George W. Miller

As printed in 1912

GEORGE W. MILLER.

We rarely find two persons in every-day life who attribute their success in their different spheres to similar qualities. Hard work and plodding industry paved the way for one, good judgment and a keen sense of values for another, intuition and a well balanced mind for a third. An admixture of some of the qualities above named, emphasized by hard work and plodding industry, has been responsible for the success of George W. Miller, one of the best known and highly honored citizen of Mound Prairie township, Jasper county, where he owns a valuable and attractive farmstead, having been known for many decades as one of the substantial and leading farmers and stock men of the county.

Mr. Miller was born in New York state, December 19, 1835. He is the son of John Miller, Sr., and Maria (DeGaw) Miller, natives of the state of New York, the father of Albany county. They grew up and were married in their native state, and they began farming for a livelihood, finally owning a good farm in Fulton county, New York. In 1845 they moved to Kendall county, Illinois, coming by boat over the Great Lakes, and they bought two hundred acres in that county, making their home in that county until the father's death in 1852. John Miller, Sr., was a soldier in the war of 1812. He was a man of sterling qualities, a typical frontiersman, hardy, brave and yet gentle in disposition. In the year 1853 the mother of the subject brought her children, George W., John and Sarah, to Jasper county, Iowa, settling in Sherman township. Here the two sons bought two hundred and twelve acres in partnership, and they lived there until 1865 when George W., of this sketch, sold out and bought eighty acres in found Prairie township. Here he prospered from the first through his close application and good management, and he added to his original purchase until he now owns six hundred acres, all in Mound Prairie township. When he first came to this place he found a wild country, there being only two houses within a radius of four miles, the raw prairie stretching beyond the sight in all directions. He set out trees, built bridges, erected buildings and fences and in due course of time had a model farm. He has succeeded beyond the average person as a general farmer and stock raiser. He has a commodious and pleasant home and everything about his place denotes thrift and good management. He is still active and hale for one of his age. the result of wholesome living and right thinking.

Politically, Mr. Miller is a Republican, but he has never sought to be a public man. He was married on January 20, 1857. to Emily Helphrey, a native of Ohio, and the daughter of Israel Helphrey, who settled in Jasper county, Iowa, in 1854.

To Mr. and Mrs. Miller nine children have been born, named as follows: Stephen, deceased; Melville T. lives in Metz, Iowa; Mrs. Clara Brock; Clarence; Mary is deceased; Mrs. Sadie Hardinbrook; Ora May is deceased; Mrs. Berta Baker is deceased; Mrs. Georgia Emmack, of Mound Prairie township.

As printed in Past and present of Jasper County, Iowa (1912). See the original pages. Wording is the original; obvious scanning errors have been corrected, and a few may remain.