George W. Miller

As printed in 1902

GEORGE W. MILLER.

As a representative of an honored pioneer family, of the educational interests of Crawford county and now of the insurance business, George W. Miller is widely and favorably known throughout this section of the state. He has attained to an enviable position in the business world entirely through his own unaided efforts. Faithfulness to duty and strict adherence to a fixed purpose in life will do more to advance a man's interests than wealth or advantageous circumstances. The successful men of the day are they who have planned their own advancement and have accomplished it in spite of many obstacles and with a certainty that could have been attained only through their personal efforts. It has been along such lines that George W. Miller has won and maintained a creditable position in business circles in his native county, where he is now occupying the position of secretary of the Crawford County Farmers' Mutual Insurance Company and of the Crawford County Agricultural Society.

He was born in Todd township in 1859, a son of John D. and Mary (Kahl) Miller. The father came to Ohio with his parents in 1837 and located in Richland county. He was born in Cumberland county, Pennsylvania, in 181 3, and his parents, George M. and Cartherine (Rex) Miller, were also natives of the Keystone state. Having arrived at years of maturity, in 1840 John D. Miller married Miss Mary Deal, and their union was blessed with five children, three of whom are yet living: Nathaniel M., living in California; Annias D., a resident of Wyandot county, Ohio; and William A., of Seneca county, this state. Andrew J. died in 1901, in California; and a daughter died in childhood. Annias D. and William A. served through the Civil war as defenders of the Union. The mother of these children died in 1852. and in 1855 Mr. Miller wedded Mrs. Mary Barga. a widow who had two children, Albert and Lovina. She was the daughter of Henry and Susan (Rank) Kahl, who emigrated to Richland county, Ohio, from Pennsylvania, at an early date. The subject of this review is the only child born unto this marriage. His father came to Crawford county in 1852 and located on a farm just north of Oceola, where both he and his wife spent their remaining days, the later dying in 1890, at the age of sixty-six years, and the father in 1896, at the age of eighty-three. Both were consistent Christian people, and enjoyed the respect of all who knew them.

The childhood days of George W. Miller were spent on the old homestead which he now owns. His education was mostly acquired in the common schools, supplemented by a course in the Northwestern Normal, of Fostoria, Ohio. Having qualified himself for teaching he became a followed of that profession and for a number of years performed the duties of an instructor in the schoolroom through the winter months, while in the summer seasons he engaged in farming. Having the ability to impart readily and with accuracy to others the knowledge he had gained, and being also an excellent disciplinarian, he proved a competent educator, giving excellent satisfaction. During the last three years of his school work he was employed as principal of the Oceola schools. He did much to advance the efficiency of the schools and his labor was attended with gratifying results. He is now president of the county board of school examiners and of the Ohio Teachers' Reading

Circle of the county, thus keeping in close touch with the educational interests of this part of the state.

In 1880 Mr. Miller was united in marriage to Miss Dell A. Sigler, the youngest daughter of George E. and Harriett (Horrick) Sigler, of Todd township. Her parents were among the pioneers of Crawford county, having come here in the early '40s. They were the parents of four children: Mary L., Elliot W., Rosamond E. and Dell A. Mrs. Sigler, who was the daughter of John and Mary (Grimes) Horrick, died in 1898, but Mr. Sigler is still living on a farm in Todd township. He is a son of Jacob and Rachel (Hines) Sigler and is a native of Pennsylvania, while his wife was born in Ashland county, Ohio. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Miller has been born but one child, Minta M.. who is in the senior year in the high school of Bucvrus. In that city her parents have a pleasant home, justly celebrated for its warmhearted hospitality.

In 1898 Mr. Miller was elected secretary of the Crawford County Farmers' Mutual Insurance Company, which was organized in 1877 and now is the strongest farmers' mutual in the state. In 1899 he was elected secretary of the Crawford County Agricultural Society, and since his election the society has introduced the educational feature in their fair and it has proven one of the best attractions. A new hall has been constructed especially for this feature, which is filled each year with the best work from the schools of the county. Mr. Miller also served for fourteen years as treasurer and clerk of Todd township. In his political views, like his father, he is a stalwart Democrat, and takes an active interest in the work of the party, doing all he can for its substantial advancement and success. He is a man of strong purpose, of sterling worth and of unquestioned integrity and fidelity to duty, and enjoys the high regard of the people among whom his entire life has been passed.

As printed in A centennial biographical history of Crawford County, Ohio .. (1902). See the original pages. Wording is the original; obvious scanning errors have been corrected, and a few may remain.