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Below is a family biography included in The History of Darke County, Ohio published by W. H. Beers & Co. in 1880.  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.

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WILLIAM MILLER, farmer and stock-raiser; P. O. Delisle. Mr. Miller belongs to a pioneer family; was born Nov. 29, 1837, on the farm upon which he now resides; he is a son of Samuel and Nancy (Howell) Miller, and grandson of David and Catherine (Studabaker) Miller; David Miller was a native of Bedford County, Penn., but emigrated to Ohio at an early day, locating for a short time in Clinton County, afterward in Miami County, and finally came to Darke County and located in Neave Township soon after the war of 1812. Samuel Miller was born in Clinton County, Ohio, March 25, 1805; was a youth when his parents came to Darke County, and grew to manhood here in pioneer days; married Miss Nancy, daughter of Joshua and Christena (Mikesell) Howell; Joshua was a native of Virginia, and Nancy was born in Maryland; they came to Darke County about the year 1821, and he became a leading and influential citizen; was Sheriff and also Commissioner during his residence here; both he and his wife lived to four score years, and resided in Michigan at the time of their decease; after his marriage, Mr. Miller rented four years, then entered one quarter of Sec. 24, Neave Township, which was then all woods, and upon which he hurriedly built a cabin, into which he moved his family before it was “chinked” not waiting even to place a floor or hang a door; the first night after their arrival, there was an addition of several kittens to their supply of domestic animals, but, it being a cold March night, they all froze, to the great grief of the children; by perseverance and toil. amid privations and difficulties known only to the pioneer, he succeeded, by the assistance of his family in securing a home and adding 154 acres to the original tract; in his later years, he retired from active labor, and the farm was carried on by his sons, under his supervision, he having raised a family of eleven children, seven of whom are still living; his death occurred Nov. 1, 1856; his widow is now the wife of William McCool, and resides in Delisle. William Miller remained on the old homestead until 1864, renting of his mother after his marriage with Miss Margaret M. Frye, which occurred Aug. 1, 1861; she is a daughter of Andrew and Rachael (Wilson) Frye, who resided near Fort Jefferson, and had a family of eleven children, only three of whom are now living. (See biography of H. W. Frye.) In the spring of 1864, Mr. Miller purchased 80 acres in Greenville Township, upon which he resided about four years, then sold it and removed to her father’s place near Fort Jefferson; six months later, he purchased 120 acres of the old homestead, including the residence, and again took up his abode on the spot where he was born and spent his youthful days. Mr. Miller has been School Director five years and Trustee ten years, a compliment to his judgment and to the interest he takes in education and the general welfare; his home is a pleasant place, and his hospitality unbounded; Mrs. Miller is a worthy member of the M. E. Church, and a conscientious Christian woman. They are the parents of three children— Ollie R., born Sep. 1, 1863, now an interesting miss; Charles A., May 4, 1866; and one who died in infancy. May both Mr. and Mrs. Miller live long and enjoy much of the fruits of their labors, and hereafter reap a rich reward for their disinterested kindness and hospitality, conferred alike on friends and strangers, is the wish of the writer.

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This family biography is one of 659 biographies included in The History of Darke County, Ohio published in 1880 by W. H. Beers & Co.  For the complete description, click here: Darke County, Ohio History and Genealogy

View additional Darke County, Ohio family biographies here: Darke County, Ohio Biographies

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