Albert W. Miller

As printed in 1909

ALBERT W. MILLER.

It is an important public duty and honor to perpetuate as far as possible the memory of an eminent citizen — one who by his blameless and honorable life and distinguished career reflected credit upon his city and state. Through such memorials as this at hand the individual and the character of his services are kept in remembrance and the importance of those services acknowledged. His example therefore becomes an object lesson to those who follow him. The history of Albert W. Miller is indeed one worthy of record, for he stood as a high type of American manhood and chivalry, and always regarded his word given or an engagement made as a sacred obligation. He felt that a man should always use his advantages to the best of his ability, and the years gave substantial proof of his worth in every relation where he was found. He was loyal in his friendships and family duties were to him most sacred. In the paternal line Albert W. Miller is of German lineage. His grandparents were Martin and Susan (Snook) Miller. The former was born in Frederick City, Maryland, and came of a family of German origin. Both he and his wife were well advanced in years when called to their final rest, Mrs. Miller, who survived her husband for some time, being about ninety years of age at her demise. They had a large family, namely: Charlotte, William, George. Martin, Ezra, Louis. Nathan, Simon, Adam, Elizabeth, Susan and Sophia.

Of this family William Miller, the eldest son, was born in Maryland, and after acquiring his education began learning the miller's trade at Eakles Mills, Maryland. Subsequently he conducted a mill of his own at Rohrersville, and continued a resident of his native state until about 1880, when he removed westward to Iowa and purchased a farm of one hundred and twenty acres three miles east of Spencer. A few years later he left the farm and removed to Spencer, where he died in August, 1906, at the age of eighty-six years. His wife passed away in 1902 at the age of seventy-four years. She bore the maiden name of Rebecca. Clapper, and was also a native of Maryland. Her father, the Rev. John Clapper, was born in that state and became a minister of the United Brethren church. He married a Miss Longman and they had several children, Elizabeth, Leah, Simeon, William, John and George. Unto Mr. and Mrs. William Miller were born a daughter and seven sons: Celia, the wife of Aaron Dovenberger; Albert W., of this review; John; Henry, of Denver, Colorado; Hilrey J., of Lexington, Kentucky; Charles, of Hagerstown, Maryland; Otho, who died at Leeds City, South Dakota; and Louis S., who was killed in a railroad wreck at Everly, Iowa.

There was much in the life record of Albert W. Miller which commended him to the confidence and good will and high regard of those with whom he came in contact, and at his death he left a record that is well worthy of emulation. He was born at Keedysville, Maryland, March 2, 1847, ' was there reared to manhood and in its schools acquired his early education, although he afterward had the benefit of instruction in Eastman's Business College of New York, from which he was graduated in due course of time. In seeking a home in the middle west he located at Sioux City, Iowa, but soon afterward removed to Peterson, in Clay county, where he operated a saw mill and flour mill for about a year. In 1870 he removed to Spencer and became interested with Mr. Marcellus in the ownership of a flour mill, being connected with the enterprise until 1873. then established a private bank in Spencer, which was the first institution of this character in Clay county. He continued as its president until he sold out and started the First National Bank, when he became president of the latter and so continued until his demise. He was a man of strong business qualifications, manifesting keen sagacity in the solution of intricate business problems, and at all times carefully utilizing his opportunities so that no advantages were neglected. He was. moreover, a man of unquestioned business probity, ever mindful of his obligations and in no way overreaching another in a business transaction. Justice and truth were always characteristics of his business life and made his name an honored one.

On the 29th of October, 1872, Mr. Miller wedded Miss Emma LaMar, who was born in Burkittsville, Maryland, a daughter of Captain William B. and Elizabeth ( Harley) LaMar, who were also natives of Maryland., Her father conducted a steam tannery at Burkittsville, devoting much of his life to that pursuit. He was a son of Thomas and Mary (Willard) LaMar, who were likewise born in Maryland and in that state Thomas LaMar owned and conducted a large plantation. His wife f'ied when past middle life, while he lived to the remarkable old age of more than ninety years. Their children were John, Benoni, William, Mary. Elizabeth, Laura, Ellen and Rebecca. The maternal grandparents of Mrs. Miller were Joshua and Elizabeth (Whiteneck) Harley. The former, a native of England, became a merchant and in addition to conducting a store he also owned a large plantation at Burkittsville, Marvland. Both he and his wife reached old age and they reared a family of five sons and four daughters, William, Otho. Thomas, Joshua, Mahlon, Elizabeth, Matilda. Sophia and Eliza.

William LaMar, the father of Mrs. Miller, served as a captain in the Mexican war. He remained an active business man of Burkittsville during the greater part of his life and there passed away in 1872, at the age of sixty-two years. His wife survived him until 1880 and passed away at the age of seventy-three years. They were the parents of eight children, Thomas; Eliza; Lewis, deceased; Marene; Robert, deceased; William; Asa, deceased; and Emma, the wife of our subject.

The home of Mr. and Mrs. Miller was blessed with eight children, three of whom died in childhood. Laura became the wife of J. R. Gilbreath, whose father wrote the first history of Clay county. They now reside at Mandan, North Dakota, and they have one son, Victor LaMar. Mrs. Gilbreath is a graduate of the Kee-Marr College at Hagerstown, Maryland. Albert, who is a graduate of Eastman's Business College, is living at home with his mother. Jessie is the wife of Nicholas Leysbeth, consul from Belgium to Germany, and they make their home at Cologxie. Mrs. Leysbeth is a graduate of Lake Forest (Illinois) College and by her marriage has become the mother of one son, Louis. Emma, who is a graduate of St. Catherine's College at Davenport, Iowa, is now attending an art school at Chicago. Bessie, who complete the family, is a high school student in Spencer.

The death of the husband and father occurred December 18, 1892, when he had reached the age of fort-five years and nine months. He was reared in the faith of the United Brethren church, but afterward became a charter member of the Congregational church, as did his wife, who yet belongs to that denomination. He served his country as a soldier of the Civil war, becoming a member of Company B in a regiment of Maryland Volunteer Infantry. His political allegiance was given to the republican party, but the honors and emoluments of office had no attraction for him, as he preferred always to concentrate his energies upon his business affairs, and by his intelligently directed effort achieved success that enabled him to leave his family in very comfortable financial circumstances. His prosperity was ever a means to an end. He was never engrossed in moneymaking to the exclusion of other interests, but he rejoiced that his business advancement permitted him to give his children good opportunities and to minister to the welfare and happiness of his wife. In all things he manifested steadfast purpose and spotless integrity, features to which the splendid civilization of America is indebted, and thus he left the impress of his individuality upon the country in which he iona: resided.

As printed in History of Clay County, Iowa, from its earliest settlement to 1909 (1909). See the original pages. Wording is the original; obvious scanning errors have been corrected, and a few may remain.