BIOGRAPHIES

Source:
Portrait Biographical Album
of
Greene and Clark Counties, Ohio
containing Full Page Portraits
and Prominent and Representative Citizens
of the County
Together with Portraits and Biographies of all the
Presidents of the United States.
Chicago:
Chapman Bros.
1890.

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	ALLEN H. MIARS, a leading farmer and stock-raiser of Spring Valley Township, Greene County, has contributed his full quota toward its growth and development.  He is a native of the Buckeye State and was born in Union Township, Clinton County, Apr. 21, 1828.  He is a son of Samuel and Hannah (Haines) Miars, the former of whom, it is supposed, was a native of Hampshire County, Va., and born Oct. 29, 1799.  The mother was born in Clinton County, this State, about 1803.      Samuel Miars, in 1812, was brought by his parents to this State, they stopping for a short time at Wilmington.  Thence they removed to Union Township, Clinton County, where the father spent the remainder of his life, dying in April, 1875.  He was first a Whig and then a Republican, and became a noted breeder of Short-horn cattle.  He was prospered, financially, and accumulated somewhere in the neighborhood of nine hundred acres of land.  The parental family consisted of six children, viz:  Allen H., our subject; Mary Jane, the wife of William F. Oglesby, of Clinton County; Isaac, also a resident of that county; John M., of Sedgwick County, Kan.; Martin M., of Clinton County, this State; and Louisa, the wife of Alfred McKay, of Wilmington.      The paternal grandfather of our subject was Martin Miars, a native of Virginia, and who married Miss Jane Summers.  Their children were named respectively: David, John, Samuel, Martin, Jacob, Elizabeth, Polly and James.  All were married and reared families, and all lived to be over fifty years old.  Grandfather Miars made the journey from the Old Dominion in wagons, and after settling in Clinton County occupied himself as a blacksmith and accumulated two hundred acres of land.  He died about 1844, having survived his wife a number of years.  The Miars family originated in Germany.      The mother of our subject only survived her husband twelve days.  She was a daughter of Jacob and Mary (Leonard) Haines, who came to Ohio from North Carolina about 1800, settling near what is now known as Center Church, in Clinton County.  Their children were named respectively:  Jonathan, Isaac, Joshua, Zimri, Lydia, Hannah and Abigail.      The subject of this notice was reared and educated in his native county and remained a member of the parental household until thirty-two years old.  In the meantime he was married, Mar. 7, 1859, to Miss Mary M., daughter of Jonas and Prudence (Smalley) Stump.  The parents of Mrs. Miars were natives of Virginia and Ohio respectively, and located in Spring Valley Township in the pioneer days.  They are now living, at an advanced age, in Spring Valley. Of this union there was born one child only, a son, L. Fremont.  After their marriage Mr. and Mrs. Miars located on a farm near Wilmington, where they lived until 1882.  That year they removed to their present farm near Barrett’s Mills, where they have two hundred and seventy-six acres of land, and also thirty-eight acres which belong to Mrs. Miars.  This forms one of the finest estates on the Little Miami Bottom.  Mr. Miars is looked upon as a good citizen and is a liberal contributor to the churches and other worthy institutions.  He is a Republican in politics. Source:  Portrait Biographical Album of Greene and Clark Counties, Ohio, Published Chicago: Chapman Bros. - 1890 - Page 634
Reuben Miller	REUBEN MILLER.  Among all the worthy citizens of Greene County, none can be found more thoroughly deserving of representation in a volume of this nature, than he whose name stands at the head of this notice, and whose portrait appears on the opposite page.  His prominence is not due alone to the fact of his being an old settler, but to the excellent habits which he has maintained, to the resolute will and presevering industry which has secured for him a competence, and more than all to his upright Christian character.  From his position as a poor boy, he has worked out a successful career, the capital with which he began, being the instruction which he had received to be studious, industrious and neat, and that which he thinks most important of all, to live a godly life.      The paternal ancestors of our subject were German, and in the maternal line he traces his ancestry to old England.  His grandfather, Andrew Miller, emigrated from Germany to Pennsylvania when a young man, and during the first great struggle for American Independence he gave his services to the cause of freedom.  From the forest on the Big Canawha Creek he cleared a farm, upon which he spent the later years of his life.  His son John was born in York County, and determining to devote himself to farm life, bought the old home and engaged in agriculture upon it, but lost it after the War of 1812.  During that struggle his eldest son, then seventeen years old, entered the army as his substitute.  John Miller was a great reader, and an active member of the Lutheran Church, in which he was an exhorter.      The maternal grandparents of Reuben Miller were David and Hannah (Smith) Ramsey, of England, both of whom lived to the advanced age of eighty-six years, the former never being ill until his death.  Having come to America prior to the Revolutionary War, Grandfather Ramsey took part in that struggle, receiving two wounds while fighting for freedom.  During the cannonading at the battle of Bunker Hill, the dishes in his home, which was but two miles distant, were thrown from the shelves and broken by the concussion.  After the war he removed to York County, Pa., being one of the early settlers.  He cleared a farm in the mountains and made shingles, burned charcoal, and followed other occupations suited to the locality.  His landed estate amounted to three hundred acres.  The family were Quakers and prominent in the work of the society.      Jane Ramsey, daughter of David and Hannah (Smith) Ramsey, was born in Chester County, Pa., and married John Miller, to whom she bore seven children.  David, who went to the War of 1812, when seventeen years old, died in Clark County, Ohio, at the age of sixty-two years; John died when two years old; Hannah, Mrs. Sultzenbarger, died at the age of seventy-five years; Mrs. Mary Welty died aged eighty-two years; Samuel died in Pennsylvania when sixty-eight years old; the next on the family roll is our subject, who is the only survivor; Benjamin died at the age of sixty years.      Reuben Miller was born in Conawanka Township, York County, Pa., Sept. 25, 1810, and was reared on a farm.  When five years old he was sent to his grandparents, who were getting old, in order that he might watch over them, and their home being across the mountain from that of his parents, he could call the latter in case of need.  He remained under their roof until ten years old, when he returned to his old home, taking up such a share in the labors of the farm as a boy of his years could endure.  His school privileges were meager, and the early education which he obtained was secured in the subscription’ schools, which were held during a small portion of the year.  The clothing which he wore was home-made.  He hunted some, running foxes and other game, and remained at home until twelve years old, when he was hired out on a farm at 13.50 per month until seventeen.  He then began an apprenticeship at the trade of a shoemaker with his brother Samuel, and after serving three years started a shop of his own. He carried it on for nine years, working almost day and night, determined to secure a home and surround himself with some degree of comfort.      When twenty-three years old he secured a companion in life, being married in September, 1833, to Miss Margaret Mittman, who nobly bore her share in his labors and anxieties, assisting him by her counsel and prudent home keeping.  She was born in Dover Township, York County, and died in Ohio, in 1846.  After their marriage the young couple went at once to housekeeping, the husband buying a farm of eighty acres on the mountain side, making an initial payment with money which he borrowed ct 6 per cent.  He remained upon the place four years, after which he sold it and came to Ohio, the journey being accomplished in a two-horse covered wagon, which also conveyed a few household goods.  The river was crossed in flatboats, and twenty-one days after leaving their Pennsylvania home the family settled near Dayton, Montgomery County, Ohio.  For three years they lived upon rented land there, after which they settled in Clark County, spending one year in a cabin in the woods.      Although Mr. Miller had been put back by sickness, he had succeeded in saving about $250, with which he came to Greene County and made arrangements for the purchase of one hundred acres of land on Mud Run, going in debt for a large part of its price.  A few years later he borrowed money at 10 per cent., and purchased one hundred and sixty acres adjoining, paying $30 per acre, and continuing his resolute efforts, succeeded in paying for both farms.  The only indebtedness which he ever assumed was for land.  He was located on the Springfield and Dayton pike, where he cleared and otherwise improved his estate.  He engaged in general farming and stock raising, also dealing extensively in market produce.  The early habits of neatness and order in which he had been instructed by his worthy parents, were carried out on the farm, where everything was carefully cared for, and nothing lost by heedlessness or ill-usage.  The best of stock was kept, Mr. Miller being one of the first men in the county to keep full blooded Shorthorn cattle and Southdown sheep.  His horses also were of good grades, while he endeavored at all times to keep his crops above the average in quality.      After having lived upon the estate, which he had secured by unremitting toil, for forty-two years, Mr. Miller sold it at $95 per acre, and removed to Osborn, retiring from the work in which he had so long been engaged.  He bought the home in which he now lives, and has invested the remainder of his means in bank stock and in various loans.  He is the largest and one of the original stockholders of the Bank of Osborn, his interest being $5,000.  He has given each of his children a start in life, bestowing upon them the educational and business advantages which they desired.      Mr. Miller contracted a second matrimonial alliance, choosing as his companion Miss Hester Snyder, with whom he was united in wedlock, in 1847, the ceremony taking place in Clark County.  The bride was born in York County, Pa., and was a daughter of John Snyder, an early settler of Bethel Township, Clark County, where she was reared and educated.  After many years of useful life, in which she had shown her devotion to husband and family and kindliness to all with whom she came in contact, Mrs. Miller departed this life May 6, 1880.      The sons and daughters of Mr. Miller are seven, their record being as follows: John A. attended Lebanon College, and was subsequently graduated from Wilts Commercial College, in Dayton, and he is engaged in farming and the fruit business in Clark County; Ellen M. is a graduate of Granville College, in Licking County, and taught school until her marriage to O. P. Hardman, a farmer of Clark County; Laura J. is the wife of Henry Corn, of Fairfield, a retired farmer and a soldier in the Civil War; Cylnira C. is the wife of George Keplinger, who is a farmer and the operator of a greenhouse in Bath Township; Lee is an engineer at Springfield; Curtain was in a shop in Springfield but is now at home, having had his leg cut off by a train.  Alice is the wife of William Rol, who works in the knife and bar shop of the Reaper and Mower Manufactory in Springfield.      The first Presidential ballot of Mr. Miller was cast for Andrew Jackson at his second election, and he has never since missed a vote, continuing his adherance to the Democrat party.  He has always paid his fine when put in office, declining to serve except in school affairs.  He belongs to the Lutheran Church, in which he has had membership since he was six months old, and in which for thirty years he has taken a very active part.  He is a charter member of the society at Osborn, belonged to the building committee and has given as liberally as any one to its support.  He has been a Trustee for years and is now an Elder, he belongs to the Ancient, Free and Accepted Masons at Osborn.  He has been called upon to exercise his judgment as a juryman, and in other ways has been prominent among his fellow citizens.  His memory is a remarkable one, he being able to recall events as far back as 1813, when his brother went to the war.  Self-made in finances and in personal reputation and character, he gives the credit of all that he is to the teaching which produced in his mind the determination to be a gentleman in the deepest sense of that word, and to the natural abilities which God gave him. Source:  Portrait Biographical Album of Greene and Clark Counties, Ohio, Published Chicago: Chapman Bros. - 1890 - Page 301
	ROBERT MILLER, senior member of the undertaking firm of Miller & Bryan,  is operating  at Fairfield with a good understanding of its representative men.  He comes of a good family, is well-to-do financially, liberal and public-spirited, a Democrat in politics and an active member of the German Reformed Church.      Mr. Miller was born in Bath Township, May 2, 1826, and was reared to farming pursuits..  His father died when he was a lad of ten years and thereafter he was his mother's chief assistant on the farm.  His education was limited to the elementary spelling book, Pikes arithmetic and the New Testament.  He never saw a blackboard until his school days were over, these terminating when he was sixteen years old.  After reaching his majority, he was joined in wedlock with Miss Deborah A. Kinney, the wedding taking place at the bride's home in Bath Township, Oct. 5, 1848.  Mr. Miller was a native of the same township as her husband and was born Feb. 10, 1830.  Her father, John Kinney, was a native of Pennsylvania, an early settler of Bath Township and became one of its most prominent and successful farmers.      After his marriage Mr. Miller settled with his young wife upon a rented farm of one hundred and twenty acres near the old homestead and where they lived for a period of ten years.  He then purchased the heirship to his mother's estate and secured the home farm, paying therefor $40 per acre and until the outbreak of the Civil War was successfully engaged in farming and stockraising.  During the war he served in the State Militia and assisted in driving Morgan from the soil of the Buckeye State.      In 1874 Mr. Miller, having resolved to retire from the arduous labors of farm life, rented his place and removed to Fairfield of which he has since been a resident.  In 1879 he embarked in the undertaking business, which is the source of a comfortable income.  He owns his residence and several lots in the city and is looked upon as one of the solid citizens who have been no unimportant factor in lending dignity and importance to the community.      Mrs. Deborah A. (Kinney) Miller departed this life at the family residence in Fairfield April 21, 1886.  Of the three children born to her and our subject, the eldest, a daughter, Vinette J., met a painful death at the age of three years, being fatally burned, her clothing having caught fire from a candle which she was carrying; Sarah M. died at the age of four years; Robert Edwin, the only surviving child, is pursuing his studies in Heidleburg College at Tiffin, this State, and expects to graduate in the class of 1892.  Mr. Miller cast his first Presidential vote for the Democratic candidate in 1848 and has always supported the principles of the Democratic party.  Until recently, he has been quite active in politics, frequently officiating as a delegate to the county and State conventions.  He was Township Assessor for a period of sixteen years and until resigning in 1887.  For many years he was a School Director in his district and is now the Treasurer of the school funds.  He has been a member of the Town Council of Fairfield two different terms.  Socially, he belongs to the Masonic Lodge at Osborn.      The father of our subject was Capt. Thomas Miller, a native of Lancaster County, Pa., and born in 1801. The paternal grandfather was Robert Miller, likewise a native of that county and who occupied himself as a contractor and builder.  He came to Ohio as early as 1807 and purchased of Elias Kerkendall three hundred and twenty acres of land at $3 per acre, a part of which is included in the land owned by his grandson Robert.  He resided upon this until his death, the circumstances of which were very painful, as he was fatally injured by being thrown from a vehicle in which he was riding.      Capt. Thomas Miller was a farmer by occupation and gained his title by services in the Ohio State Militia.  He was a man of note in his community, an Elder in the Presbyterian Church and departed this life Sept. 26, 1836.  He was married in early manhood to Miss Sarah Wolfe who was born in Lancaster County, Pa., in 1800.  Grandfather John W. Wolfe was also a native of that county, where he learned the trade of a tailor.  He emigrated to Ohio about 1805, and purchasing a large tract of land became well-to-do and was a prominent and public-spirited citizen.  He passed the closing years of his life at the old homestead in Bath Township.      The mother of our subject, after the death of her first husband Mr. Miller, contracted a second marriage with Judge Simeon Dunn of Trenton, N. J. Judge Dunn was likewise an early settler of Bath Township, a very intelligent man and a leading politician.  He served as a soldier in the War of 1812, and about 1830 or 1832, represented the county in the State Legislature.  He was for years a Township Trustee and served as Associate Judge for fourteen years.  To Thomas S. and Sarah Miller was born a family of eight children, viz: Elizabeth, Mrs. Drake, now a widow and a resident of White County, Ind.; Robert, our subject; John and Abraham deceased; Christiana, Mrs. Nickey, a widow, residing in Muncie, Ind.; Mary, Mrs. Stine, of Walla Walla, Wash.; Margaret, Mrs. Newman, a widow, who is residing in Quincy, this State, and Sarah, Mrs. Batdorf, of Bath Township.  There was born to the mother by her second marriage three children - Francis and Joseph L., deceased, and Thomas S., whose home is in Decatur, Ill., but who is now sojourning at Ann Arbor, Mich., for the purpose of educating his son. Source:  Portrait Biographical Album of Greene and Clark Counties, Ohio, Published Chicago: Chapman Bros. - 1890 - Page 255
	WILLIAM J. MILLER. Many of the leading men of this county are its native-born citizens as in the case of Mr. Miller, who was born May 4, 1834, in the northwest part of Beaver Creek Township, Greene County.  His parents were James and Sarah (Harner) Miller, and his father came to this region during its pioneer days.  James Miller, a native of Greencastle, Pa., was born Sept. 15, 1807, and his wife, Sarah, was born in Beaver Creek Township, this county, Dec. 17, 1802, the same year that Ohio was admitted into the Union as a State.  The father of our subject in his journey to this county was accompanied by the well-known John Harbine, one of its earliest pioneers.  Mr. Miller occupied himself as a carpenter and was married to Miss Harner about 1840.  He had secured one hundred and thirteen acres of land - that upon which his son now resides - and where he settled with his young wife, they beginning housekeeping together in true pioneer style.      James Miller opened up a good farm from the wilderness where he and his estimable wife spent the remainder of their days.  Mr. Miller died about 1870 at the age of sixty-seven years.  Up to the beginning of the Civil War he had affiliated with the Democratic party, but not being able to harmonize with the Democracy on the questions of Union and slavery, he wheeled over into the Republican ranks, remaining there until the close of his life.  The mother died about 1870.      The parental household of our subject consisted of two children only, William J. and Sarah J., the latter being the wife of John Davis and living in Beaver Creek Township.  James Miller had three brothers: William, Matthew, and Robert.  Robert located first in Greene County, Ohio, and from there went to Logansport where he remained until his death.  The Miller family is of German and Scotch ancestry, from which countries respectively the paternal grandparents of William J. emigrated at an early day.      Mr. Miller has spent his entire life upon the farm where he now lives.  He attended the district school during his boyhood and youth and obtained a practical knowledge of agriculture, which with his habits of industry have made him a successful and independent farmer.  He is largely interested in Poland-China swine and has carried off the blue, and red ribbons at the County Fairs.  The head of Mr. Miller’s herd of swine has taken the red ribbon at the Ohio, Indiana and Illinois State Fairs.  He has made of this industry a specialty for the past seven years.  His farm buildings are ample and convenient and he avails himself of modern methods and improved machinery in all his operations.      Mr. Miller was first married in 1864 to Miss Anna Prugh.  She was born in Montgomery, Ohio, and was the daughter of Peter and Charlotte (Mitchell) Prugh who were among the earliest pioneers of that section.  They came hither from Maryland where Mr. Prugh had learned the trade of a shoemaker and which he followed in connection with farming after coming to this State.  His family included three sons and four daughters, of whom Miss Anna was the youngest born.  Of her union with our subject there was born one child, a son, John G., and the mother passed away seventeen months after her marriage; this son is now in Beaver Creek Township.      The second marriage of Mr. Miller occurred in 1868 with Miss Sarah E., daughter of Jacob and Elizabeth (Getter) Steele of this county.  Six children were born of this union, viz.: Jessie F., William L., Clarence Orphus, James L., Sarah Elizabeth, and Annettie G., the latter deceased.  Mr. and Mrs. Miller are both connected with the Reformed Church.  The parents of Mrs. Miller were natives respectively of Greene and Warren Counties, this State, and Mr. Steele politically was a Republican.  Their family consisted of one son and five daughters, Mrs. Miller being the eldest born.  The paternal grandfather was Ebenezer Steele, further mention of whom is made in the biography of J. D. Steele on another page in this volume. Source:  Portrait Biographical Album of Greene and Clark Counties, Ohio, Published Chicago: Chapman Bros. - 1890 - Page 577
	JOSEPH MYERS.   A traveler through Greene County, sees many attractive homes, not only in the thriving towns, but in the agricultural districts, the evidences of enterprise crowned with success being plentiful on every hand.  In Silver Creek Township, about one mile west of Jamestown, on the Jamestown & Xenia Pike, stands a substantial, two-story brick residence around which fine barns and other outbuildings cluster, and well-tilled acres stretch.  Everything about the place bears the air of neatness and order, and the evidences of good taste which mark the occupants as people of intelligence, thrift and culture.  Investigation shows that this estate, which is one of the finest in the township, comprises one hundred and fifty-three broad acres, and is owned and occupied by Joseph Myers and his estimable wife.      The gentleman whose life it is our purpose to outline in these brief paragraphs, is of German ancestry, more recent generations, having lived in Pennsylvania.  His father, John Myers, was born in that State, reared upon a farm, and married to Miss Lucy Plummer, whose birth and lineage were similar to his own.  After the birth of two daughters they removed to Ohio, settling in Ross Township, this county, on a slightly improved farm.  Here the husband and father died a few years later while yet in middle life, being but fifty-five years old.  An honest and hard-working man, a consistent member of the Methodist Church, and one who endeavored to carry the principles of religion into his daily life, he was respected by his associates, and mourned by his family and friends.  In his political belief he was a Republican.  The widow survived for many years, making her home with her son, our subject, after he became of age, and passing away under his roof when nearly sixty years old.  She was a kind and loving mother, a Christian woman, having been a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church during the greater part of her life, and left a record which her descendants comtemplate with affectionate pleasure.      Of the seven children born to the couple above mentioned, our subject and his brother William are all who are now living.  The latter is a farmer, as were the most of the family.  He of whom we write became of age in Ross Township, obtaining his education there, and early acquiring the industrious habits and high principles which have characterized his life.  After reaching man’s estate he chose for his companion Miss Susan Long, of Silver Creek Township, their marriage being celebrated at her home, after which the newly wedded couple settled on a farm in Ross Township.  There they resided for some years, changing their location to their present home about 1852.  Here Mr. Myers has built up his splendid farm, while not neglecting the duties devolving upon a good citizen and neighbor.      The companion of Mr. Myers was born in New Jasper Township, May 12, 1827, and being reared by pious parents amid surroundings favorable to development of the higher qualities of character, grew to womanhood in the possession of many virtues, together with a knowledge of domestic arts which has made her useful at home and in society.  Her parents, James and Alice (Boggs) Long were born in Virginia and Ohio respectively, and married in Jackson County, this State.  Some years afterward they identified themselves with the pioneer settlers of this county, occupying a farm in Silver Creek Township until death.  The father passed away at the age of fifty-two years, and the mother when twenty years older.  Both were consistent members of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and their home for years was the stopping place of the ministers, and was thrown open for the meeting of the congregation which desired to assemble in that vicinity.  They were numbered among the leading families in this pare of the county, their influence being ever on the side of that which is elevating.      The family of our subject is made up of eight sons and daughters: William, the first-born, still remains with his parents; Henry C. is farming in the same township, having married Miss Nettie Crampton; Louisa is the wife of John Gano, a boot and shoe manufacturer in Springfield; Charles A. married Miss Flora Sapp, and is farming at Fowler, Benton County, Ind.; James A., who married Miss Emma Horner, is a foundryman in Springfield; Laura B. is the wife of Frank Bryant, their home being on a farm in Ross Township; J. Franklin is connected with Mr. Ginn in the lumber business; Harvey E. married Miss Nellie Griffith, and is timekeeper in his brother’s foundry in Springfield.      Politically, Mr. Myers is a sound Prohibitionist.  For sixteen years he served his fellow-citizens in the capacity of Township Trustee.  He and his wife belong to the Methodist Episcopal Church, and rank very high with the best class of citizens, enjoying the pleasure of knowing that they have many true and tried friends an the county.  Although Mrs. Myers has been an invalid for some time, she bears her suffering and inactivity without a murmur of discontent, preserving her genial manner and lively interest in the true and the beautiful, and retaining her influence over those with whom she comes in contact. Source:  Portrait Biographical Album of Greene and Clark Counties, Ohio, Published Chicago: Chapman Bros. - 1890 - Page 694

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