COLUMBIA COUNTY OHIO - MORRIS/MILLER History Chapter 23 (published 1873) *********************************************************************** USGENWEB NOTICE: These electronic pages may NOT be reproduced in any format for profit or presentation by other organization or persons. Persons or organizations desiring to use this material, must obtain the written consent of the contributor, or the legal representative of the submitter, and contact the listed USGenWeb archivist with proof of this consent. The submitter has given permission to the USGenWeb Archives to store the file permanently for free access. http://www.usgwarchives.net/ *********************************************************************** File contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by Maggie Stewart-Zimmerman MaggieOhio@columbus.rr.com November 5, 1999 *********************************************************************** "HISTORY OF THE MORRIS AND MILLER FAMILIES" By Morris Miller 1873 *********************************************************************** Chapter 23 History of Morris Miller Having brought the history of my parents down to the time of their decease and devoted one chapter to the family of Father’s youngest sister under the head of Thomas Ball’s family, I shall now devote a short space to the history of myself, and by so doing, the long thread of Mother’s brothers and sisters will be broken. I being the oldest of my father’s children, and having brought up the early history of my life with that of my parents, I shall now proceed with the untold portion. For a little more than nine years after marriage, I devoted most of my time to the improvement of my little farm. At first I engaged in the planting of a orchard of choice fruit, which was successful and was a great comfort to my family while they resided there. Occasionally I had profitable callings at the pump business, being then considered the most successful practitioner in that line. Here I shall pass over almost thirty years of my life, mostly blank. I was lured through ambitious views in the spring of 1832 to enter into public contracts that did not result with such profit and satisfaction as expected. To give even a synopsis of the various works that I have been engaged in would not be in accordance with this work; hence, I shall pass them with a remark that the only side I can look upon with any comfort is that I have been an auxiliary in promotion of the great improvement that adorns the present age, although unpleasant is the reflection that it has been the case of so much privation in my family and probably hastened the infirmities of advanced age on me. During the long period that I was so much away from home, my children were very dutiful to a kind and loving mother, who was favored to bring them up in the way they should go. Thus far, they have made a good record, for which I feel very grateful, and hope they may continue so through life. I intend to add a chapter to the appendix devoted particularly to them. After the summer of 1863 I retired from all public works. My children being mostly married and settled and my wife’s health somewhat impaired, I was generally about home, although away sometimes at the pump business or moving houses, both of which I had done considerably in my former days, but age admonished me to discontinue them. My wife’s health continued to be more indisposed, and during the winter of 1864-65 she was confined mostly to her room. Medical aid seemed to have no effect, and from the suddenness of her departure, it was attributed to heart disease, a complaint that it was supposed our youngest daughter died of several years previously. On the night of her decease a neighbor woman came to stay with me. At usual bedtime, my wife remarked that we all better retire except the woman who would sit by the light and attend to her wants. Thus the whole house would be quiet and she could rest better. All passed off quietly until two o’clock, when she asked the woman what time it was. She told her, and soon after the woman noticed her raise her hands and let them quietly down again. She rose and went to the bed. She was gone. Thus quietly passed off one that was feelingly missed by the whole family. She had been the great comforter of the family for many years. Although a trial for us to part, yet it was rather consoling that she was so calmly called away, without any severe bodily suffering. Her death occurred on the 31st of the 5th month, 1865. The funeral was attended by a large crowd of sympathizing friends and relatives. Being thus left lonely, it happened that about a year previous our youngest daughter had lost her husband, and she and her two children came to abide with us. She was fated to lose the youngest child in less than a year after its father’s decease. For the time being she took charge of the household, but being of a delicate constitution it was deemed advisable to release her from the charge. Israel Hole, her sister’s husband, an eminent school teacher, making no permanent location, resided in different localities to suit his calling. Although they had improved a home near his father’s residence where they resided more than two years, being a distance form the railroad station and my place convenient to it, he was induced to purchase the mortgage and possess it as a home with me. They had two children, twin sons, then about four years old. I disposed of such personal property as I did not need and had a very comfortable home. For several years previous I had been improving the farm, and had it in such elegant trim that they had not been on it more than two years until a purchaser offered them such a large sum, cash in hand, that they could not refuse it. Finding that I did not with to leave my old neighborhood, they made a purchase of 20 acres of land convenient to the station. On it were some old buildings, two of which they renovated, and built a two- story addition to the one-story house. They also built an entirely new barn. In the erection of the new part of the house they appropriated a room on the first floor especially for my convenience. It had a portico door commanding the most extensive and pleasant vier of the surrounding neighborhood. It was furnished with everything necessary to render me comfortable in my declining years. Thus situated, I mention it as being the place and surrounding where this volume is now being compiled.