My Genealogy Hound

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.

* * * *

WILLIAM MILLER, farmer; P. O. Piqua; was born in Lost Creek Township, Miami Co., Nov. 10, 1811; is a son of Abram Miller and a grandson of Phelix Miller, who was of English descent, and born in Baltimore, Md., about 1727; in 1741, he entered upon an apprenticeship at gunsmithing, and followed his trade until about 1747, when he enlisted on a British man-of-war; was promoted to Lieutenant in the subsequent part of his service, which terminated in 1754; he then returned to Baltimore, and, in 1758, married Elizabeth Horn; she was of German birth, and born in 1738; eleven children are the fruits of this marriage; of these, ten lived to the age of maturity; after his marriage he kept a hotel in Baltimore, until, in 1779, he sold out and again commenced working at his trade, which he followed the remainder of his days; his death occurred in 1794, but his widow survived until 1821, when she, too, passed away. Abram Miller was born in Baltimore, Md., April 21, 1781; he received a liberal education, and, in 1795, went to work at the mason’s trade, which he followed through life; in November of 1806, he emigrated to Warren Co., and the following spring built the foundation and chimneys of, and plastered, the first house of worship built by the Shakers in that county; he came to Miami Co., settling in Lost Creek Township, in 1809, and built the first stone chimney in the village of Troy (there were no bricks to be had there at that time); having moved near Piqua, in 1816, he built the first brick house erected in Spring Creek Township. In 1801, he was united in marriage with Eleanor Manson, who was born in York Co., Penn., in April, 1781; by this union they had twelve children, of whom eight lived to rear families; he died in October, 1847, and she in September, 1855. Mr. Miller received an ordinary education, and turned his attention to agricultural pursuits; in 1834, he bought 40 acres of land in the vicinity of Piqua, which he sold and bought 94 acres in Sec. 32, where he now resides; Mr. Miller also followed teaming for a number of years. In 1840, he married Martha Hawthorn, who was born in Miami Co. in 1825; they are the parents of twelve children, of whom three died in infancy and three in youth; two of the remaining six are married and four are at home.

* * * *

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

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