COLUMBIANA COUNTY OHIO - MORRIS/MILLER History Chapters 25 - 34 (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 7, 1999 *********************************************************************** "HISTORY OF THE MORRIS AND MILLER FAMILIES" By Morris Miller 1873 *********************************************************************** Chapter 25 A Short Sketch of S. H. Miller As I promised in the preceding chapter to speak of Robert’s son, I shall now comply with my promise. Samuel Holland Miller, named after his grandfather, early in life developed a strong taste for mathematical studies. His father had given him an ordinarily good education and sent him one term to high school at Mt. Pleasant, it being conducted under the rules of the Society of Friends as a finishing point for the young members of that Society. Thus the parents had fulfilled their obligation towards him in regard to getting an education. His father wished to make him comfortable in that respect, as he was likely to be the only heir to the farm when he was gone. He was very quiet and rather reserved in his deportment and appearance, yet his propensity for improvement in mathematics induced him to solicit deep intercourse with some of the best mathematicians our country afforded. Among his Grandfather Holland’s things, after his death, was found a case of drawing instruments, which none of his family had any taste for using. Young Holland procured them and in his little study which he had fitted up in his father’s spring house loft, he plied them as occasion afforded. Thus his skill in drawing was first known and much admired. In the fall of 1850 the track of the Cleveland & Pittsburgh Railroad was laid and a station intended to be built about a hundred rods from his father’s house. In a hurry the company laid down a small piece of side tract and put up a rough board shanty to do business until they could build a station house the next spring. The agent whom they had placed there, wishing to retain his position, and it being anticipated that a large amount of produce would be shipped there, conceived the idea of having the station house differently constructed from what it was then, i.e., to have a platform on each side and the roof of the house to project out over each side alike, the side track to be on the opposite side from the main track to get it to the cars on the side. The agent came to me to know how he could get the engineers to adopt his plan, knowing that I had much to do with the engineers in my business. I told him my ultimate plan was, when I desired success, to present a drawing of my idea, as that would lay the matter before them much better than words, as they are a class that do not like to be dictated to. Then he wanted to know if I could execute one for him. “No,” I replied, “my fingers have become too rigid to execute a good one.” “Who can I get to do it?” he inquired. I told him to get Holland Miller. “Does he know anything about such work?” he again inquired. “Yes,” I replied, “get him here and show how thee wishes to have it and he will execute one suitable for the occasion.” He did as I advised him, and when the engineer came around in the spring to lay off the work the agent began to tell him how he would like to have the station house constructed. The engineer did not appear to comprehend his ideas, but the agent drew a paper from his pocket and presented it to him, saying, “Here is a drawing I had prepared, thinking it would explain my ideas better than I could by words.” The engineer viewed it with marked attention. See him as he observes how gracefully the curves were executed and the attachments to the switches so accurately drawn. He raised his head and exclaimed, “Yes, yes, your plan will do. Who executed this?” “What’s he doing here?” he inquired. “He is working on the farm with his father,” the agent informed him. “Can he be procured?” was the earnest inquiry of the engineer, seeing at a glance that there was talent manifested in the execution of the drawing that should not be allowed to slumber. Soon after the River Division of that road was commenced, he was invited to accept a situation as an assistant engineer for the location of said road. He accepted the situation and was successful in rising to be one of the principal assistants of the engineer. He faithfully maintained the situation until the road was finished. Thus he was practically qualified for civil engineering much better than any collegiate course could have rendered him. He may be justly considered one of the self-made civil engineers and architects of our country. To even mention the various public works upon which he has been employed for the last 20 years would transcend the limits of this work. For a little over a year past he had been engaged as engineer and architect in the construction of the great arch viaduct between Cleveland and Ohio City. I always claim that such individuals appear to be divinely gifted for such purposes, in which I am strengthened by the following lines: Superior beings when of late they saw, A mortal man unfold all Nature’s law, Admired such wisdom in an earthly shape, And showed a Newton as we would show an ape. (From Pope’s Essay on Man) Chapter 26 History of Isaac Miller Isaac Miller made his home mostly on the farm with his father until entering upon his 28th year. He took more interest in clearing than any one of his brothers, and for the last seven years of his service at home he had a share in the grain and also some interest in the stock. Apart from this he cleared a few acres of land for the purpose of raising tobacco, built a cabin dry house upon it and tried a couple crops, but found that it did not reach his expectation; hence, he abandoned the tobacco business, thus leaving the land in a good condition for grain. Thus, by prudent industry and economy he had acquired enough means to give him a little start in the world. He became acquainted with a young woman by the name of Martha Pennington to whom he was married, according to the rules of the Society, the 25th of the 5th month, 1830. Shortly after marriage they settled on a farm adjoining that of his father’s on the north, but they did not live there much over a year, when they sold out and purchased a quarter-section east of his father’s farm – the same tract that Joseph Dutton first settled upon. Having been occupied by tenants, it was much out of repair, and hence it only commanded a small price. In process of a few years they improved it and erected entirely new buildings, thus rendering it a very comfortable home. To them were born five children, three sons and two daughters, all living to be men and women. Isaac engaged successfully in buying and selling stock, first cattle and then mostly sheep. His farm afforded convenient pasture until a drove was all bought and collected in ready for market. Thus time glided along for more than twenty years, when he became desirous of selling out and going West. He having a brother and his wife with five sisters living there was a great inducement to draw them away. Soon after they left the aged father-in-law and step-mother followed after them. In a short time another brother and sister followed also. I should have mentioned before that three of the Miller brothers married three sisters of the Pennington family. A little further explanation here seems necessary. Two of the elder sisters of the Pennington family had married two brothers – James and John Langstaff – and settled in Cincinnati, and were bidding fair to prosperity. Some years after, Levi Miller, who had married Mariah Pennington, meeting with various discouragements in eastern Ohio, migrated and settled as a renter on a farm near Cincinnati, upon which he ultimately prospered and soon purchased a farm of his own situated in Clermont County. These were the incentives that induced Isaac Miller to leave his home in Columbiana County. He settled in Clinton County, but his former tide of prosperity did not attend him so well in his latter days. Several of his speculations resulted rather unfavorably, yet he did not despair, hoping the future would prove otherwise. In the early part of the spring of 186 . by a little undue exposure, he was seized with a pleuratic attack that defied all medical aid, by which he was carried off in a few days, much to the regret of all who knew him. His funeral was largely attended. My two older sons were in attendance. He was interred in the Friends burying ground in Martinsville, where they had been residing for several years previous. His widow is now comfortably situated in New Vienna, with three of her sisters and their families living near by. Mary Jane, the eldest child, married Taylor Langstaff. To them were born three children, two of whom died in infancy, since which the mother died also. The other child is still living at last accounts. The oldest son, Zadoc by name, is married and had several children. At last accounts he was engaged at telegraphing in New Vienna. Deborah Ann married a man named Parker, with whom she is living in Knightstown, Indiana. They have several children. He is a sculptor in the marble business. Wilma was married about eight years since. He is now station agent at Martinsville. I have no account about his children. Isaac Newton was considered a very expert telegraph operator, at which he is engaged in Chillicothe. It is but justice to say that he extended dutiful care to his aged father-in-law while he lived. Chapter 27 History of Mary Miller Mary Miller, the second daughter, married a man named Moses Votaw in the spring of 1831, if I am not mistaken. They lived most of the summer at his father’s until he built a small house on an 80-acre tract on unimproved land situated near the (now) town of Guilford, where they settled and resided about 33 years. In process of time they cleared out a comfortable farm and erected substantial buildings. To them were born five sons and one daughter, all of whom lived except the oldest son, a very promising young man. He was afflicted with consumption which, in a few years, called him away, much to the regret of all who knew him. The names of the children are, respectively, Joseph, Levi, Robert, Rebecca, Morris and Ellmore. They were all industrious and generally favored with good health. Apart from erecting good buildings, they had been prosperous enough to add 60 acres more of improved land to the west end of their farm, thus making it very desirable for agricultural pursuits. Robert engaged as an apprentice at the carpenter trade, but did not continue at it more than a year when the urgent demand was made for more forces in the army, for which Levi, Robert and Morris were called. It was a great trial to the parents, especially the mother, whose health had begun to decline. Two of them were favored to return home, but the younger one, Morris, it is supposed perished in Libby Prison, as he was never heard of after being captured and taken there. In the fall of 1864 the mother’s health became more serious, a complication of complaints attended with rheumatic pains, bore her down. She departed this life on the 12th of the 11th month, 1864. Her funeral was largely attended by a sympathizing crowd of friends and relatives. The remainder of the family kept together until they each married and settled to themselves. Here I am at a loss for exact dates, and hence I will have to write from memory. I believe the children all married in less than two years after the mother’s decease, leaving the father by himself. Some time after this he made the acquaintance of a lady named Wickersham, a member of a very respectable family formerly from the East. They married and resided on the homestead about three years, when they concluded to retire and leave the farm to the occupancy of two sons, Levi and Ellmore. They having been reared exclusively to farming were the best adapted to the business. The father had engaged the building of a mansion house in the village of Winona, about three miles from the farm. Upon its completion they moved to it, I think in the spring on 1872, where they enjoyed the comforts of retirement for near two years, when the father was stricken with a rather light attack of paralysis which disabled him considerably. Although he was not impaired in speech of mental faculties, yet he is much restricted in his activities. The daughter Rebecca married a man named Henry Thomas. Several years ago they emigrated to Michigan, where they are doing well. She visited her father and others about a year since. Robert, the one who served at the carpenter trade, married in the family with whom he served and is now carrying on the house carpenter business in Canton with energetic ability and satisfaction. Chapter 28 History of Levi Miller Levi, the fourth living brother of Levi Miller’s family, remained at home on the farm until the close of his twentieth year when he went to get some insight in the fulling and cloth dressing business with John Antrim near Salem. After leaving there he made the acquaintance of Mariah Pennington, to whom he was married on the 3rd of the 3rd month, 1831. Soon after marriage they commenced the erection of a small house on a five-acre lot near the southeast corner of his father’s land. A water power could be had there. He improved it and erected a fulling mill and convenient sawmill. At first this promised pretty fair until the summer of 1835 a canal was being constructed. This interrupted the water power. Thus, Levi had the honor of bringing the first steam engine to Hanover Township. These changes accrued a considerable expense which became very embarrassing. After running it a few years he sold out and concluded to embark in another branch of business. He had an interest in a vein of coal on the Monongahela River in Washington County, Pa., and he resolved to go there and try his fortune at mining and boating coal down the Ohio. In a few years the business was rendered unprofitable by the adoption of slick water on that river, and it had been so ever since. They felt much discouraged, not having realized their expectations in that business, and eventually returned to Columbiana County. For a time they endeavored to render themselves comfortable by renting and farming on a small scale, but again they were disappointed in advancing as they had hoped. Mariah’s health had become so delicate that she was seldom able to attend to her household duties. Thus discourages, they resolved to try the West. Mariah having two sisters, an uncle and an aunt living in Cincinnati, they hoped through their influence they could get on a small farm as renters and attend market with their produce, and by so doing they could make a living easier than where they had no market to go to. They started for Cincinnati in the latter part of the year 1843. They obtained a location about two miles west of the city, where they resided some seven or eight years. Mariah’s health became good, and by industry and economy they ultimately prospered, and had the satisfaction of seeing the scales of fortune turn favorably. Again I am at a loss for exact dates, but I believe about 1852 they purchased a farm in the eastern part of Clermont County, where they resided successfully until 1867, when they sold out again and purchased a small farm near New Vienna, Clinton County. Levi has been favored to enjoy good health, free from rheumatic afflictions, longer than any of his brothers. In a recent letter to me he stated that he was able to do as large a share of a day’s work as he ever did. Of their children I know but little. The oldest child, William, distinguished himself some years since by his skill in mechanism, by the invention of a hoisting and lowering platform to be used at large hotels. I am not informed how he had been prospering recently with it, but I wish him much success. Their oldest daughter named Mary Ann married Taylor Langstaff, the same person that married Isaac Miller’s oldest daughter, who deceased, as before noted. They reside near Bay City, Michigan, where he is engaged in the lumber business. It was his misfortune to be bereaved of parents when very young; hence, he was reared in the family of Benjamin Antrim near Salem. In the autumn of 1872 he and his wife made a visit to Antrim’s and called upon us also. Although a brief visit, it was highly interesting to have their company. Mary Ann was especially interested in reviewing the place of her nativity and the changes that had occurred during the 30 years of her absence, in all of which she evinced such fine talents that her company was very interesting to all, particularly her aged uncle, the writer. Levi and his wife were fated, like many others, to lose one promising son in the War of the Rebellion. Chapter 29 History of Hannah Miller Hannah Miller, the eldest daughter of Levi Miller, married Jacob Reader, an inmate of a very respectable family. They were both members of the Society of Friends, and hence married according to its order, in the early part of 1828. They began entirely in the woods. His father had purchased a quarter-section of wood land, situated on the east side of West Township, which he apportioned to three of his sons. They commenced by putting up a small hewed log house into which they moved and began work much like the first settlers 20 years before. They were favored with good health, and got along with reasonable prosperity for six or seven years. They had planned a good apple orchard, and were just beginning to be comfortably situated in their new abode. They concluded to try tobacco raising, but it was unprofitable. Their children were then coming to an age to go to school, and having then no prospect of one convenient, being somewhat isolated from best society, they concluded to sell their little home, rid themselves of embarrassment, and try renting in a more congenial locality. They accordingly did so, and for a number of years made a reasonably good living besides schooling their children and having much income, as farm products had not been much enhanced in value by public improvement in this locality. Feeling much discouraged by their embarrassment in trying to procure a home in this country, they resolved to emigrate to Iowa. A younger brother of Jacob’s had sold his tract of land adjoining their former home and had gone to Iowa with his father-in-law, and they embarked on a steamer for Henry County, Iowa, taking with them, I believe, a span of horses and some implements for farming, that being the business in which they intended to engage while there. They arrived safely and got in a situation as renters, hoping the tide of fortune would turn favorably by and by. But years rolled on without bringing the desired success that they had hoped to realize by leaving Ohio, yet they were favored with a reasonable competency and good health. I went out to see them in the autumn of 1869. They had given up renting some years before and had purchased a few acres of land in the suburbs of Salem, with tolerably good buildings on it. It afforded a pleasant home, being well adorned with good fruit trees. He kept a cider mill, which yielded a reasonable tribute during that season of the year. They had seven children, all of whom lived to be men and women. There were two sons and five daughters: Priscilla, Mordecai, Abigail, Levi, Elizabeth, Deborah and Rebecca. I do not have the dates of their births or marriages, but will give each a passing remark. Priscilla married a man named Taylor a short time before the family went to Iowa. About two years later they also emigrated to the same place. She did not live long after moving there. She expired soon after the birth of her second child. Feeling much discouraged, he came back with his two children to Ohio. I shall speak of them hereafter. Mordecai married a woman by the name of Melissa Grewell, a daughter of Timothy Grewell, formerly of Stark County, Ohio, but latterly of Cedar County, Iowa, where Mordecai married and settled and is now engaged in the teaming and threshing business. The latter during its season is his particular business. He and his wife were on a visit to his father’s when I was out to see them. I shall also notice them hereafter. Abigail, the second daughter, was the second of the children to marry. Her husband’s name was William Bond. They lived together about seven years, when he was called to resist the Rebellion, from whence he never returned. His wife remains near the home of her father in Salem and she boards the teachers of the high school near by. She then had several children, some of whom are grown. Levi, the second son, was engaged (when I was West) in the blacksmith business some few miles from Salem. Recent accounts say that he is now married and doing well. Elizabeth married a man named Thomas Shampanau, an industrious shoemaker and the owner of a house, lot and shop in Salem. Deborah was abiding mostly with her parents when I was there. I understand recently that she was engaged in the asylum at Mt. Pleasant as assistant matron, a position which her pleasing appearance and affable deportment well filled. Rebecca married a man named Webster Manning, a shoemaker and photographer. He owned a house and good building in Salem. As I promised to notice Priscilla’s children, I now subjoin. Shortly after his mother’s death, he came back and settled in Mahoning County, where his father has long resided. In process of time he married again. His youngest daughter was married over two years ago. He and his sister paid us a visit recently. She had a small baby two months old. When I looked upon the child, my mind ran its ancestry back to its fourth great-grandmother, with whom I was personally acquainted in early boyhood. She was then very old, being the mother of my grandfather, Isaac Morris, and the elder sister of Benjamin West. Mordecai M. Reader, the eldest son, living in Cedar County, Iowa, was unfortunate when a small boy to fall on a stub of a dry weed, puncturing one eye so as to lose the sight. Some two years since, when feeding a threshing machine, which was his vocation, he felt something like a drop of water strike the remaining eye. It gave no alarm for the moment, but soon the eye began to run out, thus leaving him entirely blind, beyond all hope of recovery. It is supposed that a sharp scale from the machinery inflicted the fatal wound. Thus situated, he truly merits the charity of his friends and relatives. The Reader family always maintained a good record in society, notwithstanding that they were never favored with a bountiful supply of this world’s goods. Chapter 30 History of Sarah Miller Sarah Miller, the third daughter of Levi Miller, was from early life very sedate in her general deportment and turn of mind, having no disposition to indulge in idle sports and amusements, but seemed to inherit more of her father’s turn than either of his other children. She lived at her father’s until near the close of her twenty-second year, when she married to a young man named John P. Grewell, a son of Timothy Grewell, Sr., of Stark County, Ohio. They were married according to the order of Friends at Sandy Spring Meeting on the 24th of the 9th month, 1834. They resided for several years in various localities to suit his calling as a school teacher, at which he was engaged at Sandy Spring the winter previous to marriage. In about three years he concluded to turn his attention to the study of medicine, and in a short time he qualified himself for practice, at which he has been engaged ever since. They were fated to lose four of their children by death. The oldest was a very promising daughter who deceased at three years of age. The next was a son who died in infancy, and next, a very promising daughter named Caroline was called away at seven years of age. They were then living in the town of Guilford. Soon afterwards they removed to Damascus, supposing it would be a better location for his profession. A short time after arriving there they lost another child. They erected a good mansion house in Damascus, where they resided a great many years. Here I am at a loss for exact dates, and will have to write from memory. About the year 1864 they sold their house in Damascus and bought a small homestead near Alliance, where they resided two years. Meanwhile their eldest living daughter, Alice, made a visit among her numerous relatives in Iowa. Sometime after her return her parents sold out and emigrated to Oskaloosa, Iowa, where they still remain. I visited them in the autumn of 1869 and found they had formed many creditable acquaintances, some of whom I visited with much satisfaction. They have four living children; viz., Alice, Charles, Eliza and Ella. Alice is considered a good school teacher. She is living with her father. Charles married a very respectable woman in the summer of 1869, but was fated to lose his wife in a short time afterwards. He returned to Ohio in 1873 and married Rhoda Penrose, of a respectable family. They had one child about a year old. In 1870, Eliza married a man named Johnston. I believe he is engaged in the mercantile business near her parents. They have two children. Ella still makes her home with her parents. In 1870 Sarah made a visit to her old home, where she was kindly received by all her acquaintances. Chapter 31 History of Samuel Miller Samuel Miller, Levi Miller’s youngest son, remained on the farm with his father until his marriage with Charity P. Pennington, which was consummated on the 30th of the 9th month, 1834, at New Garden Meeting, according to the order of Friends. They first settled in Hanover, where he engaged at the chair-making business, but not resulting as profitably as could be desire, he abandoned it and adopted that of keeping a house for entertainment, a business in the (then) rising village of Salineville. He is still working at his trade, their joint efforts making them a good living. After a time they removed to Damascus, where they resided several years. Soon after his brother, Isaac, moved to Clinton County, they became desirous of going there also, and accordingly moved and settled near his brother in the southeast part of the country. But eventually they moved and settled in New Vienna, where they now reside. Their establishment is known by the name of the Union House. They do not aspire to the name of hotel, as their business in that line had been strictly temperate. They never tolerated vain sports or amusements, but kept it in accordance with the rules of (the) Society they were brought up members of and still adhere to. In the summer of 1874 they left the occupancy of their house to their youngest daughter and her husband, while they made a general visit to their numerous friends and relatives in Columbiana County, where they were kindly received. Their relatives being numerous and much scattered, it required considerable time to visit them; thus, they were delayed until the time of the Yearly Meeting at Damascus, where they met many acquaintances. I hope to get a record of their children soon. Chapter 32 History of Rebecca Miller Rebecca Miller, the fourth daughter of Levi Miller, lived with her father until the close of her twenty-first year, when she was married to Joshua Jones, according to the order of Friends, at Sandy Spring Meeting, on the 20th of the 12th month, 1835. Joshua’s father was one of the first settlers in Butler Township. They owned a quarter-section a half-mile south of Damascus, on which they settled. It was partially cleared, but had no buildings on it. By industry they enlarged and improved until it became a very desirable homestead. To them were born six sons and five daughters, eight of whom are yet living at latest accounts. Two of the sons deceased when quite young; also the fifth daughter, Hannah, was afflicted with a weakness that terminated with a light attack of paralysis. She did not suffer much, but required considerable attention. I think she deceased in her 18th year. The names of those living are, respectively: Sarah, Ellwood, Deborah, Emily, William, Levi, Elizabeth and Byron. I have no record of the dates of their birth, but hope to get one for the appendix. Sarah was quite a prominent school teacher for summer terms until about six years since, when she married a man named Hog, with whom she is living on a farm in Jefferson County near Mt. Pleasant. He engaged frequently in buying and selling stock. They have two children. Ellwood learned the carpenter trade by working journey work. He married Elizabeth Crew, daughter of Jonathan Crew, who lived near his father’s farm. Soon after marriage they, with his brother William, went West, but had not been there long until an accident occurred resulting in the death of her father, thus leaving the farm without any of the boys being old enough to manage it. They returned and settled on it. After remaining there for a few years they removed to Canton, where he is now engaged at his trade. Deborah was the first to marry. While in attendance at Mt. Pleasant school, she became acquainted with a young man named Bundy, who was also attending school there. The acquaintance ripened in to marriage, after which they settled on a new farm near that of his father’s three miles south of Damascus. They are very comfortably situated, and, I believe, have four children. William is still in the West, where he was married in 1873. He is now engaged in the mercantile business. Levi remains single. He studied law after he became of age, at which he is now a successful practitioner at the bar in Canton. Elizabeth taught a few summer terms of school, after which she married William Purviance, with whom she in now living near Damascus. Emily and Byron make their home with their parents. Emily taught a few terms of colored school in the South. The family always maintained a good standing in society. Chapter 33 History of Deborah Miller Deborah Miller, the youngest of the Levi Miller family, had her home mostly at her father’s until the close of her twenty-third year, when an engagement of marriage took place between her and a young man named Simeon Fawcett, a son of William Fawcett. Their marriage was solemnized according to the order of Friends at Sandy Spring Meeting on the 30th of the 10th month, 1838. They first settled in a small tenement on the south side of his father’s farm about two miles northeast of Damascus. They lived there until his father’s deceased which occurred a year after that of her father’s. After his decease they arranged with the other heirs to take the homestead. This afforded them a very comfortable home for many years. I think they had four daughters in succession, and then a son. Simeon’s health never being robust, and not having the desired assistance, he concluded, after having occupied the farm more than twenty years, to dispose of it and adopt the mercantile business, hoping it would be more congenial for his declining health. Accordingly, he sold out and purchased a house and lot in Damascus, where he opened a store. After running it six or seven years, the business proved a failure. It is with extreme delicacy that I record this disappointment. Having drunk deeply of the same cup, I sincerely sympathize with all who are thus overtaken. Not willing to leave a dear sister and her companion a blank in the little history of our father’s family because they were thus unfortunate, I now resume and say that they surrendered honorably to his creditors. But he felt discouraged and concluded to make a short sojourn West. Having a brother going to visit his children near Kansas City, he accompanied him. After looking around a short time he concluded that if he had his wife and three minor children there they could make a reasonably good living by renting. This conclusion was responded to by his wife and children. Their relatives and friends assisted in gathering up the little avails that their household afforded. Thus encouraged, they went on their way, yet not without some fears by their best friends that the move might terminate unsuccessfully. But on the contrary, they prospered reasonably well, except in grasshopper time. Their call for aid then was promptly responded to by relatives. More latterly, we are pleased to hear that their misfortunes have not prohibited them from the attendance of meetings and society matters. Of their children I have as yet said nothing. I am not in possession of the dates of their births or marriages, not even the names of some of their companions; hence, my account will be incomplete. Lucinda, the oldest of the children, married a man named William Grove. They settled on a farm in Richland County not far from Wooster, where, from latest reports, they are doing well. Abigail married Oliver Benford. Some years after marriage they emigrated to Iowa and settled in Marshall County, where they are said to be prospering. Elizabeth married Julius Rush, a farmer by trade. Although a renter, he has made a comfortable living, and is favored with several pleasant children. Anna remained single longer than the others. She married a young man from North Carolina, who returned and settled there, since which I know but little of them. Edwin went West shortly after his father went. He is employed on a railroad in the southern part of Missouri, where he is married and doing well. He is not living very distant from his father’s. Elvira married Gelan Jones, a nephew of Joshua Jones, previously spoken of. They settled in Damascus, where he is now engaged at the teaming business. The three younger children who are yet at home are named Simeon, Deborah and Walter – nine in all – and if all are yet living they are the only parents of the Levi Miller family who have not parted with more or less of their children. Chapter 34 The David Miller Family As previously stated, the David Miller family came to Ohio late in the fall of 1816, and by settling in the woods it required several years of perservering industry to make them as comfortable as the Levi Miller family, who had preceded them about six years. The Dutton family having only recently begun their new home in the woods and being but one and a half miles apart, they enjoyed the society and mutual assistance of each other very satisfactorily. In process of time two more sons were born to them, making in all eight children – six sons and two daughters, all of whom lived to be married and settled to themselves. For convenience and reference, I give their names: Isaac, James, Mary, Hannah, David, Eli, Jonathan and Mordecai. A few years after they came to Ohio they built another log house near their first cabin, adding greatly to their comforts. They were generally favored with reasonably good health and strength, which made the forest yield to a comfortable farm. At suitable ages the children began to marry and settle to themselves, I believe each one according to the order of his age. I am now at a loss for exact dates and hence will have to write from memory. While the four younger brothers were yet at home, a laudable emulation existed in the family to imitate their cousins of the Levi Miller family, who had not disbanded until they had erected a good mansion house for their father to spend his latter days in. He having married and brought home to them such a kind stepmother a few years previous, they felt it a duty to see him comfortably situated before they left him. This same feeling of gratitude existed in the David Miller family, and although their frist brick kiln was a failure, they were not discouraged, but began anew. The next was a success; from it they erected an elegant brick structure. The father and mother enjoyed their new habitation for near twenty years. Their children all being married and settled, and beginning to feel the infirmities of age, they concluded to sell the farm to their oldest son and occupy a small frame house near by which had been built and occupied by their son James prior to emigrating to the west. About two years after their retirement the father was away a short distance in a one-horse vehicle. On his return, at a steep descent in the road, part of the harness gave way so as to render the vehicle unmanageable; hence, it overturned, injuring him so seriously as to prove fatal in a few days. This was a great bereavement to his wife and children, as he was the junior of the parents by several years and the most vigorous in health. Soon after his death the wife retired to live with her youngest daughter, Hannah, who resided about five miles away. She was comfortably situated and remained there during the balance of her life. She was much afflicted with bodily weakness for several years before her death, which occurred in 1866, when she was far advanced in her 87th year. I shall now briefly notice their children. Isaac, the oldest child, married Martha Shaw, daughter of George and Alice Shaw, who moved from Bucks County, Pa., to Ohio in 1821. After marriage they resided in different localities while he was engaged occasionally in droving cattle and sheep. In early days all such trading had to be done by driving the stock; hence, the term droving. They soon acquired means to get a small home of their own on which they lived a few years, then parted with it and bought a larger one in Stark County near the present railroad between Alliance and Lima. I think they lived there about ten years, when they sold out and made the purchase of his father’s farm. They had not lived there long until his health began to decline. He deceased about six weeks after his father’s death. This was another trial to them, as he was regarded next to the father in points of advice, etc. His wife being a very prudent and energetic woman, succeeded in bringing their five children (two sons and three daughters) along in the paths of rectitude, and now had the satisfaction of seeing them all comfortably settled. She remains a widow, and is abiding with one of her sons on the homestead of her father-in-law with her other son and two daughters living near by, and one daughter in Iowa, whom she visited about six years hence. James, the second son, married Deborah Taylor from near New Garden. They lived near his father’s for many years. Here he worked at the cooper trade. By industry they got enough means to settle in the west; I believe in Illinois. Their children were mostly daughters when here. The oldest was a young woman when they left near twenty years since. They have seven daughters and three sons. Mary, the oldest daughter, whom I should have noticed before James in course of age, remained with her parents several years after arriving to womanhood, occasionally teaching summer terms of school. She married a man named Cooper, a school teacher by profession. They lived near her father’s for several years, moving occasionally to suit his calling. About the time the brothers began to emigrate to the west, they moved to a farm of their own in Athens County. Occasionally she visited her aged mother and relatives. The last visit she made she was accompanied by one of her daughters, which was about four years since. I think she died about a year afterwards. Her husband made a visit here two years since, but did not see him; hence, could not learn the number or sex of their children. Hannah, the second daughter, married Benjamin Harris, a son of Isaiah Harris, one of the early settlers in the east side of Butler Township. Her marriage occurred before that of her older sister, Mary. They settled on a small farm of their own near that of his father’s, who had been dead several years. During his life he had several of his children living around him. Benjamin, a millwright by trade, had to be much from home, but his wife and children were rendered comfortable by being settled among their relatives. In process of time they erected good buildings and enjoyed reasonable prosperity for many years. The honorable part they acted in caring for her aged mother reflects credit on them not to be forgotten. They reared several children, all of whom I believe are married and settled near by. In the fall of 1869 she made a very satisfactory visit to her brothers James and Eli in Illinois. Late in the fall of 1871 she was bereaved of her husband. Being unduly exposed, he was attacked with an inflammation that proved fatal in a few days. In less than a year afterwards Hannah, hearing of the illness of her sister Mary, repaired to her immediately, and remained to the close. Recently she had lost two married sons, which, with the one lost in the Rebellion, she bears with Christian fortitude, meriting much respect. David was afflicted with phthisic during several years of his minority. His case was considered hopeless, but as he advanced in years it gradually left him. He remained on the farm with his father until his marriage with Mary Fulkes, a member of a very respectable family of that neighborhood. They settled and lived on a small farm north of his father’s. His wife was not a stout woman; hence, only reared two children. A few years after his father’s death they sold out and moved west, settling in Marshall County, Indiana. They had been there but a few years when his wife died. In course of time he married again, and is getting along with reasonable success. In the summer of 1872 he made a visit to his relatives here. Had I anticipated this writing when he was with us, I would have been better posted. Suffice it to say that he appeared to be enjoying himself. Eli was his father’s principal farmer and teamster previous to emigrating west. He married Sarah Moore. I do not know the date of their marriage, nor do I know anything about her parents. Prior to emigrating west they resided formerly in the old house, and latterly in the new one with his parents. They emigrated west with his brother James, and settled on a farm near his, where they still reside. Jonathan resided at home on the farm until he became of age, when he adopted the business of making chairs and bedsteads. He took up the business himself and built a shop near a stream of water that crossed the public road on his father’s farm, which he ingeniously employed to run the lathe. I believe he married soon after coming of age. His wife’s name was Eliza J. Stemington. Of her parentage or family I know nothing. They lived in the house that his brother James had occupied near the shop, where, I believe, they were reasonably prosperous. Some years before they left, he was afflicted with a malady in his head, which was feared would ultimately prove fatal. I can not remember the nature of it. When his older brothers went west, they went also, and settled near them, but he lived only a few years afterwards. I have no recent account of his family. Of the migration of Mordecai, I have but little to say, as he has grown gray in the township of his nativity, never having resided out of it. He lived with his parents until the time of his marriage, after which he resided near by. His wife’s name was Mary Halderman, whose parents had deceased previous to (her) marriage. Some twenty years ago they purchased a farm containing eighty acres in the west side of Hanover Township, on which they have lived ever since. It is a good fruit farm and has a good vein of coal also. They have reared but one child, a son, having several to die in infancy. He married in a very respectable family. They had not been living at his father’s quite a year after marriage when at the birth of her child she was called away by death. It was a promising child, but did not live more than six months. The son still makes his home with his father.