My Genealogy Hound

L. B. MILES, M. D., D. D. S., one of Georgetown’s most enterprising citizens, was born at Baltimore, Md., July 26, 1832, of Scotch and Welsh parentage. His ancestors and many relatives have been participants in the several struggles of our country, usually in high military positions. His grandfather, Aquilla Miles, was a Colonel through the war for American Independence. His father, Aquilla Miles, Jr., was a native of Maryland, of Scotch and Welsh extraction, and was a saddler by trade. He was engaged in the war of 1812, and in September, 1814, participated in the defense of Baltimore under Gen. Winder, when the British forces marched through that city, and suffered the loss of their commander, Gen. Ross, returning from the destruction of Washington. Aquilla, in the fall of 1838, removed with his family from Maryland to a farm in Knox County, Ohio, and subsequently to near Columbus, Ohio, where he died in August, 1858. He had married Elizabeth Hughes, a native of Maryland, and of Welsh descent, and they had a family of four children, a daughter and three sons The subject of this sketch was the second child and eldest son. He passed his boyhood days at Mt. Vernon, Ohio, preparing for college. He entered the Freshman Class at the Ohio Wesleyan University, at Delaware, Ohio, and subsequently the Sophomore Class of Oberlin College, graduating from the latter institution in 1849. In early life, Dr. Miles studied for the ministry, but afterward abandoned his theological studies and began his medical education. He first placed himself under the tuition of two eminent physicians of Mt. Vernon — Drs. Russell and Thompson, remaining with them four years. He then attended a course of lectures at the Cleveland Medical College, practiced one year at Lexington, Richland Co., Ohio, and subsequently graduated in 1857. After graduation, he returned to Cleveland, and there commenced active practice, also purchasing an interest in a drug store. Dr. Miles remained at Cleveland till the commencement of the war, enjoying a very lucrative practice and trade. He then disposed of his drug stock, and started for St. Louis, Mo., via Cincinnati, with the intentions of practicing surgery. While waiting a few days in the latter city, he attended lectures in the Ohio Dental College, and became so favorably impressed with this branch of medical science, that he resolved to adopt it. He therefore continued in attendance at the college, and was duly graduated in 1862. He followed his profession about one year, and on March 28, 1863, located at Georgetown. His knowledge of his profession, coupled with his kind and courteous manners, soon won for him a large custom, and his practice attained a value of $6,000 annually for several succeeding years. During this time, Dr. Miles erected two large and handsome brick residences in North Georgetown, among the finest in the village, one of which is well-known as Fair View Place. He owns over six acres of land just within the village limits, and has lately constructed another fine residence for his own use, which he has named Bellevue Place. Dr. Miles has been in constant practice since his location in the village, and has made many warm personal friends. He was united in marriage, October 11, 1854, to Harriet C. Abbey, a native of Cleveland, Ohio, and a daughter of Perley Abbey, a prominent architect and builder of that city. She is a great niece of Samuel Goodrich, the widely popular author — “Peter Parley.” They have three children — Lulu C., Clarence D. and Perley A. Dr. Miles and family are members of the Good Templars Lodge, of Georgetown, his wife, daughter and son, having been charter members. He is also connected by membership with Confidence Lodge, No. 307, I. O. O. F., of Georgetown, and is a regular attendant to the services of the M. E. Church. In 1873. a meeting was called at Cincinnati to devise means to construct the Cincinnati, Georgetown & Portsmouth Railroad. Dr. Miles was made Chairman of the Executive Committee, and afterward worked up a large interest in Georgetown, and Bethel, Clermont County, in favor of the road. In 1876, this interest was revived, and at this second called meeting, the Doctor was again appointed to fill his former position. This time he determined that “success” should be his motto, and he labored day and night, in season and out, for the success of this enterprise. Within six months’ time the road was constructed to Hamersville, and there stopped for the want of money to bridge across White Oak Creek. Dr. Miles personally solicited over $53,000, while also holding the office of both Chairman and Secretary of the Executive Committee. He was also Superintendent of the Georgetown Division for some time. Realizing the efforts of Dr. Miles in their behalf, the people of Georgetown in convention assembled, passed a resolution thanking him for his labor in this enterprise, and asked the railroad company to name the engine which should draw the first passenger train to Georgetown, the “Dr. L. B. Miles.” This resolution was favorably received by the board, and no doubt will be favorably acted upon. It is safe to say there is no man in Brown County who has labored so energetically and unceasingly for the success of the Cincinnati, Georgetown & Portsmouth Railroad as Dr. L. B. Miles.