My Genealogy Hound

Benjamin F. Miller, one of the most prominent and most highly esteemed citizens of the town of Ortonville, Brandon township, Oakland County, is one of the township’s four justices of the peace and has shown by his equitable decisions in the past to be well fitted for the position. He was born in Amherst, Erie County, New York, in 1838 and is a son of J. D. and Catherine (Campbell) Miller.

J. D. Miller, who was a native of New York, came to Michigan with his wife and family in 1848, and settled in Groveland township, Oakland County, where he became identified with the farming interests. His death took place in 1856, at the age of 44 years, after he had been in his new home only eight years. His wife, who was a Pennsylvanian by birth, died in Oakland County in 1872, having reached the age of 58 years. They were the parents of three children, namely: Oliver C., who when the Civil War broke out enlisted in the 20th Reg., Michigan Vol. Inf., was taken prisoner at Petersburg, Virginia, and died in the Confederate prison at Danville; Campbell P., who enlisted in the 27th Reg., Michigan Vol. Inf., as musician, and was killed in front of Petersburg by a shell; and Benjamin F., our subject. Our subject’s father was a Whig in politics; he joined in the movement that resulted in the organization of the Republican party.

Benjamin F. Miller was reared in Groveland township, Oakland County, and educated in the district schools. He was trained for agricultural work and remained on the homestead farm of 40 acres for many years after his father’s decease, for he became his mother’s mainstay and support, when his two brothers died for their country. He met with good success in his farming operations and showed a spirit of progress and hustling ability when he also engaged for several years in selling farm machinery, agricultural implements, etc. Later he purchased property in the village of Ortonville, where he has made his home for the past 12 years, being very comfortably situated.

Mr. Miller’s first marriage was to Frances E. Perry of Groveland township, Oakland County, who died in 1876, leaving two children, namely: John F., now deceased and Ida E., who married Ellsworth Narrin, and lives in Groveland township, Oakland County. His second marriage was to Mrs. Lois E. Irish (nee Woodruff), who was the widow of George Irish. In his religious views, Mr. Miller is liberal. He is a Republican and has for many years been prominently identified with that party in his section of the county. He is at present serving as a justice of the peace. For three years he served as treasurer of Groveland township and also was highway commissioner. He is a member of Lodge No. 339, F. & A. M., of Ortonville, of which lodge he is secretary. Mr. and Mrs. Miller are both members of Lodge No. 286, Order of the Eastern Star. By a former marriage Mrs. Miller was the mother of two children: Ida, who died at the age of 20 years; and an infant, not named.