My Genealogy Hound

William A. Miller, with the firm of F. Peterson & Co., lumber dealers at Aurora Springs, was born in Somerset County, Penn., February 20, 1847; was reared to farm life on the Ohio River, but on account of ill health was unable to attend school. He studied at home, however, and by this means became a well-informed man on all subjects. He came to Moniteau County, Mo., in 1865, enlisting in Capt. Chester’s company to suppress bushwhacking, and at a little skirmish at Lexington they shot Archie Clements, the first member of the James gang to meet his fate. In 1869 Mr. Miller went to Tipton, Mo., where he remained for three years, and then, after a short time, went to St. Louis. Later he returned to Tipton, and was engaged as manager for Mr. Reavis until failing health caused him to abandon this, and he then, in 1880, came with his brother Herman to Aurora Springs and opened the first restaurant there. They erected the first business house in the place, and had a lucrative trade in the early days of the town. About 1884 Mr. Miller took charge of the first lumber-yard in Aurora, with the firm of F. Peterson & Co. He was a member of the first city council, was re-elected three times, and was mayor during 1885. He was married in 1877 to Miss Nannie E. Caltnar, of Morgan County, who bore him three children: Lottie, Bessie and Helen. Mr. and Mrs. Miller are members of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church, and Mr. Miller is superintendent of the Union Sunday-school. He was a member of the school board at the time of the erection of the present school building, which was erected from his designs, and with J. M. Williams he was superintendent of its construction. He is a member of the Masonic fraternity. His parents, John and Louisa (Loiree) Miller, were both natives of Pennsylvania, and the latter of French descent. The father was a farmer by occupation, and moved to Athens County, Ohio, in 1857, and from there to Missouri in 1867. He died on his son’s farm in Missouri, in 1874, and the mother died January 25, 1888.