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File contributed to the Fulton County ILGenWeb Project
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Source: The Historical Encyclopedia of Illinois and History of Fulton County
Munsell Publishing Co., Chicago, 1908

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The Biography of S. S. MILLER 

Transcribed exactly according to the original complete text by Anne Marie Willis. 

[Surnames: JOHNSON, MILLER, NEGLEY, OTTO, RICE, ROUTHLEDGE, SWIGERT, WOLFE] 

[Page 997] 

    
MILLER, S. S. (deceased), for many years one of the most industrious, upright and highly respected farmers of Canton Township, Fulton County, Ill., was born in Franklin County, Pa., in 1833, a son of Jacob and Catherine (Swigert) Miller, his father having been a native of Germany and his mother of Pennsylvania. In the latter State the subject of this memoir received the benefits of a good common school education during his early youth, and at a later period learned the trade of a carpenter. 
    
A short time after reaching his majority Mr. Miller left his Eastern home to better his fortunes in the West, and proceeding to Illinois, settled in Fulton County. After his arrival there in 1856 he at first applied himself to his trade, which he followed for several years. He then determined to enter upon agricultural pursuits, and in 1863 bought from William D. Johnson a farm of 148 acres situated on Section 6, Canton Township, to which he subsequently added seventy-one acres, bought of John Otto, on the opposite side of the road from his original purchase. On this place Mr. Miller carried on farming throughout the remainder of his life, and it is still the family homestead, occupied by his worthy widow and two of her sons, who continue the work so long conducted by the lamented husband and father. All the present improvements on the property were made since Mr. Miller came into possession of it, and some new buildings have been put up by the family since his death, which occurred March 25, 1892. He was a very diligent, careful and thorough farmer and success attended his labors. In all the relations of his life he was faithful to the dictates of duty. 
    
Mr. Miller was married in 1858 to Mary C. Negley, a native of Franklin County, Pa., where she was born in 1840. Her father, Jacob Negley, was a physician, who settled in Fulton County in 1844, living, however, but a short time after he established his home there. The children resulting from the union of Mr. and Mrs. Miller were as follows: P.D., who lives in Peoria, Ill.; Wissie A. (Mrs. Rice); George B. who is engaged in farming; Allan A. and Clarence E., who are on the home farm; Cardie M. (Mrs. Routhledge); Sarah C. (Mrs. Wolfe), and Fred S., whose home is in Canton. The estimable mother of this interesting and capable family, a lady of most amiable character, strong common sense and sound judgment, still retains her vigor of mind and body and is the object of sincere respect and cordial regard among a wide circle of friends.