The Miller Families of Wyandot County, Ohio

DAVID SELSOR MILLER.

This well-known man was for many years a prominent farmer and dealer in stock. He is now practically retired from business, though he still retains his agricultural interests and is also a shipper of hay. Before referring more particularly to his personal career it will be appropriate to note a few facts regarding his ancestors.

David Selsor Miller is a member of one of the notable pioneer families of Ohio. His great-great-grandparents. Robert and Elizabeth Miller, of Scotland, emigrated to Prince George county. Md., in 1738. In this county their eldest son. David, was born, and here he was married to Miss Rachel Blackwood, who was also born in this county. Her mother. Ann Swain, was born in this country, but her father. John Blackwood, was a native of England. David Miller was a gallant and patriotic soldier of the Revolution and died in the service in ryyS.

His son, Robert, was born in Prince George county, Md., on the 19th day of August. 1767. He was married to Miss Mary Highheld on the 19th day of January, 1793. and in a few days thereafter removed to Buckingham county, Va. In the spring of 1797 he removed to Kentucky and settled in Mason county. He was ordained a deacon of the Methodist Episcopal church by Bishop Asbury in Cincinnati in 1809 and was later ordained an elder by Bishop Robert R. Roberts. Becoming thoroughly dissatisfied with the institution of slavery Rev. Mr. Miller emancipated his slaves in 1812 and removed to Champaign (now Clark) county. Ohio. He was an uncompromising foe of slavery and intemperance and his pronounced views on these questions were far in advance of his time. David Miller, his eldest son. and the father of David Selsor Miller, was born in Buckingham county, Va.. February 12. 1794. and was married to Sarah Bent Parker October 28, 1833. He was three years old when he was taken by his parents to Kentucky and in 181-2 accompanied them on their removal to Ohio. Here he received the advantages of such schooling as was the lot of the farmer boy in that early day. On April 7, 1827. he came to> what is now* known as Pitt township. Wyandot county, Ohio (at that time Salt Rock township. Marion county), and settled in what was then called the Sandusky Plains. He entered land and bought it at the first land sale held there, and on that tract he made his home. Altogether he entered and bought one thousand acres of land in what is now Pi{t township. W yandot county. He started active lite there a comparatively poor man. but was energetic and ambitious and si*>n gained a competency. He made a business of going

- to Indiana and Illinois to buy cattle which he brought to the Sandusky Plains and graced during the summer. He then drove them to market at Philadelphia, Penn., or to Baltimore, Md. Pie was also the pioneer sheep raiser of this. county and a breeder of tine cattle and horses. At the time of his death he was the owner of five thousand acres of land in Wyandot county. At one time he held the office of county commissioner of Marion county, Ohio, and after the organization of Wyandot county he held the same office there. He was formerly a stanch Democrat, but upon the formation of the Republican party he joined that organization. He was one of the principal supporters of the first Republican paper published in Wvandot county. David Miller was thoroughly Methodist in his religious views and his home was the stopping place for itinerant preachers. He was a man of strong mentality and was foremost in the advancement of ail worthy enterprises. He built the first frame house in Wyandot county. He died on the 28th day of August, 1855, at the age of sixty-one years, and now lies in Oak Hill cemetery, situated south of Upper Sandusky, Ohio.

David Miller's wife, whose maiden name was Sarah Bent, was born on the 19th day of August, 1806. in Belpre, Ohio. She was the daughter of Abner and Elizabeth (Williams) Bent, who settled in Marion county. Ohio, at a very early day. Her ancestry dates from John and Edith Bent, residents of England, the former of whom died Julv 1 1. 1588, and the latter in [601. Her grandfather. Silas Bent, was born in Sudbury. Mass., April 14, ry 44. He saw service in Captain Ephraim Jackson's company in Canada in the French and Indian war. He served as private, ensign and first lieutenant in the Revolutionary war. On July 1. 1781. he was commissioned lieutenant-colonel of the Seventh Regiment, Massachusetts militia, and held this position until his removal from Rutland in 1798. He was a member of the Ohio Company at Marietta. Mr. Bent and others laid out Belpre. Ohio, which was situated sixteen miles down the Ohio river. At this place he spent the remainder of his days. He died April 4. 181S, respected by all who knew him. i he connection of his ancestors with Revolutionarywar entitles our subject. David Selsor A miller, to membership in the Society of the Sons of the American Revolution. Abner Bent was a farmer residing in Marion county, Ohio. He was born in 1780 and died in 1834. His daughter, Sarah Bent, was quite young when brought to Marion county. She was married in 1826 to George Parkei, who died in 1828. They were the parents of one child, Mary Ellen, who was born March 19, 1827, in Marion county, Ohio, married F. F. Fowler October 23. 1851. and died January 30, 1877, near DeWitt, Ark. Mrs. Sarah Bent Parker was again married October 28. 1833, to David Miller. She survived her husband about four years, dying on the 24th day of June, 1859, at the age of fifty-three years, and also lies in Oak Hill cemetery. She was an active and worthy member of the Methodist Episcopal church.

David and Sarah Miller were the parents of three children, viz.: Maria M., born November 21, 1835. married in 1855 to R. X. Taylor and died April 1, 1874: Princess A., born August 4. 1837. became the wife of Tames H. Anderson in 1856, and is now living in Columbus, OhO. and our subject.

David Selsor Miller was born in Salt Rock township. Marion county (now Pitt township, Wyandot county), Ohio, on the 23d day of June. 1843. His boyhood days were spent on his father's farm and here he attended the district schools. Upon the death of his father, which occurred in 1855, his mother with her family moved to Upper Sandusky, Ohio, where Mr. Miller attended the public schools. He also attended the Ohio Wesleyan University at Delaware. Ohio, for a short time. At this time his health failed. In May. 1863, he took a trip to Europe, spending most of the time in Germany, for the purpose of recuperating his health, and returned to his native land in January, 1864. Upon his return he engaged for about one year in farming and stock raising. Then he went to Alabama, where he bought a large plantation and went into the business of raising cotton. After spending two years in the south Mr. Miller returned to this county and for two years again operated his farm in connection with stock raising. I11 1872 he became a member of the firm of G. B. Stevenson & Co., manufacturers of sawmills, engines, etc. In 1874 this firm was dissolved and Mr. Miller again engaged in the live stock business, which he followed about nine years. In 1885 he went to Pittsburg, Penn., and took a position as salesman in the stock yards in that city, being with the firm of S. B. Hedges & Co. for four years. In 1892 Mr. Miller engaged in the hay business.

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Fraternally Mr. Miller is a member of Warpole Lodge, No. 176, F. & A. M., Mc- Cutcheon Chapter, No. 96, Royal Arch Masons, and Marion Commandery, No. 36, Knights Templar. Pie is a thirty-second-degree Scottish Rite Mason, and is a member of the Ancient Order of Nobles of the Mystic Shrine. He has been a Mason since 1864, joining as soon as he reached the required age. Pie is a member of the Society of the Sons of the American Revolution.

After an active life Mr. Miller is now living practically a retired life. By strict attention to the ethics of life he has won a reputation for probity and is a man whose word is as good as his bond. He has earned and enjoys the honest regard of the community in which he lives.

As printed in the source¹. Wording is the original; obvious scanning errors have been corrected, and a few may remain.

Jacob Miller, more familiarly known as “Uncle Jake," is one of the oldest living residents of Wyandot county, Ohio, if not the very oldest, having come to this locality almost seventy years ago. He was born March 31, 1822, in Pendleton county, Ya., and is a son of Isaac and Margaret ( Lair) Miller. His grandfather, Anthony Miller, was a native of the German Empire and was the first of the family tk cross the Atlantic to find a home in America. He was a gunsmith and blacksmith by trade, but also carried on farming operations in the United States.

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Jacob Miller did not have the advantage of a schooling, attending but a few days, not long enough to learn to read and write. He remained at home until, he was twenty-two years of age, when he was joined in marriage with Miss Harriet Beals, of Perry. Wvoming county, X. V. She was born August 24. 1828. and is a daughter of Samuel and Parntelia (French) Beals, who came front York state to Ohio at a very early day and settled in Wyandot county. He was a farmer and leased land from the Indians for many years, later going to the state of Indiana, where he died. His wife survived him and moved to Iowa, where site died. The children born to Mr. and Mrs. Miller are Rosanna, who married Alphonso D. Fesser, of. Allen county. Ohio, and is deceased; John, a farmer of Hardin county: Isaac, a farmer of Tyner City. Inch: Samuel, a farmer of Crawford county; and Harriet Jane, who died young.

Mr. Miller moved to his present place May 9. 1846. It was in its original state, not an axe had been stuck in a tree when it cane in his possession and his first attempt at improvement was the construction of a cabin of round logs. This building was 20x26 feet in size and was heated by a large fireplace which was built in one end of the room. There were eighty acres in the tract he purchased and a pleasant thought in connection with it is, that every improvement on the land was placed there by himself and every tree planted by his hand. He has engaged in general farming and is one of the well-known and popular agriculturists of Antrim township. He is a renowned hunter and great numbers of game have been filled to earth by his skillful markmanship. Deer, wolves and foxes were common trophies of the hunt and one week he shot twenty deer, selling eighteen of them for one dollar each. He has earned daily a dollar with his trusty gun. Much of his younger years was spent in company with the Indians and their customs and habits were so firmly impressed on his mind that he is still able to recall many stories of the early life and adventure of the early settler and red men, can speak their language and sing their songs, as well as go through their dances with all the ability of a native. His reminiscences of pioneer times are interesting in the extreme when given in his graphic and entertaining manner and lead us to realize to some-extent the dangers and obstacles encountered by our ancestors when they redeemed this beautiful and productive land from its wild and almost useless state.

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2gs clock, the three-cornered cupboard, the tin candlesticks and the old-fashioned picture of Washington and such prints which adorned the wails of our forefathers. “Lucie Jake's" old violin sits on the old-fashioned press, and shows recent usage. Pie has a deer call which a Wyandot Indian gave him: this was made of white walnut and imitates ]>perfectly the cry of a young lamb or fawn.

As printed in the source¹. Wording is the original; obvious scanning errors have been corrected, and a few may remain.

CLAY MILLER was born in Pitt Township February 20, 1846. His parents were William and Sophia (Karr) Miller, natives of Kentucky and

Ohio respectively, and of German and Scotch-Irish descent. His material great-grandfather was a Revolutionary soldier. AVilliam Miller came to Ohio in 1833, locating first in Marion County, but later leading land of the Indians and purchasing at the Government land sales 720 acres, to which he added till at his death he owned 1,000 acres. He was an extensive stock-dealer, and served as Justice of the Peace about twenty years. His nine children were Gilford D., Rebecca, America, Jordan, Elizabeth, George, Charles, Ellen and Clay. George is deceased. The first four children were borne by Mr. Miller's first wife, whose maiden name was Elizabeth Gordon. The father died in 1864, aged sixty-six, the mother, February 18, 1881, aged seventy-three. Clay Miller, the subject of this sketch, was educated in the district schools, worked upon the farm and at eighteen enlisted in Company H, One Hundred and Fortyfourth Regiment Ohio National Guard, participating in one skirmish, and retiring at the close of his " 100- day " service. At his father's death he inherited 100 acres, now owning 490, one of the best farms in the township. He makes a specialty of sheepraising, now owning 1,200 head. His residence was consumed by fire April 14,1883, and he is now erecting a fine new dwelling with all the modern improvements. Mr. Miller was married, October 27, 1870, to Miss Mary Kerr, daughter of James and Jane (Ellis) Kerr, and four children have been born to them: William Mc, born August 28, 1871; Maggie, March 30, 1873; James D., January 10, 1876; Harry C, February 24, 1883. Mr. Miller is a Republican and at present Trustee. Mrs. Miller was eight years a teacher in the public schools.

As printed in the source². Wording is the original; obvious scanning errors have been corrected, and a few may remain.

JOHN R. MILLER was born in Ross County, Ohio, July 13, 1815. His parents were Warick and Mary (Hodges) Miller, natives of Pennsylvania, and of English and German descent respectively. They were married in Ross County, their four children being Elizabeth, Thomas, Rebecca and John R. His mother died in 1816; his father July 16, 1865. Mr. Miller was married, March 31, 1836, to Catharine A. Burke, of this county, a native of Seneca County, and daughter of James and Elizabeth (Ridgway) Burke, natives of Virginia, and Irish and English descent. Her parents mari'ied near Portsmouth, Ohio, in 1825, and moved to this county about ten years later. They had six children, two of whom are still living — Isaac and Caroline. To Mi-, and Mrs. Miller two children were born, both dying in infancy. Mrs. Miller passed away in December 30, 1838, and Mr. M. was married, June 17, 1841, to Elizabeth Reynolds, of Hancock County. She was born in Pennsylvania, and was a daughter of Robert and Elizabeth (Schall) Reynolds, also natives of Pennsylvania. Her parents migrated to Ohio in 1835, and located in Hancock County. Their children are George W., Elizabeth, Maria, John, Andrew, Abner, Napoleon and Peninuah, all living but the last, Abner and Napoleon. The father died in 1846, the mother January 30, 1884. In 1835, Mr. Miller purchased seventy eight acres in this township, where he still resides, having added to his original purchase till he now owns 252 acres, valued at $75 per acre. He has served in the office of Trustee, and with his wife is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, his former wife was also a member of the same society. He is a Republican in politics, favoring prohibition. The children born of these parents are Elizabeth, Elias, Cyrus E., and Florence M. all living and married.

As printed in the source². Wording is the original; obvious scanning errors have been corrected, and a few may remain.

REUBEN MILLER is a native of this county, born in Crane Township, June 29, 1848. He resided with his father, Isaac Miller (see sketch), till twenty-two years of age, farming and attending the common schools. He was married December 29, 1870, to Mary J. Keller, daughter of Harrison D. and Susanna (Young) Keller, and three children have been born to them — Myrtie B., July 8, 1874,; Lillie M., January 24, 1878, and Lefee, September 27, 1883. For eight years after his marriage Mr. Miller tilled his father's farm. He then purchased his present farm, where he has since been engaged in agricultural pursuits. He is one of the model farmers of the township, and makes a specialty of good grades of sheep and hogs. He owns eighty-five acres within the corporation of Nevada, valued at $125 per acre, the land being drained by five miles of tile drainage. Mr. Miller served as Trustee of the township in 1882, and in 1883 was elected member of the Village Council. He is highly esteemed as a citizen, is an energetic farmer and an active Republican.

As printed in the source². Wording is the original; obvious scanning errors have been corrected, and a few may remain.

GEORGE W. MILLER, son of Frederick and Elizabeth fWalder) Miller, is a native of this county, born February 22, 1854. His parents were natives of Germany, and emigrated to this country in 1846, locating in Bucyrus, but subsequently residing ten years in this county, and returning to Crawford County, where they now live. Their children were nine in number, three now living, viz., Jacob F., John G. and George W. The latter was married April 3, 1873, to Susan A. Wilson, a native of Richland County, Ohio, daughter of William and Sarah (Knodle) Miller, natives of Maryland and Pennsylvania respectively, and of Scotch descent. They came to Richland County in 1832, removing to this county fourteen years later. They had eight children, three now living — Barbara A., Levi and Susan A. To George W. and Sarah A. Miller six children have been born: Lillie May, December 16, 1873; Margie. May 23, 1875; Carrie, January 22, 1878; Herman L., January 28, 1880; Charles L, March 7, 1882, and Arthur J., August 31, 1883; all living but Lillie, who died January 7, 1875. After obtaining and disposing of several different tracts of land, Mr. Miller purchased 160 acres in this township, where he now resides. His farm is valued at $100 per acre, and is a very desirable location. Mr. Miller is a Republican and a substantial and worthy citizen.

As printed in the source². Wording is the original; obvious scanning errors have been corrected, and a few may remain.

ALONZO F. MILLER, D. D. S., was born in Rich Hill Township, Muskingum County, Ohio, October 3, 1852. He is a son of Henry and Elmira (Flemming), his father born in the same county, his mother in what is now the incorporation of Pittsburgh, Penn. The latter's mother died while Mrs. Miller was an infant, and she was reared by two aunts, who moved to Ohio in her eighteenth year. Dr. Miller's great-great-grandfather, Reasnaugh (which in this country is called Reasoner), was a French Huguenot, and was compelled to flee to this country to escape the persecutions inaugurated against their creed in France. Philip Miller, an ancestor of Dr. Miller, was born in Hanover, Germany, and came to this country in company with a widowed mother, brother and sister. He was bound out to a party in Baltimore, Md., and from the time of his separation from his brother and sister at New York he never heard from them. They were all bound out to parties in Baltimore to pay their passage — virtually, sold into slav(H'y. The brother and sister eventually located in Washington County, Penn. Dr. Miller's grandfather, Abraham Miller, located in Muskingum County, Ohio, about 1817. His father, Henry Miller, still resides in that locality. Dr. Miller was reared on a farm, and at the age of nineteen had a good common school education. He supplemented this with a course at Muskingum College, the Northwestern Normal School at Republic, Ohio, and the Iron City Commercial College, Pittsburgh. In 1876, he began the study of dentistry with Dr. Davis, of Fostoria. In March, 1878, he located in Carey, where he has established an extensive practice in his profession. He was married, September 13, 1877, to Elmira S., daughter of Rev. Henry and Lydia (Voght) Strauch, the former a minister of the Evangelical Church. Mrs. Miller was born April 9, 1861, in Chillicothe, Ohio. Edna L. is their only child. Before locating in Carey, Dr. Miller attended the Ann Arbor Dental College, at which he graduated in May, 1878. He is a member of the Masonic order, and a much respected citizen. The Doctor is the eldest of nine children — Alonzo F., Rachel L., Lena M., George D., Elmer L., Delia M., Mary E. and Jacob H., all living.

As printed in the source². Wording is the original; obvious scanning errors have been corrected, and a few may remain.

Delevan Miller may well be proud of the work he has accomplished and is still accomplishing as mayor of Nevada, for it is constructive and progressive in character and always directed with a view to the best interests of the community. His life record should serve as an encouragement and inspiration to others for he started out in life as a day laborer and by courage, steadfast purpose and indefatigable activity worked his way upward to success. He was born in Lancaster, Keokuk county, Iowa, November 11, 1858, and is a son of Thomas and Eliza J. (McGarry) Miller, the former a native of Beaver

, Mongle county, Pennsylvania, born February 25, 1832, and the latter of Wayne county, Ohio, born in 1834. The father was a veteran of the Civil war, having served for four years as a member of the Third Ohio Cavalry, and after the close of hostilities returned to Wyandot county, where he followed his trade of harness-making for five years. He subsequently was engaged in the grocery business in Nevada until 1894, when he retired. He died in 1898 and was survived by his wife until 1906. In this family were seven children, Chester M., Delevan, Laura A., Lovie M., Charles P., James E., and a child, who died in infancy.

Delevan Miller acquired his education in the public schools of Wyandot comity and laid aside his books at the age of eighteen. He began his independent career as a day laborer and in this capacity worked until 1879. He was from 1882 to 1885 a clerk in a grocery store in Nevada and he afterward formed a partnership with Mr. Keltner and purchased the business, which they continued to conduct together until 1888, when Mr. Miller purchased his partner's interests. He managed the enterprise alone until 1891, when his father joined him in its conduct, the firm being known as T. P. Miller & Son. They built up a profitable business, their association continuing until Mr. Miller's brother, Charles P., purchased the father's share and the enterprise was continued under the name of Miller Brothers. They controlled one of the most important retail grocery concerns in the city and were accorded a liberal patronage because their business standards were always progressive, their methods upright and straightforward and their prices reasonable. Mr. Miller, of this review, continued his connection with the business until 1902, when, having acquired a comfortable fortune, he retired from active business life. He owns an attractive home in Nevada, a half interest in a four and one-half acre tract of city property and has valuable outside real-estate holdings, owning fifty-five acres on section 15, Antrim township.

For a number of years past Mr. Miller has taken a deep interest in public affairs and, always representing the democratic party, has held various important public offices, the duties of which he has discharged in a competent and able manner. He was for two terms a member of the Nevada council, for one term clerk of the village and in 1911 was elected mayor. He has given to the people of the community

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On the 17th of September, 1890, in Nevada, Mr. Miller was united in marriage to Miss Mary M. Klingler, a daughter of J. M. and Elizabeth (Dinkle) Klingler, the former a well known shoemaker in this city. Mr. and Mrs. Miller reared a boy, J. D. Lee, who is at present a traveling salesman. He married Miss May E. White, of Nevada.

Fraternally Mr. Miller is identified with the Masonic order and the Order of the Eastern Star. His wife is very prominent in the work of the Woman's Christian Temperance TTnion. They are members of the Methodist church and Mr. MUler serves as trustee and as assistant teacher of a Sunday-school class, which meets once a month. He is a man of exemplary character and in all lines of activity in the city, whether social, business, religious or political, his influence has been a powerful factor for good.

As printed in the source³. Wording is the original; obvious scanning errors have been corrected, and a few may remain.