W. F. Miller

MILLER, DULLYBONE, SHELLER

Posted By: Tammy (email)
Date: 11/15/2011 at 22:41:41

W. F. MILLER, an enterprising agriculturist residing on section 9, Melrose Township, Grundy County, is one of the worthy citizens that claim Franklin County, Pa., as the place of their birth. The date of that event is July 8, 1836, and he is a son of Jacob and Susan (Dullybone) Miller. The father was a farmer and blacksmith, and in 1848 removed with his family to Illinois, casting his lot among the early settlers of Carroll County, where he engaged in farming and made his home until his death. The family numbered thirteen children, nine of whom are now living.

Mr. Miller of this sketch was a youth of thirteen years when he left the state of his nativity and became a resident of Illinois. He was reared to manhood in Carroll County, in the usual manner of farmer’s sons, and at the age of twenty-nine years he entered the service of his country, becoming a member of the boys in blue of Company A, One Hundred and Forty-sixth Illinois Infantry. He continued with his command during the remainder of the war, and was then mustered out, on the 8th of July, 1865.

When hostilities had ceased, Mr. Miller returned to the north, and soon afterward came to Iowa in search of a location. The spring of 1866 witnessed his arrival in Grundy County, and he settled in Melrose Township, upon a rented farm, where he made his home for a year. On the expiration of that period he came to his present farm, which has now been his place of residence for about twenty-seven years. The land was in its primitive condition; in fact, the entire neighborhood was undeveloped, and there were only six houses in the township. Every building and improvement upon these places indicates his handiwork and stands as a monument to his thrift and enterprise, while the highly cultivated fields yield to him a golden tribute in return for the care and labor he bestows upon them.

Mr. Miller married Miss Mary Sheller, and unto them were born seven children, five of whom are still living, namely: Lilly, Cynthia, Alberta, Orian, and Frances L. Ida May died at the age of twelve years, and Clara Etta is also deceased. The family have a pleasant home, situated in the midst of a fine farm of two hundred and forty acres. Mr. Miller’s time and attention are devoted to general farming and stock-raising, and in his business dealings he has met with good success, accumulating a comfortable competence through enterprise and well directed efforts.

Although he has led a busy and useful life, Mr. Miller has yet found time to serve his fellow-townsmen in public positions. He has served both as School Director and Trustee, and for seven years creditably and acceptably filled the office of Justice of the Peace. In political sentiment he is a stalwart supporter of Democratic principles.

Source:
Portrait and Biographical Record
of Jasper, Marshall and Grundy Counties, Iowa
1894