W[illiam]. M[ontgomery]. MILLER, farmer, section 23, Clinton Township, was born in Rockbridge County, Virginia, February 2, 1821, son of Henry and Catharine MILLER. He was reared on a farm and received his education in the common schools of his county. He was married August 26, 1846, to Miss Mary McKERNY, also of Rockbridge County, born in 1820, daughter of John McKERNY. Mrs. MILLER died July 17, 1848, and March 14, 1855, Mr. MILLER was married to Miss M[ary] J. KNIGHT, a native of Amhurst County, Virginia, born January 11, 1835, daughter of Matthew and Sophia (HILL) KNIGHT. He resided in Rockbridge County until Aprl 29, 1859, when with his wife and two children, he started for Ringgold County, and arrived here June 23. He first located on section 23, southeast quarter, where he resided until 1864, when he settled upon his present farm which was partially improved. The farm consists of 170 acres of choice land, located one mile south of Redding. He has a comfortable house, out-buildings for stock, orchard of 200 trees and small fruit, and everything about betokens the thrifty farmer. He is engaged in general farming ans stock-raising. Mr. and Mrs. MILLER are the parents of eight children - Fanny D., Elmira V. now Mrs. J. M. CROUCH, Sophia H., Valeria, Bird H., Eliza, Ella, and Etta. Two are deceased - Betty T., the oldest, died at the age of nine years, and Blanche died in infancy. Mr. MILLER has served in most of the township offices - township clerk, trustee, assessor and justice of the peace. As a justice he is second to none in the county. He is a worthy and consistent member of the Methodist Espicopal church, and politically was formerly an old-line Whig but is now a Republican. He has given his children excellent educational advantages, and three of his daughters are fitted for teachers. By his upright life and genial manners he has made many friends, and is considered one of the Clinton Township's best citizens. Postoffice, Redding

NOTE: W. M. MILLER died August 9, 1892. Mary J. (KNIGHT) MILLER died December 14, 1904. They were interred at Redding Cemetery, Redding, Ringgold County, Iowa.

William Montgomery MILLER emigrated to Ringgold County, Iowa in 1859 locating near Redding where he lived until his death. Mr. MILLER held various public offices in the County, Clerk, Trustee, Assessor and Justice of the Peace. He and his wife were charter members of the United Presbyterian Church in Redding, organized in 1888. In the new church, erected in Redding in 1913-1914 are two beautiful memorial windows, placed there in their memory by their children.

-"The History of the House of Ochiltrees"

Henry Jr. and Catharine (MONTGOMERY) MILLER

James' father Henry MILLER, Jr. was born January 25, 1786, Rockbridge County, Virginia, and died March 25, 1865. Henry married James' mother Catharine MONTGOMERY February 15, 1816. Catharine was born August 22, 1792, Rockbridge County, Virginia, and died May 8, 1855, Redding, Ringgold County, Iowa. Henry and Catharine were interred at Rose Hill Cemetery, Mount Ayr, Iowa.

SOURCES:
Biography & Historical Record of Ringgold County, Iowa, p. 233-34, 1887

WPA Grave Survey

Transcriptions and note by Sharon R. Becker, January of 2009

Biographical Sketches Pages Index: A - F,   G - L,   M - R,  S - Z

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