In the books' own words, not ours, with obvious scanning errors fixed. The later printing (1915) is folded below the first. Families often supplied these stories to the publisher, so check key dates.
From History of Preble County Ohio: Her People, Industries and Institutions (1915), A Biographical history of Preble County, Ohio : compendium of national biography (1900)
ISAAC MILLER.
A worthy representative of the financial interests of Preble county is Isaac Miller, whose business and executive ability is of high order, making him fully competent to occupy his present position as cashier of the Eldorado branch of the Farmers’ Bank of New Madison, Ohio. He was born in Monroe township, Preble county, on the 19th of January, 1855, and is a son of Levi Miller, of whom mention is just made. He was reared in his native township, acquiring his education in the common schools of the neighborhood and farming was the occupation that claimed much of his time and attention in his early manhood. On the ist of January, 1887, however, he began dealing in agricultural implements in connection with his brother-in-law, W. S. Coblentz, an association which was maintained for three years, after which Mr. Miller returned to the farm. He became the cashier>r of the Farmers’ Bank of Eldorado in June of 1899, and in this capacity has since acceptably served.
On the 22nd of May, 1879, Mr. Miller married Miss Martha A. Beard, daughter of Jacob and Mary E. (Byers) Beard, both natives of Maryland and now deceased. Mrs. Miller was born in Preble county. Unto the above marriage were born three children, namely: Hallie, Maud L. and
Carl D.
Public spirited and progressive, Mr. Miller has withheld his support from no measure or movement which he believes will prove of general benefit. In 1887 he was elected justice of the peace and for twelve years has held the position, a fact which indicates his personal popularity and the confidence reposed in him by his fellow townsmen. His decisions are fair and impartial, and neither fear nor favor can cause him to turn from a course which be believes to be right. He has also settled many large states, and no trust reposed in him has ever been betrayed. Pie served for two years as township trustee, has for many years been a member of the school board and for four years has been treasurer of the Eldorado school district. He is now serving his third term as mayor of Eldorado and exercises his official prerogatives in support of such measures as will promote the substantial growth and improvement of the locality. In politics he is a Democrat, believing firmly in the principles of the party. Socially he is connected with the Odd Fellows society, at West Manchester, and with Eldorado Lodge, No. 389, K. P., in which he has filled all the offices. He has been chosen to represent his local lodge in the grand lodge of Ohio, at Columbus and Piqua, and in his life he exemplifies the benevolent principles of the fraternity. Such is the record of one who has been an important factor in the public improvement as well as the business interests of his native county. His code of morals is such as to impel him to a just consideration of the rights of all with whom he has been brought in contact and to a conscientious observance of all the proprieties of life. Thus he has retained throughout his career friendships which have grown stronger with more intimate acquaintance and all who know him esteem him for his sterling worth.
As printed in A Biographical history of Preble County, Ohio : compendium of national biography (1900). See the original pages. Wording is the original; obvious scanning errors have been corrected, and a few may remain.
ISAAC MILLER.
The life records of self-made men will invariably show that untiring energy has constituted the basis of success. True there are other elements which enter into and conserve the advance of personal interest, such as perseverance, discrimination and the mastering of expedients. The foundation of all achievement, however, is earnest, persistent labor. At the outset of his career, Isaac Miller recognized this fact and he has never sought any royal road to prosperity and independence. He began work earnestly and diligently in order to advance his material interests, and the result is that he is now numbered among the progressive, successful and influential business men of Preble county.
Isaac Miller, the president of the Farmers Banking Company, of Eldorado, is a native of Monroe township, Preble county. He was born on a farm, January 19, 1855, and is the son of Levi and Susanna (Wehrly) Miller. Levi Miller was born in Lancaster county, Pennsylvania, in September, 1819, and Susanna Wehrly was born in Monroe township. She died in 1907. Levi Miller was fourteen years old when he came with his mother and a colony of others to Preble county, Ohio. His mother, with her two sons and four daughters, located in Monroe township and there she purchased a small farm of eighty acres, all of which was heavily covered with timber.. This land was cleared and improved and there she lived until her death at the age of ninety years. All of the family were reared in this locality and nourished by this little farm. The Wehrly family is all deceased except two, one of whom, Noah, served three years during the Civil War.
Mr. and Mrs. Levi Miller were the parents of thirteen children, ten of whom are living, Samuel, Andrew, Polly J., Isaac, Catherine, Lydia, Mary A., George, Mina and Melzina. The three deceased are Caroline, Emma and Anna.
Isaac Miller, the subject of this sketch, was reared on a farm and received his education in the district schools, which he attended in the winter. In the summer time he worked on the farm. He remained under the parental roof until he was twenty-three years of age.
Mr. Miller was married in 1878 to Martha A. Beard. She was born in Preble county, Ohio, and her parents were natives of Maryland. She was educated and reared in Monroe township. She came of a family of eleven children, J. Q., Nelson, W. H.f David, J. D., George E., Franklin C., M. L., Martha A., Mary C. and Emma A. Ten of these children are living at the present time.
To Isaac and Martha A. (Beard) Miller four children have been born, Hallie P., Maude H., Carl D. and Helen. Hallie P. was born in September, 1879, and was graduated from the Eldorado high school. She is the wife of Albert Schlientz, of Brookville, Ohio. Maude H. was graduated from the same school and is the wife of Frank W. Schreel, of Greenville, Ohio. Carl D., born in 1887, was educated in the Eldorado schools and was graduated from the Miami Commercial School at Dayton, Ohio, at the age of eighteen. He married Myrtle Snyder and is now cashier of the bank, of which his father is president. Helen was born in July, 1902, and is a student in the public schools.
When H. G. Bloom organized the Farmers Bank in June of 1899, Mr. Miller became cashier and served in that capacity until October 2, 1906. On November 1, 1906, the Farmers Banking Company was organized, with Mr. Miller as cashier of the new bank. He served in this capacity until July, I9I3 when the bank of Eldorado severed its connections with the bank at New Paris, and New Madison, and was reorganized. Isaac Miller was made president, the other officers being A. J. Hamilton, vice-president; and C. D. Miller, cashier; the directors being Isaac Miller, W. A. McClure, George E. Beard, Samuel Miller, A. J. Hamilton and C. D. Miller. The paid up capital stock of this company is fifteen thousand dollars and its surplus is thirty-five hundred dollars.
Isaac Miller, in addition to his interest in the bank, also owns a farm of one hundred and thirty-seven acres in Darke county, Ohio. He is one of the live wires in this part of Preble county, Ohio, and a representative citizen in every respect. Mr. Miller is a member of West Manchester Lodge
No. 520, Independent Order of Odd Fellows, and of Eldorado Lodge No. 389, Knights of Pythias, of which he is past chancellor. He was a charter member of the latter lodge. Mr. Miller is independent in politics. He was one of the township trustees two years and served as justice of the peace for fifteen years. He has served as a member of the board of education of the Eldorado school district for the past thirty years and is the present clerk of the board. Mr. Miller also served four years as mayor of Eldorado, resigning that position to become a banker.
Isaac Miller is a man of more than local influence. He possesses the natural qualities that mark a leader among men, whether in business or politics. He is a man of initiative, and is favorably endowed with the disposition which has won him a host of friends.
As printed in History of Preble County Ohio: Her People, Industries and Institutions (1915). See the original pages. Wording is the original; obvious scanning errors have been corrected, and a few may remain.
Named in this biography: George E. Beard (b. 1863) Levi Miller (b. 1817)
The printed record stops around 1915. We trace your line from there down to you, with every source cited.