In the book's own words, not ours, with obvious scanning errors fixed. A few names of people born after 1905 are withheld for privacy. Families often supplied these stories to the publisher, so check key dates.
Born 1880
From History of Henry County, Illinois (1910)
OTTO HERMAN MILLER.
Otto Herman Miller, a member of the agricultural community of Edford township, where, on sections 34 and 35, he owns a farm of two hundred and forty acres, is a native of that township, and was born February 17, 1880. His parents are Gustav E. and Lena Paulina (Pobanz) Miller, of whom extended mention is made in a preceding sketch. His boyhood days were spent upon his father's farm in the township of his birth, and he attended the common schools of that district, becoming proficient in the English branches taught and also in the speaking and writing of German. Until he became twenty-one he gave his father the benefit of his labor, and then, upon attaining his majority, was paid wages for the five additional years he remained with him. In 1906 Mr. Miller married and began life for himself, renting of his father the farm on which he now lives and which he bought in 1909 for one hundred and forty dollars an acre. Here, in addition to general agriculture, he has engaged largely in the raising and feeding of stock, which he ships in quantity to market. Still a young man, he has many years in which to prove his skill as a miller of the soil, and there is every reason to anticipate that his success will equal that of his father.
In Edford township, March i8, 1906, Mr. Miller wedded Miss Mary Erdman. She was born in that part of the county, June 27, 1884, and is a daughter of John and Anna (Hintz) Erdman, who are residents of Edford township. She received a good education in the common schools and also obtained a knowledge of German which enables her to read and write the language. Mr. and Mrs. Miller have no child living, [name withheld], born March 19, 1907, died ten days after birth.
Mr. Miller is in sympathy with the platform of the republican party, but while he never misses an opportunity to exercise his right of franchise, he has not sought for any public office within the gift of his fellow citizens. In his religious faith he is a Lutheran, and with his wife attends the services of the German Evangelical church.
As printed in History of Henry County, Illinois (1910). See the original pages. Wording is the original; obvious scanning errors have been corrected, and a few may remain.
The printed record stops around 1910. We trace your line from there down to you, with every source cited.