Martin B. Miller

As printed in 1882

MARTIN B. MILLER. Martin B., son of Daniel B. and Nancy A. (Boots) Miller, was born in Ward Township, Randolph Co., Ind., March 16, 1833. His early years were spent in the ordinary routine of farm life, with only the district school of that day as a means of obtaining an education. After he was of age, he determined to strive for a more liberal culture. He attended White Water College at Centreville, Ind., during several sessions of 1853-54 and '55, paying his way in part by such services as he could render in the care of the college building. He afterward attended a part of two terms at Asbury University, in 1860. He taught during the winter of 1867, and in the autumn of that year entered Miami University, at Oxford, Ohio. In February, 1868, he began the study of law with Judge James Brown, of Winchester, where he remained until the following autumn when he went to Missouri. Reaching the end of the railroad at Tipton, in that State, he walked one hundred miles to Browning's Ferry, where he remained the following winter, teaching four months. In the autumn of the following year, he returned to Winchester and engaged for a year in the practice of law with Judge Jero Smith. In the winter of 18111-62, he attended the law department of Butler University, graduating at the close of the school year. In the summer following, he enlisted in the United States service, was commissioned as Lieutenant and recruited Company E, of the Eighty-fourth Regiment Indiana Volunteer Infantry, upon the mustering in of which he was made Captain, which position he filled for twenty-eight months. In January, 1861, he was commissioned Major, and soon after promoted to Lieutenant Colonel of his regiment, end for good conduct brevetted Colonel. He was mustered out of the service June 14, 1805. He with his command participated in many of the most arduous and dangerous campaigns of the war through Kentucky, West Virginia, Tennessee, Alabama and Georgia, being engaged in the battles of Chickamauga, Mission Ridge, Buzzard Roost,

Rooky Face, Dallas, Resacs, Pino Monntain, Altoona, Gulp's Farm, Peach Treo Creek, Konesaw, Atlanta, Jonesboro, Lovejoy, Merrel's Mills, Franklin, Nashville, besides many others of lesser note. Through all these conflicts he passed unhurt. The only time he was ever struck was at Chickamauga, where a part of his moustache was cut off by a bullet. After his discharge from the service, he engaged in the practice of law in Winchester with Leander J. Monks as a partner, under the firm name of Miller & Monks, which continued until 1871. In June, 1872, he purchased an Interest in the flouring mills at Winchester, but sold again the following winter. He then purchased an interest in a manufacturing business at Decatur, Ind., where he continued until 1876, when he resumed the practice of his profession in Winchester. He was two years alone; then for a time in partnership with Alexander Guilett, and at the present with Hon. John Enon Neff, under the firm name of Miller & Neff. Col. Miller is Democratic in politics, firm and consistent in his advocacy of his party principles. He has never sought office, but in 1808 ran for Prosecutor in the Thirteenth Judicial District, composed of the counties of Randolph, Jay, Blackford and Wayne, beating his Republican competitor in all except Wayne County, which, of course, "snowed him under." In 1880, Col. Miller led the hopeless but gallant campaign in the Sixth Congressional District against Gen. Thomas M. Browne, and while defeated, he carried his still party vote. Col. Miller is a member of the I. 0. O. F., in which excellent institution he takes high rank. He is not a member of any church, but is liberal toward all theological opinions. On February 4, 1864, he was married to Miss 8arah J. Aker, daughter of Andrew Aker, of Winchester. Mrs. Col. Miller is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, a lady of excellent social character, and has proved herself a worthy companion in all respect. They are the parents of three children, only one of whom survive. They have an exceedingly elegant home, are surrounded by all the comforts and many of the luxuries of life, and enjoy the prospect of a highly desirable future.

As printed in History of Randolph County, Indiana with illustrations and biographical sketches of some of its prominent men and pioneers : to which are appended maps of its several townships (1882). See the original pages. Wording is the original; obvious scanning errors have been corrected, and a few may remain.