James Miller, p. 994

JAMES MILLER. In the array of progressive agriculturists who have risen to prominence, and who have contributed substantially to the material prosperity of Washington county, stands the worthy man whose name opens this biographical sketch.

James Miller, grandfather of subject, was born in the Emerald Isle, immigrating to America in early manhood. He first located in Lancaster county, Penn., where in 1782 he married Miss Margaret Shearer, who was also born in Ireland. In 1786 the young couple moved to Washington county, Penn., and made a home on the farm in Mt. Pleasant township now occupied by their descendants. Mr. Miller made three visits to Ireland after settling in America. He took an active part in politics, and served his township as justice of the peace. He died in 1819 in Mt. Pleasant township, his widow surviving him many years. Both were members of the Seceder Church.

John Miller, father of subject, was born on the home farm in Mt. Pleasant township, and in 1815 was united in marriage with Margaret Miller, a native of Ireland, who came with her parents to America in 1811. After their marriage Mr. and Mrs. Miller settled on the home farm, where seven children were born to them, namely: Margaret, who was married to John Givan, of Beaver county, Penn., and died in 1872; James; Sarah, married to William Marshall, of near Lawrence, Kans.; Mary, who was married to Robert Givan, of Beaver county, Penn., and died in 1872; Nancy, first married to Samuel H. White (who was murdered for money in 1857, in Chartiers township), now living in New Concord, Ohio, the widow of Rev. McManus; Elizabeth, who married John Miller, and died in July, 1890; and Ann, deceased wife of J. G. Paxton, of Chartiers township, this county. Mr. Miller, who always followed farming, died in 1859, when over seventy years of age, his widow surviving him till 1871. Both were formerly members of the Seceder Church, afterward uniting with the Chartiers Cross Roads United Presbyterian Congregation.

James Miller, the subject proper of this memoir, was born September 23, 1819, on the old home farm in Mt. Pleasant township, Washington Co., Penn., where he grew to manhood, receiving his education in the primitive subscription schools of the period. On February 11, 1852, he was united in marriage with Margaret Givan, a native of Beaver county, Penn., daughter of William and Letitia Givan, natives of Ireland, who made their permanent home in Beaver county, Penn. The father died in 1873, the mother having passed away some years before. After their marriage Mrs. Miller lived on the home farm, eight miles from Washington, which contains 257 acres of well-improved land, and has been in the possession of the family for 106 years. Mr. Miller has erected a good residence, a tenant house, three comfortable barns and two sheep houses, all commodious and well-built. Politically he is a Democrat, has served as supervisor, and nine years on the school board. He and his wife have been members of the Chartiers Cross Roads United Presbyterian Church for forty years. They have no children.

Text taken from page 994 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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