Joseph Miller was born in Cumberland county, Pennsylvania, in 1802, where he resided until he came to Newton township. In 1838 he came to Whiteside county on horseback, with his brothers John and Samuel. When they arrived at Chatham and Harrisburg, where Sterling now is, they traded their horses for lots, and as a consequence, upon their return, were obliged to walk nearly the whole distance to Cincinnati, swimming rivers and carrying their baggage. Mr. Miller returned to Whiteside in 1840, purchasing the claim of the Piercys on section 21, where he now resides. He was married in 1832 to Sarah Grier, who died September 18, 1836. March 14, 1839, he was married to Elizabeth Thompson. She died October 14,1867. In 1869 (19 January) he married Mrs. Ege, who is now living. Children: Rachel A., now Mrs. Sailhammer; Louis G., Joseph Alexander, Sarah S., John N., Mary J., Samuel T., William M., Moses F. and Joseph Arthur. Louis G. died of disease contracted while at Vicksburg nursing his brother, who was wounded; Joseph Alexander died of wounds received at Champion Hills; John N. died in infancy. All the other children remain in Newton township.

John Miller, brother of Joseph Miller, was born in Cumberland county, Pennsylvania, in 1800. He settled on section 21, in Nevlton, in 1840, and died the same YEar. He was unmarried.

Samuel Miller, brother of Joseph & John Miller, was born in Cumberland county, Pennsylvania, in 1792, and died in Newton, October 6, 1846. He was married to Rachel Thompson. Mrs. Miller died December 25, 1848, aged 46 years. Mr. Miller settled in Newton in 1839, and purchased a portion of the Stallnaker claim in section 15. Children: Sarah Ann, now Mrs. J. B. Work, of Winona, Illinois; Louis F., now in Kansas; Mary, now Mrs. J. H. Marshall; Rachel E., now Mrs. Wm. Marshall, of Kansas; Samuel N. and John H. The two last reside upon the original farm in Newton.

History of Whiteside/Bent & Wilson 1877

Elizabeth Thompson born 25 July 1815, Newville, Cumberland Co PA, was the daughter of Alexander & Sarah (Scroggs) Thompson. It is said that she had seven children but all died in early childhood, names unknown. Joseph Alexander Miller is probably the son of Elizabeth.