Buena Vista County, IA
USGenWeb Project

Miller, John A., residing on section 27, Storm Lake township, where he is successfully engaged in faring and stock-raising, is well known as a prosperous and progressive citizen of Buena Vista county. Born in Germany, September 3, 1855, he was there reared and educated, and in 1874 married Miss Margaret Groat, also a native of the fatherland, born March 16, 1856. Tow of their children were born in that country, and in 1883 Mr. Miller emigrated with his little family to the United States, locating in Storm Lake, Iowa. Scorning no employment that would yield him an honest living, he at first worked at anything that came to hand but later engaged in truck gardening, successfully following that line of activity for ten years. He first rented land but later, when his financial resources had increased, bought a tract of twenty acres east of Storm Lake. On selling this place he purchased the farm where he now resides on section 27, Storm Lake township, situated within a mile and a half of Storm Lake. The property embraces eighty acres and he has placed thereon many substantial improvements which enhance its value and attractiveness. He has added to and remodeled the residence, erected three good barns and likewise planted an orchard. His well directed labor and sound judgment have brought him a most gratifying measure of prosperity in his farming operations and as a stock-raiser he has also met with well merited success.

Unto Mr. and Mrs. Miller have been born seven children, namely: Professor Harry Miller, who is at the head of a school at Calmar; John, who recently drew a claim in Rosebud reservation and is going there to farm; Treno, a graduate of the Storm Lake high school, who is now a teacher of this county; Margaret, the wife of Floyd Binkley, of Canning, South Dakota; Mary, who is a school teacher; Albert H., a student in the Storm Lake high school; and William, who passed away at the age of two years. The parents are justly proud of their children, to whom they have given the advantages of a good education, and all are well known in Storm Lake and throughout Buena Vista county.

In his political views Mr. Miller is a republican but has never sought nor desired office, preferring to give his undivided attention to his private business interests. He is a faithful member of the Methodist Episcopal church at Storm Lake, and his upright, honorable career has won for him the respect and esteem of all with whom he has been associated. When he arrived in this county twenty-five years ago, a stranger in a foreign land, he had to depend entirely upon industry and diligence in the struggle for a competence. These qualities, however, he possessed in abundant measure and in their utilization has gained the success that now entitles him to representation among the enterprising and substantial citizens of this county.