My Genealogy Hound

Below is a family biography included in the book,  Biographical Souvenir of the Counties of Buffalo, Kearney, Phelps, Harlan and Franklin, Nebraska published in 1890 by F. A. Battey & Company.  These biographies are valuable for genealogy research in discovering missing ancestors or filling in the details of a family tree. Family biographies often include far more information than can be found in a census record or obituary.  Details will vary with each biography but will often include the date and place of birth, parent names including mothers' maiden name, name of wife including maiden name, her parents' names, name of children (including spouses if married), former places of residence, occupation details, military service, church and social organization affiliations, and more.  There are often ancestry details included that cannot be found in any other type of genealogical record.

* * * *

JACOB MILLER is a representative farmer of Platte township, Buffalo county. He settled on his present homestead in March, 1878, his claim being part of the Fort Kearney military reservation, which was thrown open to settlement about that date. Mr. Miller came to Nebraska from Preston county, W. Va., but is a native of New York City. He is of French extraction, his parents both being natives of the town of Strausburg. His father, George Miller, came to America after his marriage and settled first in New York City and afterwards in Preston county, W. Va. He died in the latter place in 1852 in his fortieth year. He was an engineer, an industrious, hard working man, of studious habits and very strong domestic tastes. Mr. Miller’s mother, whose maiden name was Margaret Long, survived her husband many years, dying also in Preston county, W. Va., in August, 1872, aged seventy -two. These were the parents of three children, all of whom reached maturity and are now living. The eldest of these, Margaret, now wife of John Nine, and the youngest, George, both live in Preston county, W. Va. The second is the subject of this sketch, who was born in New York, March 9, 1839, and was quite a lad when his parents moved to West Virginia. He was apprenticed to the shoemaker’s trade, learned it, and followed it till the war came on. He enlisted in the Union army in May, 1861, entering Company D, Sixth West Virginia cavalry, which regiment first formed the Third West Virginia infantry and was afterwards mounted. His company was commanded by Capt. A. J. Squires and was mustered into service at Newburg, Va., June 28, 1861. His regiment served with the Army of the Potomac and took part in the following engagements: Shaw’s ridge, battle of McDowell, Franklin, Cross Keys, Cedar mountain, Rappahannock station, Waterloo Bridge, Sulphur Springs, second Bull Run, Warm Springs, Rocky gap, Mill Point, Droop mountains and other smaller ones. He was captured near New Creek, W. Va., in September, 1863, and was released on parole in February, 1864. During part of this time he was held at “Libby.” When the war was over he continued in the regular service for more than a year, being on the frontier in the Indian service, ranging the plains and Rocky mountains, mostly along the stage lines. He was mustered out May 22, 1866, at Ft. Leavenworth, and returned to his old home in West Virginia, where he lived till coming to Nebraska in 1878.

Mr. Miller has been twice married. He married first in December, 1868, his wife being Miss Mary Shaw, a daughter of Thomas A. Shaw, of Preston county, W. Va. To this union were born three children — William W., Marshall McCurdy and Thomas Clark, the last now deceased. Mr. Miller married the second time December 24, 1876 — the lady on whom his choice fell being Miss Helen Louisa Parsons, a daughter of James William and Catherine Parsons, of Tucker county, W. Va. Mrs. Miller is a native of Tucker county, as were also her parents. Her father is still living there; her mother died in 1856, aged forty-eight. Mrs. Miller is one of a family of eight children who reached maturity, namely — Jane Rebecca, Samson Ellion, Hannah, Agnes, Ann Melissa, Helen Louisa (Mrs. Miller), Diana Elizabeth and Solomon John.

Being a public spirited citizen as well as a man of good business qualifications, Mr. Miller has naturally been called upon to fill some offices in connection with the administration of the public affairs of his township. He has been moderator of his school district, road supervisor, and is now serving as township supervisor. In politics he is a republican. He cast his first presidential vote for the Bell-Everett ticket, but soon afterwards, affiliating with the republican party, he has voted that ticket since. Mr. Miller is an intelligent, liberal-minded, progressive citizen, and well esteemed by his neighbors.

* * * *

This family biography is one of the numerous biographies included in the book, Biographical Souvenir of the Counties of Buffalo, Kearney, Phelps, Harlan and Franklin, Nebraska published in 1890 by F. A. Battey & Company. 

View additional Buffalo County, Nebraska family biographies here: Buffalo County, Nebraska Biographies

View a historic 1912 map of Buffalo County, Nebraska

View family biographies for other states and counties

Use the links at the top right of this page to search or browse thousands of other family biographies.