John Q. Miller was born in Fairfield County, Ohio, December 21, 1826. His parents, Christian and Martha Miller, were both reared in that county, having emigrated thither with their parents. His father was a farmer, and followed that occupation at the old homestead until death. He died in September, 1872, his wife having died several years previously.
John, their son, grew up under circumstances not the most encouraging. His educational advantages were limited, and he was compelled to depend in great measure upon his own resources for whatever knowledge he obtained. The farm was small, and each of the sons contributed his labor in the home economy. At the age of eighteen, each of the boys in turn became apprentices at some mechanical trade, and one of the elder brothers subsequently erected a blacksmith shop on the home farm. With this brother Mr. Miller began to learn the trade, at the age of eighteen. He remained with him for three years, during which time he acquired proficiency as a blacksmith. At the end of his apprenticeship, he desired to go abroad and earn his living by the practice of his trade; and , lacking a little of his majority he asked his father’s consent to the project. The latter did not refuse to let him go, but intimated that he was not competent to earn his way in the world, and said, among other discouraging thing, "You will come home barebacked in a short time." With these words ringing in his ears, young Miller left home. They stimulated his ambition and fired his determination; and who can know how much they had to do with all his after life. In Hancock County, Ohio, he at once found employment with a blacksmith, for whom he worked at the rate of $10 per month. After a short time, work grew scarce, and Mr. Miller suggested to his employer that he would like to attend school, if the latter would board him for such work as he could do before and after school hours. The proposition was accepted, but he was only permitted to attend school for sixteen days, as the was then full of work, and his services were again in demand. At this juncture, he formed a partnership with his employer, which continued for nearly two years. In the meantime, he lived well, but not extravagantly, and at the same time saved money. He procured a fine suit of clothes, and with $170 as the savings from his two years work, returned home, a living refutation of his father’s prediction. The was pleased with the result, and was quick to acknowledge his misconception of his son’s character. Shortly after returning to his home, Mr. Miller went to work at his trade in the shop formerly occupied by his brother, who had then removed to another county. Here he worked with a will and as a consequence, earned and saved money. He was married, on the 5th of June, 1851, to Miss Elizabeth Hiestand, daughter of David Hiestand, Esq., a highly respected citizen of Fairfield County, Ohio, and, at a later date of Carroll County, Ind. In September, 1852, Mr. Miller came to Carroll County with his wife, and located upon a tract of twenty acres in Madison Township. His land was not only covered with a wilderness – it was also low and wet. He first saw it after an unusually wet season, and consequently, under the most unfavorable circumstances. But the prospect was not cheerful, at best. To add to his troubles, his best horse died on the second night after he arrival here, and owing to the expenses incident to moving and getting ready for housekeeping, he found himself unable to buy another; so for two years, he was compelled to hire a horse of one of his neighbors, to take the place of the one dead. In spite of discouragements, he toiled cheerfully on, and during that winter cleared a portion of his land and set out an orchard. Little by little, in after years, he added to his farm by the purchase of adjacent lands, until it comprised 120 acres, the larger portion of which is now cleared and under a fine state of cultivation. Among the important improvements which he has instituted are the ditches that underlie his farm, adding so largely to its value and fertility. By a due observance of economy, coupled with the most tireless industry and energy, Mr. Miller has advanced from the rank of a poor boy to that of an opulent farmer. And, while he has been advancing in worldly prosperity, he has not neglected his higher duties. He is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and has always lived consistently with his profession. He is recognized among all who know him as an upright, honorable man, and all his dealings with his fellow men are conducted upon the fairest principles.
His noble wife has been an important assistant in his progress, and still survives to share with him the comforts of his prosperity, as she shared the hardships of the early years in the wilderness of Madison Township. Their wedded life has been blessed by eight children Franklin P., Amelia J., Walter A., Christian O. and Viola G., all of whom now survive.
County Coordinator: Suzy Sprague suzyq.wa@worldnet.att.net