MILLER, Portus M.

MILLER

Posted By: Karon Velau (email)
Date: 5/31/2021 at 14:56:44

Portus M. Miller
born in 1859, Vermont

P. M. Miller, a young man of sterling qualities, and one of the first to identify himself with the opening up of Silver Creek Township, Ida County, Iowa, was born in Vermont in 1859, second in the family of A. M. and Sarah J. Miller. Both his parents were born and reared in Vermont. At an early day they emigrated to Marshall county, Iowa, and settled on a farm, and there they still reside.
The subject of our sketch was a youth when his parents moved to Iowa, and in Marshall County he was reared and educated, completing his education in the high school at Marshalltown. In 1880 he came to Ida County, and he and his brother opened up a farm of 160 acres in section 29, fencing and improving it. To his original holding he has since added eighty acres more. He has erected a nice two-story residence, 18 x 26 feet, with an L, 10 x 12 feet. His stables, granaries, other outbuildings, etc., are all in good order, and a beautiful grove of two and a half acres is a pleasing feature of his farm.
Mr. Miller was married, in 1892, to Miss Oviatt, daughter of E. L. and Rebecca (Hoffman) Oviatt, natives of Ohio and Pennsylvania, respectively. Mr. and Mrs. Oviatt were pioneer settlers of Iowa, and are still living in this state. Mr. Miller and his wife have three children: Ida May, William Robert and Ray Gilkerson. Politically, our subject is a Republican. He takes an active interest in local affairs and at different times has held the offices of School Director, Supervisor and Constable. He and his wife are both prominent members of the Methodist Episcopal Church, in which he has served as Trustee and Steward. In Sabbath-school work they also take an active part, he being Superintendent and she a teacher. Mr. Miller has earned what he has by his own unaided efforts. He is a straightforward business man of integrity and ability, and has the confidence and respect of his fellow-citizens.
Source: Biographical History of Crawford, Ida, and Sac Counties, Iowa, 1893, p.580