Clay County, SD Biographies.....Miller, De Witt Clinton 1854 - 
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Author: Geo. A. Ogle & Co. (1897)

DE WITT CLINT0N MILLER, who is widely and extensively known as a breeder of
thoroughbred swine, the proprietor of the "Woodburn herd" of Poland-Chinas and
the originator of the celebrated Medium family of that breed of hogs, has his
headquarters at Vermillion. He was born in Wooster, Wayne Co., Ohio, July 2,
1854, and is a son of the late Isaac H. Miller, who died in Vermillion, February
9, 1896, and Elizabeth (Shilling) Miller. The latter passed away in Freeport,
Ill., December 6, 1863. Two children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Miller-Milton E.
and De Witt C.-the youngest being, the subject of this brief biography.

    De Witt was about two years of age when his parents removed from the Buckeye
state to Freeport, Ill., and in the latter place he grew to manhood, attending
during his boyhood the schools of the city. When he had reached more mature
years he became a student at the Union university, of Albany, N. Y., and
graduated from the law department of that institution May 24, 1880, with high
honors, and was admitted to the bar of New York state. Upon the completion of
his studies he returned to Freeport, Ill., where he was also admitted to the bar
of that state. But the next year he came west to Vermillion, Dak. Ter., and here
he has since made his home. He was originally engaged in the cattle business, in
fact continued in same until March, 1893; but in 1890 he began breeding fine
hogs and since 1893 has devoted his time and attention wholly to that branch of
business. Mr. Miller's hogs are really fine, and the following clipping
appearing under the heading "Woodburn Wake-ups" in the American Swineherd, of
Chicago, will explain itself:

    "We are informed by D. C. Miller, Vermillion, S. Dak., proprietor of
Woodburn herd of Poland-Chinas and the originator of the great Medium family,
that the Mediums still rule the roost! That the latest sensation occurring with
this prominent family was the purchase of Bertha Medium 78668 at the sale of O.
D. Hart's, Kingsley, Iowa, on August 28th, for $1,550.00 by D. C. Miller. The
sow was not catalogued for sale and Mr. Hart put a reserve bid on her of
$800.00. This sow was three years old, being farrowed August 18, 1893, at
"Wood-burn," sire the renowned breeder, Happy Medium (nineteen of his pigs
having sold for $9,500-averaging $500), dam was John H. Bebout's great sow, Best
of 1890.

    "Bertha Medium was sold to O. D. Hart in April, 1894, for $50 by D. C.
Miller. While at Oakwood, she proved herself a great brood sow, always having
large litters, having raised ten this summer. She is a first-class sow in all
respects, being right up on her feet, fine coat, perfect head and ear, a long
and deep body and active as a kitten. Mr. Miller says she is a good purchase as
an investment, to cut ten coupons off in a single year; a government bond won't
touch her.

    "Miller breaks the record twice-first in paying the highest price for a sow
at public auction or any other sale; second by buying more of his own breeding
than any other breeder and paying a big advance over the price for which he sold
the animal sto the party. This sale shows that Mr. Miller is willing to take his
own medicine in the Mediums. Some of the boys say, ' If you want a sure thing,
buy a good pig of Miller at about $50 and sell it back inside of two years at
ten times the cost and upwards.' "

   The marriage of Mr. Miller and Miss Lillian A. Burrell was celebrated in
Freeport, Ill., January 15, 1885. Mrs. Miller is a native of that city, born
April 9, 1857, and by her marriage to our subject has become the mother of two
daughters-Margaret and Helen. Mr. Miller, like all good citizens should, takes
an interest in local matters, but he has never been an aspirant for political
preferment, choosing to devote his time to his personal affairs and the
enjoyment of domestic happiness.


Additional Comments:

Extracted from:

MEMORIAL AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD
OF 
Turner, Lincoln, Union and Clay Counties,
SOUTH DAKOTA.

Containing Biographical Sketches of Hundreds of Prominent Old Settlers and
Representative Citizens, with a Review of their Life Work; their Identity with
the Growth and Development of these Counties; Reminiscences of Personal History
and Pioneer Life; and other Interesting and Valuable Matter which should be
Preserved in History.

ILLUSTRATED
CHICAGO.
GEO. A. OGLE & CO.
Publishers, Engravers and Book Manufacturers.
1897.


Biography is the only true history.—EMERSON.

A people that take no pride in the noble achievements of remote ancestors will
never achieve anything worthy to be remembered with pride by remote
generations.—MACAULAY.


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