Transcribed by Mary Ann Kaylor
Page 1463:
MILLER, FRED H. - The younger generation of farmers in Sangamon County are profiting from the experiments made by the government and the experience of those who have gone before them, and are operating their land along scientific lines with results often surpassing those of former years. One of these progressive young men who has done much to advance the cause of agriculture in his county, is Fred H. Miller, of Sections 32 and 33, Maxwell Township. He was born in Chatham Township, April 7, 1884, a son of Thomas J. and Amanda (Jacobs) Miller. The Jacobs family are mentioned elsewhere in this work.
Thomas J. Miller was a son of James Miller, and grandson of James F. Miller, brother of William G. Miller, whose family history is treated of at considerable length elsewhere. Thomas J. was born in Sangamon County and followed the calling of a farmer in Chatham Township. He married in Chatham Township, was a man of quiet, domestic tastes, and for many years served as School Director and Road Commissioner, being elected on the Democratic ticket. This most excellent man was killed on March 10, 1910, from falling into a tile ditch, in such a manner as to break both legs. The injuries were so serious as to lead to internal complications, and he finally passed away, aged fifty-four years, leaving a widow and three children to mourn his untimely taking away. His children are: Iva May, wife of Fred Butler, a farmer of Chatham Township; Otto C., now operating the homestead in Chatham Township, and Fred H. The father was a man who carried out the Golden Rule in his everyday life. Always willing to assist others in time of need, he often left his own work to attend to theirs. Both he and his wife early joined the Christian Church.
Fred H. Miller attended the district school of Chatham Township, and was brought up to hard work on the farm, remaining at home until he was twenty-two years old. On March 7, 1906, he was married to Bertha E. Workman who was born in Loami Township, January 18, 1886, a daughter of Stephen Workman (deceased), who is mentioned elsewhere. Mr. and Mrs. Miller have three children: Edith, born March 2, 1907; Lois, born June 18, 1908, and one son, James Thomas, born August 2, 1910.
After their marriage this young couple rented land in Loami Township for two years, operating sixty acres. In February, 1908, they moved to their present 120 acres farm on Sections 31 and 33, which they own, although Mr. Miller operates 240 acres in the township. He is a practical farmer, fully appreciating the wisdom of rotating his crops and using improved methods and machinery in his work. His farming operations require seven horses and five mules, the former being mares of high-grade Percheron stock. He also makes a specialty of raising Poland-China hogs. It is his aim to feed a carload of hogs each year, and his product is so good that he receives for them the highest market price. He plants from 130 to 140 acres in corn, besides raising both wheat and oats, his corn averaging from fifty to sixty-six bushels per acre. Mr. Miller has always voted the Republican ticket, and both he and his wife are consistent members of the Christian Church. Fraternally he is a member of the I.O.O.F., No. 901 of Loami. Providing for the future of his family, Mr. Miller carries insurance in the Franklin Life Insurance Company and the Bakers Life Insurance Association of Des Moines, Iowa. A man of energy, progressive and public-spirited, Mr. Miller has a bright future before him, and is destined to accumulate a handsome competency through his own intelligently directed efforts.