 1841, and came with her parents to this coast in 1854, settling in Columbia county, Oregon Mr. And Mrs. Miller were faithful and devout members of the Methodist church, and on February 8, 1885, she was called from her family of eight children and her devoted husband to the rewards of the other world. Her going was peaceful and calm as had been her exemplary Christian life. "As a neighbor, she was universally beloved, all being her friends; as a wife and mother, she was kind and affectionate; and as a Christian, she walked before the world blameless." All the family were at her deathbed except one son, and of him she said to her husband: "Tell him pa, for me, to be a good boy and meet me in Heaven." So she fell asleep with thoughts for her loved ones and a bright faith in her Savior. On October 28, 1887, while undergoing an operation in Portland, Mr. Miller departed this life. He was a devout Christian and of him it was said; "Probably no man among us was more fully respected and in whom the community had greater confidence." His death was a time of sincere mourning and it was known that a good and really great man had gone from his wonted place.

WILLIAM D. MILLER - The intelligence and vigor with which the younger men of the county of Union have stepped to the front in the work of development and progress of the county as the pioneers, one by one, drop out of the ranks or retire to enjoy for a time the fruit of their labors, is both commendable and indicative of the future welfare of the county's interests and it is with pleasure we note that such is the case. One of the enterprising number is named at the head of this article and we are pleased to also record that he is a son of the county, being born here on March 5, 1876, to George and Matilda (Centy) [sic - Conley] Miller. The parents were immigrants to this county in 1874, and are now residing near Cove. Our subject acquired a good education from the training in the district schools and thus fortified as well as with the salutary lessons received from a wise father, he stepped out on the arena of life's conflicts to do battle for himself, when he had reached the age of twenty-two years. Then he and his brother-in-law, John Smith, rented the place where he now lives at the present time, nine miles northwest from Cove, from his father and they have been engaged handling it since that time. It consisted of eight hundred acres of fertile land and is made to produce abundant crops of cereals in response to his skillful and capable husbandry.

The marriage of Mr. Miller and Miss Alice M., daughter of Henry and Sarah Mires, was solemnized on July 19, 1899. They have become the parents of two children, Edith E. and Winnie M. Mr. Miller is one of the capable and intelligent young agriculturists of the county and has made a good start in life, demonstrating his capabilities to handle successfully the business in hand, while his reputation is untarnished and his genial nature has won him many warm friends.