H. C. Miller Biography


	This biography is from "Memorial and biographical record; an illustrated
 	compendium of biography, containing a compendium of local biography,
	including biographical sketches of prominent old settlers and 
	representative citizens of South Dakota..." Published by G. A. Ogle & 
	Co., Chicago, 1899. Pages 785-786

	Scan, OCR and editing by Maurice Krueger,mkrueger@iw.net, 1998. 

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H. C. MILLER. While the race is not always to the swift nor the battle 
to the strong, "the invariable law of destiny accords to tireless 
energy, industry and ability a successful career. The truth of this 
assertion is abundantly verified in the life of Mr. Miller, who is now 
successfully engaged in agricultural pursuits on the northeast quarter 
of section 4, Pleasant Lake township, Aurora county, South Dakota. 

He was born in Monroe county, Wisconsin, in 1860, of German parentage, 
and was reared upon a farm, while his education was obtained in the 
common schools which he attended until fifteen years of age. After that 
he worked in the pineries of Wisconsin, and at threshing or at any 
other occupation which he could find to do, giving his parents his 
wages until twenty-two, when he commenced working for himself, For some 
time he was employed in the lumber woods during the winter and on the 
log drives in the spring and summer. 

One rainy, dreary day in the spring of 1882 Mr. Miller was clearing 
land in Wisconsin with no intention of coming to Dakota or going 
anywhere, until suddenly becoming tired of grubbing he threw his ax as 
far as he could send it and started for home with the purpose of going 
some place where grubbing did not have to be done. He made up his mind 
to come to this state and three days later was on his way to Aurora 
county. A friend induced him to start a butcher shop in Plankinton, 
and, returning to Wisconsin, he brought back with him some cattle and a 
butcher's outfit. Here he successfully engaged in the butcher business 
for three years, and on selling out in 1885 he bought a stage line, and 
for nine months ran a stage between Plankinton and Oak Hollow by way of 
Grand View, meeting with most excellent success in that venture. Later 
he was engaged in buying and shipping stock and afterward clerked in 
the meat market of Lindsey Brothers, of Plankinton, for two years, and 
for E. M. Cramer in a general store for the same length of time. In the 
spring of 1890 he purchased a meat market, which, after successfully 
conducting for two years, he sold at a good advantage. He was elected 
sheriff of Aurora county by a majority of three in the fall of 1892, 
and so acceptably did he fill the office that he was re-elected in 
1894. While holding that position he also owned a half interest in a 
livery stable on Main street, Plankinton, but finally sold the same to 
his partner, A. H. Dunn. 

In the spring of 1897, Mr. Miller purchased the northeast quarter of 
section 4, Pleasant Lake township, and now has one hundred and twenty 
acres under a high state of cultivation, and with rented land has three 
hundred and twenty acres in pasture. Although he is engaged in general 
farming, he makes cattle raising his specialty and has upon his place 
twenty milch cows and thirty head of other cattle. He has remodeled the 
buildings upon the farm, making them good and comfortable, has made 
many other improvements, and has a well which is operated by a windmill 
and can furnish enough water for four hundred head of cattle. 

January 8, 1890, Mr. Miller was united in marriage with Miss Christina 
Tiedmann, a native of Germany. They are the parents of three children: 
Eunice, born January 7, 1892; Rena; born March 29, 1896; Myrtle,. born 
September 21, 1897. Both Mr. and Mrs. Miller are members of the 
Lutheran church and socially he is connected with the Independent Order 
of Odd Fellows and the Ancient Order of United Workmen. In the spring 
of 1899 he was elected to fill the position of township supervisor for 
Pleasant Lake township. In all the relations of life he has been found 
true and faithful to every trust reposed in him, and his pleasant, 
genial manner has gained for him a host of warm friends in his adopted 
county.