My Genealogy Hound

Samuel Miller is the son of Samuel and Margaret (Lackey) Miller, and was born in Rockbridge County, Va., April 6, 1805. The father was born in North Ireland, and came with his parents to Pennsylvania before the Revolutionary War. He had two brothers in this war. After some time the father moved from Lancaster, Penn., to Highbridge neighborhood, Rockbridge Co., Va. (named from the celebrated natural bridge), where he remained until death. He was a weaver in his youthful days, but in late years was a farmer. He died about 1845. He moved with his father to Virginia and became owner of his father’s plantation. This our subject afterward purchased from the other heirs, and remained upon it, and took care of his parents in their old age. The mother of our subject was born in Pennsylvania, and her ancestors came from North Ireland, near Londonderry, to Pennsylvania. She died in Rockbridge County, Va., about 1850; both father and mother were members of the Associate Reformed Church, and died in their eighty-seventh year. Our subject received a very liberal education in Rockbridge County, and has been a student all his life. In 1834 he married Miss Janetta Wilson, who was born in Augusta County, Va., October 23, 1810, and died in Scotland County, Mo., August 27, 1878. She was the daughter of James and Deborah (Patterson) Wilson. The Pattersons were a noted family in Virginia, living at Patterson Ford on South Shenandoah River, Augusta County. Mrs. Miller was a member of the Presbyterian Church from early childhood, and by her marriage became the mother of ten children, five sons and two daughters, who are living on and enjoying the benefits of those lands. Our subject is now at this date (October 22, 1887), eighty-two years, six months and seventeen days old. In 1852 he came to Missouri and entered 1,000 acres of Government land, and in 1856 he brought his family to Scotland County, Mo., and has since been a resident of that county, having sold his property in Virginia. While on his way from Virginia he and his family remained one winter in Indiana, and while there was elected to teach school, but his eldest son, John F., taught the school in his place. While in Virginia our subject was elected, appointed and commissioned, in 1851, on account of his merits and standing in society, by the court of Rockbridge County, to have charge of the school fund of the poor for a territory of twelve miles square, and served without pay. [See old constitution of Virginia.] He also served, while in that State, as elder in his church (Old School Presbyterian) twenty-two years, and has filled the same position since his residence in Scotland County, thirty-one years. He has always been a great lover of music, and while in Virginia taught the same for three years. He owes his success to industry and judicious management.