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Below is a family biography included in The History of Miami 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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ELIAS MILLER, retired farmer; P. O. Piqua; was born in New Jersey Nov. 9, 1792, and is a son of Jacob and Lucretia (Marsh) Miller; their marriage was celebrated during the war of Independence; Jacob was a native of New Jersey, born March 18, 1747, died May 2, 1814; Lucretia was also a native of the same State, born March 19, 1759, deceased; the ancestors of Lucretia were originally from Wales; the children of Jacob and wife were eight in number, viz., Sarah (born Dec. 21, 1778, died April 2, 1839), Joanna (born July 2, 1782, died July 5, 1871), Jacob (born July 23, 1787, died Feb. 12, 1814), Joshua (born June 3, 1790, died March 1, 1824), Elias (born Nov. 9, 1792); Hannah (born Nov. 25, 1795, died April 17, 1834), Huldah (born May 4, 1798, died about 1856; Ellis (born Aug, 17, 1800, died July, 1862). Elias was brought up to farm labor; in 1838, he came West, purchased his present farm of 160 acres, in Sec. 11, Spring Creek Township, which he greatly improved, and has for many years enjoyed the fruits of his labors. On Dec. 26, 1816, in his native State, he married Catharine Moore; they, by this union, had nine children, viz., Rebecca A. (born Dec. 17, 1817, died 1852), Ellis (born Jan. 24, 1819, died Sept. 22, 1872), Lucretia (born May 19, 1821), Hannah (born Oct. 2, 1823), Phileth (born Nov. 11, 1826), Philip (born April 2, 1828), Mary (born Feb. 18, 1830), John (born April 27, 1832), Elias J., (born July 13, 1834); Elias and Catharine have of their descendants forty-four grandchildren and twenty-seven great-grandchildren; of the great-grandchildren, Mary Hetzler is the only one now married; her marriage with Freeman Weatherhead was celebrated Dec. 25, 1879; they now live with their great-grandparents, and assist in caring for them; on Nov. 9, 1879, Mr. Miller, to his utter surprise, was met in his house by many of the above descendants, and other friends and relatives to celebrate his 87th birthday, each one coming with their baskets bountifully filled; a table was soon spread with the rich and substantial viands which kind hands had brought; the table was first surrounded by the eldest, next by the younger, etc., to the youngest; the afternoon was enjoyed in social entertainment. Mrs. Miller was born in Kentucky Jan. 24, 1795; she is a daughter of Gershom and Anna Moore; they were the parents of nine children, of whom Catherine is the only one now living.

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This family biography is one of 964 biographies included in The History of Miami County, Ohio published in 1880 by W. H. Beers & Co.  For the complete description, click here: Miami County, Ohio History and Genealogy

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

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