CALVIN L. MILLER, a prominent and successful farmer of Donegal township, is of Irish descent. The first member of the family to locate in Washington county was Christopher Miller, who was born and married east of the Alleghany mountains. In 1782 he and his family made the perilous journey across the mountains, and entered Washington county, locating about three miles north of Claysville, near the headwaters of Buck run. Here he secured a "tomahawk claim" of 400 acres, upon which he erected his cabin home, and began to clear the forest. The Indians were still troublesome, and made frequent raids through that part of the country, and for defense against their common foe, Christopher Miller, together with his few and distant neighbors, erected a blockhouse, to which they were several times compelled to flee for safety. Mr. Miller was a pioneer of Donegal township, and passed the remainder of his life in that neighborhood. He was twice married, but the names of his wives are unknown. His children were William, John, Christopher, Jacob, Sarah, Mary and Margaret, all of whom passed their lives in Washington county. The four sons located on portions of the 400 acre tract, which land was equally divided among them. John Miller was born in 1780, east of the Alleghany mountains, and when yet a child came with his parents to Washington county. In 1802 he was married to Margaret Guy, who was born March 15, 1776, near Fredericktown, Md., and afterward came to Washington county with her parents, John and Elizabeth Guy. To the union of John and Margaret (Guy) Miller were born the following children: William, born July 17, 1803 (lived and died in Washington county); John, born January 1, 1805 (deceased in Washington county); Elizabeth, born January 11, 1807 (died unmarried in Washington county); Susanna, born February 23, 1809 (deceased wife of William McKay, of Washington, Penn.); Christopher (father of our subject), and George B., born December 10, 1812 (deceased in Washington county). Mr. Miller's share of the original 400 acres which his father had owned was 100 acres. He lived and farmed upon this tract until his death, which occurred July 8, 1814. His sons then carried on the farm, upon which his widow continued to reside until her death, which took place May 26, 1847. Christopher Miller, now a hale and hearty old gentleman, of Donegal township, was born February 14, 1811, and passed his boyhood days on the home farm with his widowed mother. He was obliged to assist with the farm work, and was thus deprived of a good education, but managed by close application to make the most of his meager opportunities. On May 21, 1840, he was united in marriage with Sarah J. Knight (who was born November 21, 1823), daughter of Charles Knight, of Washington county, and their children were as follows: Leamon (deceased), born February 16, 1841; Calvin L. (subject of this sketch); Mary J., born July 19, 1844 (unmarried, and living at home); George H., born April 23, 1846 (a physician at McDonald, Penn.); Charles W., born March 15, 1848 (living near Coon Island, Penn.); Margaret C., born September 12, 1849 (Mrs. John Holmes, of Donegal township); Frances E., born February 18, 1851 (widow of Bruce Ramage, residing with her father); William B. (deceased), born August 28, 1854; and John B. (deceased), born September 1, 1857. After his marriage Mr. Miller located on a part of the "tomahawk claim," which was first secured by his grandfather, and is his present home. He has always been a farmer, and although now well advanced in years has never been sick but once in his life, and that was in early youth. In political life he was formerly a Whig, and when the party was formed, became a Republican. His wife died in 1884, and his daughter has lived with him since that time. Calvin L. Miller was born August 18, 1843, in Donegal township, this county, on the headwaters of Buck run. He attended the common schools, and worked on his father's farm until twenty years of age, when he worked one season for Adam Carson, and having pleased his employer by his energy and steady habits, he remained with Mr. Carson eight years. In 1873 he was married to Margaret Taylor (who was born December 29, 1853), daughter of Thomas and Susan (Darlington) Taylor, of West Finley township, this county, and they had five children: Christopher W., Carrie E., Jessie Belle, John L. and George Lawrence. For some time after his marriage Mr. Miller resided on the "Graham Farm," located about two miles north of Claysville, this county. He then moved to West Finley township, and in 1886 located on his present home, situated about one mile north of Claysville, in Donegal township, on a part of the old Gourley farm. He has erected a fine house, barn and outbuildings, which have greatly enhanced the value of his property. Politically he has always been a Republican. Mrs. Miller is a member of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church at Windy Gap.

Text taken from page 805 of: Beers, J. H. and Co., Commemorative Biographical Record of Washington County, Pennsylvania (Chicago: J. H. Beers & Co., 1893). Transcribed March 1997 by Neil and Marilyn Morton of Oswego, IL as part of the Beers Project. Published March 1997 on the Washington County, PA USGenWeb pages at http://www.chartiers.com/.

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