George M. Miles
Montana GenWeb Archives 
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George M. Miles--Among the prominent and leading businessmen 
of Miles City is George M. Miles, nephew of General Nelson A. 
Miles. He is one of the founders of the city, the leading dry 
goods and hardware merchant and vice-president of the First
 National Bank. He was born in Westminster, in 1854, a son of 
Daniel C. and Lucy Ann (Puffer) Miles. He graduated at Amherst 
College, Massachusetts, in the class in 1875, and came to 
Fort Keogh in 1876 where he engaged in the quartermaster's 
department, the post then commanded by General Nelson A. 
Miles, for whom Miles City was named. He was in Government 
employ for eighteen months. In the fall of 1876 he invested 
in the sheep industry, having the first herd owned in Custer 
County. Since that time the industry has had an immense 
growth in the county and state. Mr. Miles herded hissheep 
during the winter on the ground now occupied by Miles City, 
which was then covered by large sagebrush. For six years 
sheep were his principle livestock and proved profitable. 
Later he turned his attention to cattle and horses--draught 
horses, in considerable numbers, and large herds of cattle. 
In this business he was connected with two others, Hawes 
and Strevell. Their range is 100 miles from Miles City. 
Mr. Miles was the first United States Commissioner in 
Custer County as also the first Notary Public. He has also
filled the offices of Justice of the Peace and member 
of the Board of County Commissioners. In religion he is a
member of the Presbyterian Church, being an Elder and a 
Trustee of the same. He was one of the organizers of the
church at Miles City and organized and has taken an 
active part in building up the Sunday school of which 
he has been superintendent for fifteen years. He gives 
much of his time and money to the church, Sunday school 
and charities. The dry-goods firm with which he is 
connected is known as the McIntire Mercantile Company, 
he being president.His hardware interests are in the 
partnership store at Miles City, owned by Miles, 
Strevell and Ulmer. This company has also a store 
at Ogden Utah. Mr. Miles owns much valuable real 
estate in and adjoining the city, and good business
property, which yield him good rental revenue. He 
is a conservative, practical businessman and is also 
prominent in society. Politically, he is a staunch 
Republican. He was married in 1880 to Helen Strevell, 
daughter of Honorable Jason W. Strevell of Miles 
City. He has one son, Jason D. Miles, now eleven 
years of age. Mrs. Miles died in 1887. 

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