John James Wilson Miller, Beauregard Parish, Louisiana Submitted by Kathy Britton ********************************************** Copyright. All rights reserved. http://usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm http://usgwarchives.net/la/lafiles.htm ********************************************** The following article does not give the authors name nor the newspaper it appeared in. I was told this was written shortly after J.J.W. Miller's death, per his request. Tribute to Life of Pioneer, Citizen, the late J.J.W. Miller, DeRidder, Who Lived for Century The late J.J.W. Miller, one of the earliest pioneer citizens of this section of the state, who lived for many years at DeRidder, requested, before his death which occurred Dec. 11, 1929, at the age of more than a century, that a detailed account of his life be written. In accordance with this request, a member of the family has written the following sketch, which gives many interesting observations on the changes and developments in national life that took place during this one life-time. Mr. Miller was well known throughout this part of the state. John James Wilson Miller, of DeRidder, La. died December 11, 1929, at the advanced age of 101 years and five months. He was born at Marion District, S.C., July 11,1828, coming to Louisiana at an early age, and settling in Calcasieu Parish, at Dry Creek, in 1859, where he lived until he made his home in DeRidder 25 years ago. Mr. Miller was not only one of the oldest men in the state at the time of his death, but he was one of the best known throughout the section of the state in which he lived. He perhaps knew more people than any other man within the confines of what was the old Calcasieu Parish. He lived to see most of his old friends and acquaintances pass on before he himself joined the great majority. He lived to see his country's population increase from twelve million to ten times twelve million. He saw his country rise from an obscure, almost isolated nation of doubtful power; he saw it grow up a young and vigorous giant, whose strength none knew nor realized; he saw it in the majesty of its power step forth undaunted and unafraid, to take its place in the foremost ranks of the mighty nations of the earth, the mightiest of them all. He saw his country's weapons of warfare advance from the muzzle-loading flint-lock musket to the modern high-powered rifle and machine velocity twice that of the HRDL gun, whose projectiles have a velocity twice that of the flint-lock, and with a range and penetrating power undreamed of a century ago. He lived to see traveling by ox teams and by stage coach give way to a system of railroads that traverse the country throughout its length and breadth, to millions of motor cars that travel swiftly to every nook and corner of the country, and to travel by aircraft, where men travel a distance in a day that would require a month for the ox team to cover. In his early childhood, Mr. Miller became accustomed to hard and tedious toil. He was schooled to live without complaint whatever fell to his lot; and even in early youth he assumed manhood by sholdering a man's strength with its attendant responsibilities. The lessons of industry, thrift, and frugality, so well learned in his youth, remained as fixed habits throughout his life. His almost constant life in the open, with the heavy labor that was his portion, gave him rugged health and iron strength and endurance. He was noted for his prowess in all games and contests that were common to the country round about, and which required strength, agility, and skill. It was said of him that in such contests he feared no man. No matter if handicapped by the greater weight of an opponent, he was sure of his own strength and skill. This abundant health and great strength and endurance formed an enduring foundation upon which to build his life's edifice; and a thousand times he found it necessary to draw, without stint or reserve, upon that fund of health and strength. Without so splendid an equipment, he never could have faced and endured the hardships that beset his pathway through life. During the formative years of Mr. Miller's life he had the good sense to keep himself free from harmful habits knowing that it was easier to abstain from acquiring such habits than to overcome them once formed. He NEVER used profanity, believing that a man's conversation can be vigorous and convincing without the use of profane and meaningless words. Reared in a country and at a time when all men drank liquor, he seldom drank. Under the strict orthodoxy of that day, he was brought up to believe dancing a great wickedness and gambling next to this unpardonable sin. Mr. Miller joined the M.E. Church South in 1849, and at once became active in church work displaying there the great energy that characterized his every undertaking in life. His remarkable voice made him always welcome in the song services at revivals and camp meetings and there are of the old timers yet living in Louisiana, those who will recall the long bygone days when "Brother" Jim Miller led the singing in a voice that was marvelour in range, quality and power. In the spring of 1852 his father left South Carolina and settled in Wayne County, Miss. There Mr. Miller remained until he saw his parents comfortably settled, leaving them in 1856 and striking out for himself. His father's only sister, Mrs. Permelia Wise, then lived in Claiborne Parish, LA. and towards this aunts home Mr. Miller bent his footsteps in 1857. Soon after arriving there he met Miss Laura Lindsey, of an old and well known family, whom he married in 1858. Mrs. Miller died Dec. 30, 1924 after a long and useful life. She was the mother of 12 children. In 1863 Mr. Miller enlisted in the Civil war, joining a scouting company, where he had the privilege of visiting his home three times during the first year of his service. In 1864 the company to which he belonged was attached to the Sixth Louisiana Regiment of Cavalry, where he remained until the close of the war. Returning home, he found his wife and little children living with her father's people. A member of the lawless band known as Jayhawkers had taken possession of the Miller home, and had destroyed practically everything on the place, even killing the hogs on the farm. Mr. Miller drove the man from his home, moved in, and immediately began the work of recontructing his home. It required about two years to rebuild the place. During this time there was no church in that section of the country, there being two local preachers who preached only occasionally. Mr. Miller's interest in the church never flagged; and when the conference sent a preacher to that circut, a renewed interest in the church was manifested. In 1849 Mr. Miller became of age and cast his first vote. From then on he took a keen interest in politics voting in every election throughout the remainder of his life. For 15 years he served on the police jury of Calcasieu Parish. In 1874 he was made a Mason and was District Grand Master for years, eventually resigning his position owing to advanced age. Mr. Miller was long to be remembered in Mason circles, not only as one of the brightest Masons of the state, but for the active and unceasing work in the order.