My Genealogy Hound

GEORGE MILLER; farmer; P. O. German. Mr. Miller is another of the early settlers and prominent citizens of German Township; he is a native of Pennsylvania, born in York Co. in 1816; he descended from the Teutonic stock, and is the son of George Miller, Sr., who was also a native of Pennsylvania; Mr. Miller, Sr., was a farmer by occupation, and engaged to some extent in the manufacture of linseed oil. He united in marriage with Miss Petry, who is also a native of Pennsylvania; she is still living in the enjoyment of good health in Preble Co., at the ripe old age of 90 years. Mr. Miller, Sr., died in Pennsylvania, when our subject was only 9 years old; the subject of this memoir emigrated to Ohio when 16 years of age, and located first in Preble Co.; he was reared on a farm, and as this country was comparatively new when he came to it he was early inured to the hardships and privations of frontier life; he remained at home assisting in the duties of the farm till he grew up to mature years; his educational advantages were necessarily limited, as the life of the early settler is one of constant exertion for subsistence; however, what opportunities offered in this direction were well improved; in 1839, he moved to German Township and located on a piece of land owned by John Warner, land which he subsequently purchased and still owns; here he embarked on the “course of life” on his own account. He now has his third wife; his first marriage was consummated with Miss Warner in 1839; death bereft him of this companion in 1842; two children were born ,both dying in infancy; he celebrated his second marriage with Miss Boomershine, in 1845; in 1858 he was called upon to mourn her loss; she died, leaving six children, one of whom has since died; he was married for the third time, to Miss Bolinger, in 1859; ten children were the fruits of the last union, nine of whom are still living. It will be noticed by the above that the messenger of death has made many and frequent visits to this father, taking from him two affectionate wives and four children. Mr. Miller is one of the self-made men of this county; beginning here nearly half a century ago almost entirely in the woods, with scarcely nothing but a strong constitution, well-acquired habits of industry and economy, and an unyielding determination, he has struggled up through many difficulties to take a place among the foremost farmers of the county; he has added to his small beginning by unflagging perseverance, till he now has a farm of 293 acres, well improved and under excellent cultivation; he has taken a great interest in the cause of religion, being a member of the German Baptist Church upward of twenty years.