DAVID C. MILLER owns a large and highly cultivated farm in West Point Township. He was the son of George and Mary A. (Seese) Miller, and was born May 27, 1840. His father was a native of Westmoreland County, Pa., where he was reared and where his marriage took place. His, wife was a native of the same county. After his marriage, George Miller moved to Clarion County and purchased a farm, which he cultivated until 1850, when he sold out and started West, coming via the Ohio and Mississippi Rivers to Galena, IL. Here he hired a team and by this means conveyed his family across the open country to Stephenson County. The journey was rugged and tiresome, but was much enjoyed by the children, who always find pleasure in novelty, and are too young to appreciate the anxieties and trials which a knowledge of the world brings to older hearts. The first season of his arrival here he rented a farm, and subsequently purchased the tract of land upon which his son, David C., now resides. About twenty acres of it had been broken and fenced ; and a log cabin was already standing upon the place, awaiting its new occupants. In the autumn of 1850, before the snow fell, the family moved into their new home on the western frontier, and here, by courage and self-sacrifice, he wrested from the wilderness around him a heritage for his children. In December, 1850, the family circle was broken by the death of the beloved wife and mother, and within three mouths of her death, two sons and a daughter also died. The following is a record of their family: Caroline became the wife of Joseph Uhl, and resides in Logansport, Ind.; John died in 1850, at the age of twenty-three; Sarah died in the same year at the age of twenty-one; William P. died in 1887 in Butler County, Neb., where he had been extensively engaged in farming: Mary Ann became the wife of of Henry Shrecrengost, and resides in Butler County, Neb. ; Eliza A. died in 1850, at the age of fourteen; Armstrong, who died in infancy, and David C., the subject of this biography.

David C. Miller was in his tenth year when he came to Illinois with his parents. His boyhood was passed attending school and assisting his father on the farm. At his father’s death he became the head of the family and assumed the management of the farm, which he has carefully cultivated and improved, erecting thereon commodious and tasteful frame buildings. His estate, which is divided in two farms, comprises 280 acres of valuable land. In 1860 he was married to Miss Rosetta Schudt, a native of Germany. They have a family of five children—George H., Augustus C., Oscar W., Miiier and Celia. Mr. and Mrs. Miller are prominent members of the Lutheran Church. Mr. Miller is one of the substantial men of the township; he has always taken an active interest in educational affairs and held the offices of School Director, and Road Commissioner. He votes with the Democratic party.

Transcribed by Christine Walters
History of Stephenson County 1888 Portrait & Biographical Pg 493