JOSEPH H. MILLER.  Nearly a half century has passed since Mr. Miller located upon the land now covered by the village of Swanton, and during that time the most surprising changes have been made in the vicinity, and it may be said truthfully that no one man has been more instrumental in bringing about these changes, these improvements, and evidences of prosperity and growth than he whose name entitles this sketch.
     Joseph Henry Miller was born at Cherry Valley, Otsego county, N. Y., on the 21st of November, 1812.  He was the second of six children, sons and daughters of Lewis and Sally (Tennent) Miller, the latter of whom died at the age of thirty-two years.  Of these children, but two - Joseph H. and Mary (Miller) Harriott - are now living.  Lewis Miller was a shoemaker, and at the bench he labored hard for his family's support, but misfortune came upon him and took away his greatest helper - his wife - leaving to their father the additional burden of the care of several small children.  Joseph was one of the older of these, and, upon his mother's death, he was "bound out" to learn the shoemaker's trade; but it seems that the lad had no liking for such work, as he soon ran away, only to be captured, returned, and "bound out" for a second time; but a second opportunity for escape (for to him it seemed like escape from captivity) was offered, which he at once accepted and took his departure from that region and went to Ohio, and subsequently to Illinois.
     To attempt to follow the fortunes of Mr. Miller for the ten more years that passed after he went to Illinois, would be absolutely impossible for the biographer, and would seriously tax the memory of the subject himself; suffice it to say then, that for a number of years he traveled over the country, west and south, working at various employments -  now on the Mississippi River boats, again on the rail, then crossing and recrossing the mountains, earning and spending money, and gaining nothing of lasting value beyond experience and a knowledge of men and States.  while in Illinois he suffered from an attack of small-pox, but recovering, a later time found him in New Orleans, where he was "pressed" into service in a small-pox hospital in that city and remained there six months.
     At last, becoming tired of the vicissitudes of a roaming life, and possessing an earnest desire to settle down to some established vocation or business, Mr. Miler returned to Ohio in the year 1840, where he found employment on the Miami and Erie Canal, which was then being constructed.  He drove team, towing boats loaded with stone, up the Maumee for a time, but finally settled at the point whereon was afterward built the pretty and flourishing village of Swanton.
     After having lived here three years, Mr. Miller married on Apr. 4, 1843, Lydia Cass, a most estimable young woman, a native of Canada, but then residing in Ohio.  She bore him four children, viz.: Julia Ann, born May 24, 1844, married James White and now lives in Swanton; Lydia Ann, born May 12, 1847, married Wood Hamlin, died Aug. 22, 1868; Sylvia L., born Mar. 25, 1851, married Cyrenus Sanderson, and now living at Swanton; and Olive L., born July 10, 1854, died May 19, 1886.  Lydia (Cass) Miller, the devoted wife and mother, shared the hardships and successes of her husband for upwards of forty years, and died on the 23d of July, 1884.  Two years later, July 27, 1886, Mr. Miller was married to Ann Cass, a sister of his former wife.
     To the building of the Air Line division of the Lake Shore and Michigan Southern Railroad Mr. Miller undoubtedly owes much of his success in business life, although, to his excellent judgment and foresight, is also due a no small portion of that success, for, by his effort and his donation of lands to the railroad company, they were induced to locate a station upon his land, at the point where it is now situated.  When the building of the road in this locality was commenced, Mr. Miller was engaged on the work, receiving the modest compensation of seventy-five cents per day.  A little later we find him dealing, in a small way, in butter and eggs, but although seemingly small, he saved $500 in a single year.  With this he started a store in Swanton, and to his credit be it said that no matter how short of ready cash he may have been, he was never denied credit for any amount of goods he desired to purchase.  These principles have characterized his every transaction in life - straightfoward honesty and integrity.
     Mr. Miller continued merchandising from 1856 to about 1872 or 1873.  On the completion of the railroad he was made station agent, and, with the exception of about six months, held that position for sixteen years.  In connection with his other business interests, he has bought and sold much land; and whereon now stands the village of Swanton, nearly all of the tract has, at some time, been owned by him.  He has given not only land but large cash contributions for various enterprises.  The land given the railroad company cost him three hundred dollars.  To the company that built the grist-mill he offered a tract of land or four hundred dollars in cash; they took the land.  He donated two hundred dollars worth of land for school purposes, and to the society of each of the churches - Methodists, Baptist, and Christian - he donated lands worth two hundred dollars each; for the saw, planing, and lath-mill he leased land at three dollars per acre, annual rent, to run at the pleasure of the occupants.  Added to these gifts may be mentioned the bountiful provision made by Mr. Miller for the various members of his family, retaining to himself only a small portion of his extensive estates, and the rental of a part of his buildings.  Still regaining his full mental vitor and strength, although his physical structure has been somewhat impaired by the ravages of time. Mr. Miller continues to reside at his fine hotel in Swanton, and has now passed the seventy-fifty year of his life.
Source:  History of Henry & Fulton Cos., Ohio – Publ. 1888 – Page 621

Source:  History of Henry & Fulton Cos., Ohio – Publ. 1888 – Page 623

Source:  History of Henry & Fulton Counties - edited by Lewis Cass Aldrich - Syracuse NY - Publ. D. Mason & Co. 1888 – Page 688

Source:  History of Henry & Fulton Counties - edited by Lewis Cass Aldrich - Syracuse NY - Publ. D. Mason & Co. 1888 – Page 685