M. E. Miller

As printed in 1905

M. E. MILLER.

The representative farmer and estimable citizen of whom the biographer writes in this connection is a native of Pennsylvania and a son of William and Mary (Davis) Miller, the father born in the Keystone state and the mother in Indiana. These parents were married in Pennsylvania and spent the greater part of their lives in that commonwealth, their union resulting in the birth of eight sons and three daughters. Five of the children have always lived in their native state, the subject and a sister, Mrs. Pleasant Cook, of Somerville, being the only members of the family in Butler county.

M. E. Miller, whose birth occurred in I'avette county, Pennsylvania, on January

23, 1844, was reared a farmer and enjoyed the advantages of the district school, which he attended as opportunities afforded until acquiring a thorough knowledge of the fundamental branches. He remained on the family homestead until 1864, when he came to Butler county. Ohio, to visit a brother and sister who had previously removed to this part of the state, and, being pleased with the country, he decided to make it his permanent place of above. To earn a livelihood he worked for a considerable length of time as a farm hand and in this way supported himself until his marriage, which was solemnized in 1867 with Miss Miranda Cook, who was born in this county in 1847, her parents moving here a number of years before from their native state of South Carolina.

Immediately after taking with himself a wife Mr. Miller rented a farm in Milford, which he now owns and cultivates and, setting up a modest domestic establishment, addressed himself to the task of making a home of his own. After farming a number of years for a share of the proceeds, he succeeded by persevering industry and economy in saving sufficient means to purchase the place on which he lived, since which time his progress has been very commendable, as he is well situated to enjoy the fruits of his frugality and thrift, his farm being in excellent condition, with many substantial improvements, and his home plentifully supplied with the comforts and conveniences calculated to make country life not only prosperous but a very pleasing and desirable experience as well. The career of Mr. Miller has been that of a common, unassuming man. a man of the people, whose industrious habits, sterling integrity and sturdy worth have gained the esteem and confidence of his fellow citizens and bound them to him in bonds of friendship like unto bands of steel.. Honesty and devotion to duty and right are among his more pronounced characteristics, to which may be added mature judgment, sound common sense and other estimable qualities of head and heart that never fail to win the good will of all with whom he has relations of a business or social nature. Mr. Miller’s political creed embodies the principles and doctrines of the Democratic party, which he has earnestly endorsed and supported ever since old enough to exercise the rights and privileges of citizenship. He served six years as trustee of Milford township and discharged the duties of the position with credit to himself and to the satisfaction of the public, his administration being straightforward and business-like, and he left the office without a stain upon the record which he so faithfully and honorably made. Mr. Miller has served a number of terms on the board of education, of which he has been a member for the period of three years His fraternal relations include membership with Lodge No. 665, Knights of Pythias, at Somerville. in which he has passed all the chairs, his present title in the order being that of past chancellor. He also belongs to Covenant Lodge, No. 54, Independent Order of Odd Fellows, at Somerville, in which lodge he has filled all the chairs. *

Mr. Miller’s mind early yielded to the gentle but powerful influence of religious training and for many years he has been an earnest and consistent member of the Presbyterian church, holding at this time the position of elder in the local organization to which he and his wife belong. Mr. and

Mrs. Miller have had three children, all daughters, the oldest of whom, Florence M., was born in 186c) and died in the bloom of young womanhood in the year 1888; Anna O., whose birth occurred in 1871, is pursuing her studies in the Normal University at Valparaiso, Indiana, and Della B., born in 1873, departed this life in 1892.

As printed in Centennial History of Butler County, Ohio (1905). See the original pages. Wording is the original; obvious scanning errors have been corrected, and a few may remain.