Miller Family History & Genealogy

History

THE MILLERS IN AMERICA.

A THOROUGH perusal of the following life sketches of noted Millers, eminent in all walks of life, will reveal the fact that the Millers have been actively and intimately associated with the ecclesiastical, civil, industrial and commercial affairs of America; and to become conversant with their history will naturally create in our children a source of pride in the name of Miller heretofore unappreciated.

As builders and merchants they have built cities and illumined the marts of trade; in the field of science and medicine they have obtained great prominence; in the arena of statesmanship they have produced men of thought and men of action; while at the bar and in the administration of justice they have shown erudition and wisdom. As clergymen, educators and lecturers they have occupied high places; as musicians, composers and artists they have contributed profusely to social life; and as authors and poets they are worthy to be crowned with a laurel wreath of fame. Also as heroes of colonial, Revolutionary and later wars they have rendered patriotic service, each one of whom has added luster to the name of Miller.

Name Origin

Among names taken from trades is the name of Miller, sometimes spelled Miller, also Mill, Mills, Milne, Milnes, Milman and Milner.

It is possible that this last name may, in some cases, have been derived from Milliner, so called from Milan, the work having originated from the sale of a particular dress first worn at Milan, Italy, hence Milaner, which in English is Milliner.

Miller may be regarded as a purely Scottish name. THE FIRST OF THE NAME OF MILLER IN AMERICA.

One of the first settlers in New England was Alexander Miller, who settled in Dorchester, Mass.; and was a proprietor in 1634.

Rev. John Miller was a minister of Roxbury, and also a proprietor in 1635. In 1663 he left his property to his son John.

John Miller was a proprietor and town officer in 1648. His sons were Samuel, Joseph and Benjamin.

Thomas Miller, a tailor, came in the Elizabeth; and settled in 1635 in Dorchester. He was proprietor and town officer in 1637. The division of his estate was made between Thomas and Nathaniel Miller.

Joseph Miller came to New England in 1635 in the Hopewell.

Richard Miller settled in Charlestown, Mass., in 1637. He had two sons, Joseph and James.

Robert Miller went before the General Court in 1646 at Concord, Mass.

William Miller was a resident of Ipswich, Mass., in 1648, and was paid for service against the Indians in 1646. COATS-OF-ARMS OF THE MILLER FAMILY.

Arms: Arg. a cross moline az. in chief a lozenge between two mullets of the last, in base a bar, wavy vert, impaling Montgomerie.

Crest: A hand couped at the wrist, the third and fourth fingers folded in the palm, arg.

Motto: Manent optima coelo. (The best things remain in heaven.)

(From "Origin and History of the Name of Miller: With Biographies of All the Most Noted Persons of That Name, and an Account of the Origin of Surnames and ... " Ulan Press (August 31, 2012) Author unknown.

Spellings & Pronunciations

Millar, Miler (The Book of Irish Families, Great & Small by Michael C. O'Laughlin

Nationality & Ethnicity

Scottish origins from Dumfriesshire.

Famous People named Miller

MILLER, ADOLPH WILLIAM, merchant, lecturer, was born Oct. 8, 1841, in Germany. He is a wholesale druggist of Philadelphia, Pa.; and prominent in the business and public affairs of that city. He is also lecturer on Materia Medica in the University of Pennsylvania; and occasionally contributes articles to medical literature.

MILLER, ALEXANDER McVEIGH, farmer, business man, state senator, was born in Nicholas county, W. Va. He is president of the board of directors of the Hospital for the Insane of Weston, W. Va. In 1901 he was elected a member of the West Virginia state senate; and has served on several important committees.

MILLER, ANDREW G., lawyer, jurist, was born in Carlisle, Pa. He was appointed territorial judge for Wisconsin in 1838; and upon the admission of the state he was appointed United States district judge and so continued until his death in 1874.

MILLER, MRS. ANNIE JENNESS, publisher, author, was born in 1859 in New Hampshire. She is a dress reformer of New York City; and publisher of The Jenness Miller Magazine. She is the author of Physical Beauty; Mother and Babe; and Barbara Thayer, a novel.

MILLER, ARTHUR SCOTT, soldier, lawyer, builder, was

born Nov. 13, 1848, in Alto, Mich. In 1864 he enlisted in the United States navy, and served to the end of the civil war. For a number of years he was court stenographer; then practiced law; and subsequently became an extensive builder of houses and blocks in Denver, Colo., where he now resides.

MILLER, CHARLES B., physician, surgeon, was born in 1844 in Dillsboro, Ind. In 1862-65 he was assistant surgeon in the United States army. For fifteen years he was president and treasurer of the school board of Lawrenceburg, Ind. He is now a prominent physician and surgeon of Helena, Mont.; has been president of the board of managers of the Montana Soldiers' Home; and president of the board of aldermen of Helena, Mont. His grandfather was a soldier in the war of 1812; and his great-grandfather fought in the revolutionary war.

MILLER, CHARLES EXUM, son of Hon. Lorenzo Dow Miller, the well known lawyer of Miami, Texas, and Louella Exum Miller, was born Aug. 20, 1895, in Mobeetie, Wheeler county, Texas. His father and mother worshiped him with a love of no ordinary character, and saw in the noble face of their precious boy a benefactor to God's posterity. They looked forward to a long life of pleasure and good works, but alas, the tomb on the hillside marks the resting place of that heavenly gift—our darling Charley. When he was only a few days old the nurse by mistake gave him laudanum, and death seemed certain to our angel child; but by good and loving nursing he survived, and while he lingered between life and death his father and mother, with wringing hands and aching hearts, were praying God to spare their angel boy. They promised God to lead him in the path of duty and teach him to pray; and prayed that he might be great on earth in leading souls to Christ. He often wanted to hear the Bible read and be told of the wonders of heaven. His father now keeps close to his heart his little testament with his precious name in it. He was baptized in the Methodist Church South when a babe, and God is able to make this short life a great ministry service; and this little sketch of his childish life is written in his name with the hope that God will bless these little words written here, and lead many to stop and think on his ways and turn to God. Charley used to say, How far is it to heaven, papa? as contemplating to go, and his greatest aim was doing good. He was pious, truthful and sympathetic. He told his papa to turn all prisoners out if they promised to be good (his father being state's attorney). His father often thought and told Charley that his influence for prisoners was great, and would not go unheeded if he requested it. He was a lover of his Sunday School, and had his badge No. 6—the year of his age. He would kneel down for prayer like a little man, and often insisted that the preacher go home with us for dinner, and would say that papa asked him to come. His father was a kind, indulgent man, and worshiped his children—especially Charley. He granted Charley all he asked of him. On Christmas Eve, Dec. 24, 1901, we were together in the town of Miami. Charley was busy buying childish things for others. Almost the last gift he made was his pocket book and four nickels and a copper pistol. His father used to say that all the giving comes from Charley; and it was a delight to teach the child that "it is more blessed to give than to receive." He owned a brand L. D. on his horses and cattle. His famous horses Bulley and Jake and Dock; his saddle rig was of the best, and the spurs that speak volumes to us now. His favorite dog Jack was his great friend and playmate. His brother, James Franklin Miller, was born Feb. 13, 1898, and died Aug. 15, 1899; and his sister, Winnie Davis Miller, was. born Sept. 17, 1900. They were all playmates, and often played campingout with little lanterns his papa bought him; and then played hide and seek around their fond mother's knee. Little Minnie missed him after he went away, and looked for him when his name was called in the places they used to play. While our darling Charley was near death's door, he pulled his mother near to his face and whispered: "Mama, won't I live?" She said: "Yes, my darling, you will live always." In a few moments he quietly passed away to live always in heaven. It seemed all the people turned out to render him aid and do him honor in his last hours on this earth. Judges and lawyers came to condole with his stricken parents. Revs. Whatley and Cartwright of the Methodist church conducted his funeral service. The school children and teachers and a large gathering of sympathizing friends filed through the old church where he used to go to his Sunday School. I looked on that angelic face of my precious dead. His little ministry on earth has made me to again renew my hopes and efforts to meet him in heaven; and when I think of his little prayer he used to say at night, I pray God to bless its efforts to do good here: "Now I lay me down to sleep. If I should die before I wake, I pray the Lord my soul to take. God bless Charley and keep him a good little boy; bless all the afflicted people and save us all in heaven with little budgy for Christ's sake, Amen." I pray this little prayer, like a ehainless letter, will roll on; and all the boys of the name of Charley, and others also, will pray it; and some sweet day meet him in heaven. His precious toys, books and Bible are tucked away to remind us of his little angelic words he learned here on earth in his short service of the blessed Father in Heaven. To such as him death has no sting, and the grave no victory. He died Jan. 21, 1902, in Miami, Texas. I shall ever pray that the word and all the Millers will meet him in heaven.—A. D. Miller.






MILLER, CHARLES RANSOM, journalist, was born Jan. 17, 1849, in Hanover, N. H. For several years he was associated with the Springfield Republican. Since 1879 he has been connected with the New York Times; and since 1883 has been editor-in-chief of that publication.

MILLER, CINCINNATUS HEINE-Joaquin Miller-author, poet, was born Nov. 10, 1841, in Wabash district, Ind. He is a poet and prose writer who, after a life of adventure in California, went to London in 1870; and speedily became famous as the author of Songs of the Sierras. Since 1887 he has lived in Oakland, Cal. He is the author of Songs of the Sierras; The Ship of the Desert; Songs of the Sunland; in prose: The Danites in the Sierras; Shadows of Shasta; Memorie and Rime; '49, or the Gold Seekers of the Sierras; The One Fair Woman; The Destruction of Gotham; and The Building of the City Beautiful, a poetic romance.

MILLER, DANIEL F., lawyer, congressman, poet, was born Oct. 4, 1814, near Frostburg, Md. For forty years he was a member of the Iowa territorial legislature, and in 185051 was a member of congress. He was a noted lawyer of Keokuk, Iowa.

MILLER, DANIEL H., congressman, was born in Philadelphia, Pa. He was a representative in congress from Pennsylvania in 1823-31. He died about 1880.

MILLER, DANIEL McLAW, lawyer. In 1856 he graduated from the College of Physicians and Surgeons of New York City. He has attained success in his profession at Oconomowoc, Wis.; and is prominent in the business and public affairs of his city, county and state.

MILLER, EDGAR JAMES, banker, was born June 19, 1864, in Whitewater, Wis. For twenty years he has been connected with the First National Bank of Huron, S. D.; of which institution he is now cashier. He is prominent in the business and public affairs of bis city, county and state; and has filled several positions of trust and honor.



MILLER, EDMUND BOSTON, clergyman, was born Feb. 2, 1853, in Greenville, S. C. In 1883-93 he was pastor of the First Baptist church of Grenada, Miss.; and since 1893 has been pastor of the First Baptist church of Arkadelphia, Ark. In 1892-93 he was vice president of the home mission board; in 1895-97 was vice-president of the foreign mission board; and since 1893 he has been financial secretary of the board of ministerial education, Ouchita college.

MILLER, ELIHU SPENCER, lawyer, educator, author, poet, was born Sept. 3, 1817, in Princeton, N. J. He was a lawyer of Philadelphia; and professor in the university of Pennsylvania. He was the author of Treatise on the Law of Partition by Writ in Pennsylvania; and Caprices, a volume of verse. He died March 6, 1878, in Philadelphia, Pa.

MILLER, ELIJAH, educator, clergyman, author, was born Feb. 16, 1842, in Springfield, 111. In 1884 he founded Sedgewickville Academy of Sedgewickville, Mo., which he conducted for five years. He has been president and secretary of the synod of Southern Illinois; and compiled A History of the Synod.

MILLER, MRS. EMILY HUNTINGTON, educator, author, poet, was born Oct. 22, 1833, in Brooklyn, Conn. She is president of the Woman's college of the Northwestern university of Evanston, 111. She is the author of From Avalon, and Other Poems; The Royal Road to Fortune; The Kirkwood Series; Captain Fritz; and Little Neighbors.

MILLER, GEORGE AUGUSTUS, mechanic, was born Jan. 29, 1856, in Danville, Mass. He is a master mechanic in the employ of Florida East Coast Railway at St. Augustine, Fla. He has filled a number of positions of trust and honor.

MILLER, GEORGE F., lawyer, congressman, was born Sept. 5, 1809, in Chillisquaquo, Pa. He was secretary of the Lewisburg university in Pennsylvania. He was a representative from Pennsylvania to the thirty-ninth and fortieth congresses.

MILLER, GEORGE P., state senator. He is prominent in the business and public affairs of Milwaukee, Wis.; and has filled several positions of trust. In 1901-02 he was a member of the Wisconsin state senate.

MILLER, GEORGE S., physician, surgeon. In 1891 he graduated from Rush Medical College of Chicago, 111.; and in 1892 from Detroit College of Medicine, Mich. He has attained success in the practice of his profession in Texas, and resides in Gause; and has filled a number of positions of trust and honor.



MILLER, MRS. HARRIET MANN, author, was born in 1831 in New York. Her writings have generally appeared under the name of Olive Thorne Miller. She is the author of a Bird-Lover in the West; Little Brothers of the Air; Bird-Ways; In Nesting Time; Four-Handed Folk; Little Folks in Feathers and Fur; Nimpo's Troubles; Queen Pets at Marcy's; Our Home Pets; Little People of Asia; The First Book of Birds; and other works.

MILLER, HENRY C, pioneer, farmer, was born April 17, 1820, in Clermont county, Ohio. He moved to Decatur county, Ind., when it was an unbroken forest, abounding in deer, wolves and bears. He helped to build the first railroad in the state; has been a justice of the peace; and received the nomination for representative in the Indiana state legislature; and other offices.

MILLER, HENRY IRVING, railroad manager, was born in Cleveland, Ohio. Since 1888 he has been superintendent of several railroads; and been prominent in railroad matters. In 1894 he became superintendent of the Vandalia Division of the Terre Haute and Indianapolis Railroad Company, which is the main line. He is now general manager of that corporation.

MILLER, HERBERT, banker, was born in 1856, in Kansas. Since 1858 he has been prominent in the business and public affairs of Lyon county, Kansas; and is now president of the State Bank of Admire. He has filled numerous positions of trust and honor in his city, county and state.

MILLER, HOLDEN TRIPP, banker, was born Feb. 1, 1841, in Byron, N. Y. He is cashier of the Bank of Batavia, N. Y.; and prominent in the financial and public affairs of his city, county and state.

MILLER, HOMER MARTIN VIRGIL, United States senator, was born April 29, 1814, in Pendleton district, S. C. In 1868 he was elected a United States senator from Georgia; and in 1890 was appointed principal physician of the penitentiary of Georgia. He died May 31, 1896, in Atlanta, Ga.

MILLER, HOWARD PHILIP, physician, surgeon, was born June 24, 1849, in Huntington, Mass. He is a prominent physician and surgeon of Seattle, Wash.; and has filled a number of offices of trust and honor.

MILLER, HUGH J., lawyer, jurist, was born Dec. 31,1866,

Early Millers

These are the earliest records we have of the Miller family.