Joseph S. Miles was an enterprising business man of Mr. Carrroll and cashier of the First National Bank and later bank president. Mr. Miles is a native of Mt. Carroll, born in what was known as the first house erected in Mt. Carroll, a son of Owen P. and Hannah P. (Shirk) Miles. His father for many years was connected with the Halderman Mill, an early enterprise of Mt. Carroll, and later cashier of the First National Bank. Joseph S. Miles was married June 15, 1887, to Grace Coleman, daughter of John and Mary (Dresbach) Coleman, of Mt. Carroll and the children born to this union were Nathaniel, Coleman, Theodore, Owen P. and Elizabeth. The Miles family has been identified with the best interests of Mt. Carroll since the town was founded and have a prominent part in its development and progress. Coleman Miles was one of the best known musicians in the Northwest and director of Carroll County bands for a great many years. Coleman was also Mayor of Mt. Carroll, was the owner of the largest and most widely advertised Leghorn chicken farm. He had Mallard ducks and wild geese, also. He later built up one of the area's largest mink ranches and ran a dog kennel of registered English Bull dogs. Coleman Miles was one of the most companionable of men, a sportsman who loved the open spaces, hunting and fishing. Mabel and Coleman Miles had one child, Mary Jean Miles born October 22, 1918, at Mt. Carroll.

Source: A Goodly Heritage Supplement #1 Spring 1975