Bartholomew County IN Archives Biographies.....Miller, Frederick W. 1835 - ************************************************ Copyright. All rights reserved. http://www.rootsweb.com/~usgenweb/copyright.htm http://www.rootsweb.com/~usgenweb/in/infiles.htm ************************************************ File contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by: Joy Fisher sdgenweb@yahoo.com January 21, 2007, 6:40 pm Author: B. F. Bowen (1904) FREDERICK W. MILLER. The fatherland has sent to America many worthy citizens—men who have made the most of their opportunities in a business way and while promoting their individual success have also advanced the best interests of the localities in which they have lived. To this class belongs Frederick W. Miller, who for a long period was actively associated with farming and stock raising in Bartholomew and is now living a retired life, making his home in Columbus. The fruits of his former toil supply him with a comfortable home and provide him with not only the necessities but also many of the luxuries of life. Mr. Miller was born in Prussia, Germany, on the 27th of March, 1835, a son of Zachariah and Hannah (Cruga) Miller, who were also natives of the village in which their son was born. Through several generations representatives of the family had been millers and the father of the subject also learned and followed the same pursuit. He likewise gave some attention to farming and through his dual occupation he managed to provide a comfortable living for his family. Unto him and his wife were born six children: Henrietta, who has now passed away; Karl, who died at the age of twenty-seven years: Louisa and Henry, both deceased; Frederick W., of this review, and Frederica, who is living near the old home in Germany. Frederick W. Miller spent the days of his boyhood and youth in the fatherland and acquired his education in the public schools. He was nineteen years of age when he came to America, hoping thereby to enjoy better business opportunities and thus promote his success. He is truly a self-made man. Recognizing the fact that in America "labor is king," he put forth every energy to advance his interest by means of persistent, earnest toil, and as the result of his work he is today the possessor of valuable farming property, owning two hundred and sixteen and a half acres of fertile land, all in Bartholomew county and all under a high state of cultivation. He has himself cleared one hundred acres of his land and placed it under the plow, making it productive and valuable. In addition to the cultivation of his fields he has engaged in the raising of stock, making a specialty of hogs and cattle. He has besides his farm land valuable town property, and in 1875 he erected one of the finest residences in Columbus. His realty holdings are as a monument to his life of thrift, diligence and perseverance and his life history proves how forceful are energy and sound judgment in winning success in a land where opportunity is not lessened by caste or class. In 1869 Mr. Miller was united in wedlock to Miss Margaret Nickerson, a daughter of John and Elizabeth (Palmer) Nickerson. Her father, a native of Maryland, was born near Whaleysville and not far from Baltimore. Her grandfather was a merchant and farmer and spent his entire life in Maryland. Her father became a school teacher and for many years was well known as a successful educator. He also engaged in agricultural pursuits to some extent, but his death occurred when he was yet a young man. In his political views he was a Democrat and in his religious faith was a Methodist, leading an earnest, consistent Christian life. Unto him and his wife were born four children: Mary, who is the widow of Elijah Davis, now deceased; Margaret, now Mrs. Miller: James, who is married and lives near Indianapolis, and Isaac, who is a resident farmer of Bartholomew county. The home of Mr. and Mrs. Miller was blessed with three children, but only one is now living; Albert, who was born in 1861, and is now a farmer of this county, owning and operating one hundred and sixty acres of land not far from his father's land. He married Miss Lillian King. The other son, Edgar, died in childhood, and the daughter, Alice, died at the age of eight years. Mr. and Mrs. Miller belong to the First Methodist Episcopal church of Columbus, and in early life he was an active worker in the church. He gave his political support to the Republican party early in life, but is now a member of the Prohibition party. He takes a deep interest in its success and does all in his power to awaken temperate sentiment in the community. He believes the question of the suppression of the liquor traffic to be today one of the paramount issues before the people. Mr. Miller has always been a man of firm conviction. He is not given to forming hasty decisions or to passing quick judgment upon any subject, but when he has determined upon a course which he believes to be right neither fear nor favor can turn him aside from following this course. This determined loyalty to what he believes to be for the best is one of his strongest and most commendable traits of character and has enabled him to command the confidence and trust of all. Mr. Miller has never had occasion to regret his resolution to seek a home in America, and under the protection of the stars and stripes he has found good opportunities and excellent advantages and has won for himself a comfortable competence and gained many friends. Additional Comments: Extracted from BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD OF BARTHOLOMEW COUNTY INDIANA INCLUDING BIOGRAPHIES OF THE GOVERNORS AND OTHER REPRESENTATIVE CITIZENS OF INDIANA ILLUSTRATED 1904 B. F. Bowen PUBLISHER File at: http://files.usgwarchives.net/in/bartholomew/bios/miller704gbs.txt This file has been created by a form at http://www.genrecords.org/infiles/ File size: 5.9 Kb