Transcribed by Claire Wichelmann - goodwich@ix.netcom.com
           use BACK key to return to Index page

>From 1880 Beers History of Darke County, Ohio (Adams Twp), page 556

GEORGE W. MILLER, farmer, Sec. 34; P. O. Gettysburg.  Phillip, the
father of George W. was a native of Maryland, born in 1775.  He
married Rachel Baldwin, who was a native of the same State , in 1793;
he departed this life in his native State, in May, 1837;  Rachel, his
widow, remained in Maryland till 1844, when she, with her family of
eleven children, emigrated to Ohio, locating in Darke Co., where she
remained until her death, which occured on the 16th of August, 1853,
leaving a family of ten children, of whom seven are living at the
present writing, viz., Abraham, Daniel, Joseph, Kisiah, Margaret,
Rachel, Rebecca.  George W., the subject of this sketch, was born in
Carroll Co., Md., on the 13th day of May, 1828; he came, with his
mother, when he was about 16 years old, but lived with his brother
Abraham, who resided in New Harrison, where he obtained a good
common-school education; at the age of 18, he commenced to learn the
blacksmithing trade with his brother, in the town where he resided;
He oly followed the business two years, when he began the carpentering
trade with Samuel Paulin, where he worked for about two years; then he
followed the trade on his own responsibility for about six years.  On
the 7th of October, 1853, he celebrated his marriage with Eliza Reck,
who was born in Darke Co., Ohio, on the 14th of September, 1836; in
1863, he rented a farm, where he lived for a period of about six
years, after which he purchased 27 acres of S. Rontzon, for which he
paid $1,600, where he has resided since.  Mr. Miller has accumulated
some property by his hard labor, in which he has been assisted by his
good and amiable wife.  They are members of the Lutheran Church, and
are living zealous and consistent Christians.  Five children have been
born to thiem, viz., Margaret A., Nov. 10, 1854; George W., Feb 13,
1857; John E., Sept 10, 1859; William H., April 20, 1862; Welby L.,
Aug. 13, 1867.  Mr. Miller and his wife have passed through the many
struggles, dangers and incidents so common to the pioneers of the
West.  Unfortunately for him, his father died when he was only about 9
years old, leaving his mother with eleven children, to survive the
storms of life; but Providence smiled, sparing her life to see all her
children grow into manhood and womanhood.  George W., by his
indomitable will and iron nerve, has fought the battles of life
manfully, coming off more than a conqueror.  In 1864, he enlisted in
the one-hundred-day service and went forth to battle for his country.
Phillip, his father, served in the war of 1821, and was at the
bombardment of Baltimore in 1814.