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MILLER, FRANCIS M. - The rich farm land of Sangamon County yields handsome returns to those who till it, and a number have accumulated fortunes from their property there. One of the substantial farmers of Curran Township is Francis M. Miller, residing on Section 24. He is a native son of the county, having been born in Chatham Township, February 11, 1836. His father was Jacob Miller, a native of Kentucky, while his mother bore the maiden name of Lucinda Potts and was born in Virginia. The parents were married in Kentucky, where they resides for some time, coming to Illinois in 1824, locating in Chatham Township, where the father entered 120 acres from the Government, dying upon his property in 1860, after a life devoted to farming. His wife died fifteen years later, aged eighty-six years. The paternal grandfather came from Germany, while the maternal grandfather was born in England. Jacob Miller served in the War of 1812, while a son William, was a soldier in the Civil War. There were thirteen children in the family of Jacob Miller, three of whom were born in Kentucky.

Francis M. Miller attended school in the little log building in his neighborhood, where he sat on slab benches, and at other times gave his boyish help on the farm. All his life Mr. Miller has been engaged in farming, spending thirty-seven years in Chatham Township, thirteen years in Auburn Township, and eleven years in Loami Township, and in 1902 bought 120 acres in Curran Township, which continues to be his home.

On October 7, 185i, occurred the marriage of Mr. Miller and Eliza J. Trimble, born in Curran Township, March 28, 1840. Her parents were born in Kentucky and married there. They had six children, two of whom survive, one son, James A. Trimble, residing in Springfield. The Trimbles came to Illinois at an early day, locating first in Morgan County, but later coming to Sangamon County, where the father died January 21, 1900, the mother having passed away December 9, 1866.

Mr. and Mrs. Miller became the parents of ten children, two sons and eight daughters, one of whom is deceased, Myrtle Alice, born July 7, 1882, died February 21, 1883. Those living are Flora A., born February 17, 1860; Sadie E., wife of John Miller, living on a farm near Auburn, was born October 9, 1863; Mary F., wife of Oscar Patterson, living on a farm, was born August 27, 1865; Lilly, wife of Harry Miner, living near Alberta, Canada, was born June 8, 1868; Luella, born July 17, 1869, at home; Mrs. Georgia E. Bascom, a widow, born February 25, 1873, is a school teacher in the Sangamon County schools; Lydia Belle, born September 23, 1875, wife of Miles Fanham, lives on a farm in Auburn Township; William H., born January 26, 1877, lives in Chatham Township; John A., born October 30, 1879, lives with his father. There are sixteen grandchildren and one great-grandchild, all of whom are living. The seventh of October, 1908, the golden wedding anniversary of Mr. and Mrs. Miller was celebrated, all of the children and grandchildren being present, as well as 185 other guests. Both Mr. and Mrs. Miller enjoy excellent health. They own their farm of 120 acres, which is in fine condition. Mr. Miller cast his first vote for Abraham Lincoln who was a warm, personal friend of his, and he has ever since continued faithful to the party the great man helped to found. He is a member of the Christian Church, as is his wife, and both enjoy their religious privileges. He has served as School Director in the several townships in which he has made his home, and where he is pleasantly remembered not only as an official, but also as a capable and successful farmer.