George Miller

As printed in 1881

GEORGE MILLER, retired farmer, Akron, whose portrait will be found in this work, has been a resident of the State since 1810; was born Dec. 14, 1807, in Perry Co., Penn., eldest child of Jacob and Sarah (Lutman) Miller. The Millers are of German stock, and were among the better class of that nationality who left the " Faderland " to cast their lots with America and its varied interests. At the age of 3, our subject " came West " with his parents, who made their first settlement in Can field Township, Trumbull Co. He was a carpenter by trade, but his worldly possessions were very limited indeed. His first purchase of land was 60 acres, which he partially cleared. The country at this time was a dreary wilderness, the inhabitants were very few and much scattered. He immediately began the arduous task of clearing a spot for cultivation, and soon had a cabin erected in which he resided until 1816, when he moved to what is now Wadsworth Township, Medina Co.

(then Portage), where he purchased 120 acres of Gen. Wadsworth at $3 per acre. Here he found as uninhabitable a place of settlement as in Trumbull Co. The nearest settlement on the east was that of Joseph Harris, of Harrisville Township, sixteen miles distant. Upon this place he spent the remainder of his life, dying in 1859; his wife preceded him nearly a score of years. Of the family born to this couple were George and his twin, who died young; Samuel, who died aged 1 year, Petsey, who died at 14; David was killed at Akron while in the discharge of his duties as fireman at a fire; John; Aaron died while on his wa- to California in 1851; Catharine married Reuben Baughman; Mary now Mrs. Alexander Beck; Harriet, now Mrs. Shaflfer; and Susan married Henry Parmelee. George was raised to hard labor; what schooling he obtained was the plainest rudiments of the cabin schools, but was increased by careful study at his father's fireside. His father being a carpenter and cabinet-maker, George soon learned the use of tools and assisted his father in his labors as a house-builder, and manufacturing such articles as were required by the early settlers who came to their western homes without tables, (chairs, or scarcely any furniture. Coffins were manufactured for the unfortunate ones, which were split out of logs, then hewn out to encase the mortal remains of the lone pioneer. Mr. Miller left home at the age of 23, made his first purchase of land in Sharon of 60 acres of unimproved land, which cost him $4 per acre; he afterward added 1 5 acres, and then 27. After a residence of three years, he returned to Wadsworth, where he purchased 100 acres, which he cleared up, remaining on the same until 1853, when he moved to his present place on Tract 4, which has ever since been his place of living. In 1831, he married Rebecca Baughman, daughter of Paul Baughman. Upon Mr. Miller's arrival here he purchased of Gov. Tod 240 acres at $25 per acre. He has now 231 here, and 120 in Wadsworth. His faithful wife was taken from him in the j'ear 1868, leaving him four children — Paul, now in California; Sarah, who married S. Coplin, and has five children — Charles, George, RoUin, Homer and Oscar; Martha married Frank Springer, now of Medina, having one child, Fred, by her first husband; John F., at home, he married Charity Brouse, daughter of William Brouse, of Wadsworth;

John F. has one child, Elton. Paul married Matilda Horn, and by her has two sons. Mr. Miller has already passed the limit allotted to mankind and is now spending the eve of his life in the sweet quiet of his home. He is held in high esteem by all who know him. Politically he has been Democratic, and always true to the principles embraced by his party. Religiously, he was reared a Lutheran, but later in life he has become impressed with the doctrine of universal salvation. He has been a man of industrious habits, and been prospered in all of his business undertakings; he has taken an active part in whatever was calculated to advance the interests of the people at large; has been a substantial member of the community, and liberal in his contributions to charitable and educational purposes. He has devoted his life to agricultural pursuits, never seeking the publicity- of office, yet, at the solicitations of friends, has filled several offices of trust in the community. While in Medina Co., he served as Justice of the Peace, Township Trustee, Treasurer and Assessor. Acting independently of sector denomination, yet has favored everything known to be right and opposed to wrong; honestly and open* laboring to promote good morals and advance the common interests of all good citizens. By his frugality and industry he has acquired a handsome property, and is one of the self-made men of the county.

As printed in History of Summit County, with an outline sketch of Ohio (1881). See the original pages. Wording is the original; obvious scanning errors have been corrected, and a few may remain.