Allen E. Miller

As printed in 1915

ALLEN E. MILLER.

Allen E. Miller, who carries on general farming on section 17, Yellow Springs township, is one of the native sons of Des Moines county, his birth having occurred in Franklin township on the 16th of December, 1867. His parents were Miles M. and Sarah J. (Sheppard) Miller, who were also natives of this county, the former born November 11, 1842, and the latter April 12, 1846. The mother is now living in Mediapolis. The Miller family has long been represented in this county, five generations of the family having lived here. The great-grandfather, John Miller, came with his son, John S., in 1836, the family home being established near the Green College schoolhouse. His last days were spent in Franklin township. The grandparents of Allen E. Miller were John S. and Malinda (Bishop) Miller, natives of Indiana. They arrived in this county in 1836, settling in Franklin township, where Mr. Miller entered land from the government. Iowa was at that time part of the Northwest Territory and it seemed that the work of progress and development had scarcely been begun within the borders of the present state. He became an active factor in advancing the agricultural interests of Des Moines county and in other ways contributed to the upbuilding of this section. In the later years of their lives he and his wife took up their above in Mediapolis, where he passed away in 1877, while her death occurred about 1878. They had a family of two sons and five daughters, including Miles M. Miller.

The last named was engaged in farming until about 1903, when he retired and took up his above in the town, there spending his remaining days, his death occurring September 7, 1913. At the time of the Civil war he responded to the country's call for troops, enlisting in Company C, Thirtieth Iowa Infantry, with which he served for three years. He joined the army as a private and was raised to the rank of sergeant. He was slightly wounded in the battle of Missionary Ridge, and he participated in many important engagements. Some time after his return from the war he removed to Mount Pleasant, where he spent four years in order to give his children the benefit of education in the city schools there. The remainder of his life was devoted actively to farming. He started out with one hundred and sixty acres of the old Sheppard place and as the years passed on won a substantial measure of prosperity, having at his death six hundred and twelve acres all in one body. In addition to tilling the soil and the production of crops best adapted to climatic conditions he engaged in stock-raising. He was active as a stalwart supporter of the republican party and was at one time mayor of Mediapolis, in which connection he exercised his official prerogatives in support of various measures for the public good. He held membership in the Presbyterian church in Mediapolis and also in the Grand Army post there.

His wife is a daughter of William Sheppard, a native of New Jersey, who came to Iowa in 1845 " settled in Franklin township. He taught school in a log schoolhouse in Round Prairie and otherwise was identified with the early development and progress of the county. He was not long permitted to enjoy his new home, however, for death claimed him during the cholera scourge of 1850 while he was hauling lumber for his house. His widow remained upon the farm with her six small children to the time of her death, which occurred in 1868. She bore the maiden name of Phoebe Husted. It was their daughter Sarah J. who became the wife of Miles M. Miller, and by this marriage there were born ten children: Allen E.; Eva, the deceased wife of E. B. Conklin; Frances, who died at the age of fifteen years; Cora, who died in infancy; Bessie, who died at the age of five years; John S., of Yellow Springs township; Mattie, the wife of T. A. Merrill, of Mediapolis; Hattie, the wife of F. L. Coe, of Mediapolis; and twins who died in infancy.

Allen E. Miller has spent his entire life in this county and has always followed the occupation of farming. He owns one hundred and twenty acres which originally belonged to his father and his farm is a well developed and highly improved tract of land equipped with many modern accessories and conveniences. He has carefully and systematically carried on his farm work and his efforts have been attended with a gratifying measure of prosperity. He has also been president of the Mediapolis Mutual Telephone Company, with which he was thus connected for four years.

In 1888 was celebrated the marriage of Mr. Miller and Miss Cora Lee Lusk, who was born in Franklin township, May 17, 1867, a daughter of Hamilton Marion and Helen Mar (Gillette) Lusk, natives of Indiana and of Ohio respectively. The mother died August 3, 1900, at the age of sixty-two years, and the father passed away in 1870 at the age of thirty-five. They were pioneer residents of this county. Mr. and Mrs. Miller are the parents of six children: Lena Hazel, now the wife of Theodore Blake, of Huron township; John Russell; June Carroll; Orviile Hobart; Daniel Lusk; and Helen Frances.

Mr. Miller and his family attend the Presbyterian church, in which he holds membership. He belongs also to the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and gives his political allegiance to the republican party. He is now serving for the eighth year as township trustee, a fact which indicates his fidelity in the office. He is also a trustee of the Mediapolis Presbyterian church. He takes great interest in the Mediapolis Chautauqua and has camped with them every year since the organization was formed. He stands at all times for progress and improvement along material, political, social, intellectual and moral lines, and his influence has been a potent element for good. He represents one of the old and honored pioneer families and the work instituted by his great-grandfather and his grandfather and carried on by his father is being continued by him. All have borne their part in the work of general improvement and the family name has ever been an honored one in this county.

As printed in History of Des Moines County, Iowa (1915). See the original pages. Wording is the original; obvious scanning errors have been corrected, and a few may remain.