John D. Miller (1812 - 1888)

Born 1812 in Fishkill, Dutchess, New York, United States

Ancestors

Husband of Hannah (Chatfield) Miller — married 6 Dec 1861 in McHenry, Illinois, United States

Died 8 Feb 1888 at about age 76 in Marengo, McHenry, Illinois, United States

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Biography

John was born in 1812. He was the son of Jesse Miller and Sarah Mills. He was likely born in Fishkill as that is where his parents were living. However, if he was baptized it may have been in nearby Poughkeepsie. John was a carpenter by trade. His mother was dead by 1831 and John left Dutchess County afterwards for the wilder hamlet of Perry Centre, then in Genesee County, now in Wyoming County, New York.

John was mentioned in the 1839 probate papers for his mother's brother, Robert Mills Jr., who had died. He later returned to Poughkeepsie and appears in the 1850 census with wife Caroline and three children, Jesse, Clarance (Clara) and Ruben and land worth $1,000. The key to understanding this was the military record for son Ruben Miller, or Reuben, which stated he was born in Perry, Genesee County. Likely all three children were born in Perry, then grew up in Poughkeepsie. Caroline died, either in Poughkeepsie or when John moved again to Marengo, McHenry County, Illinois. about 100 miles northwest of Chicago.

In Marengo, he married Hannah Chatfield in November 1861. John and Hannah had two children, Arthur and Charles. Late in life John began calling himself John D Miller. It's unlikely he was born John D. as none of his siblings had middle names but a baptism record would be helpful. John died in Marengo in February 1888 in his 76th year. In his obituary it was mentioned he was well-known for his business of house painting and that he was a quiet, kind-hearted gentleman, a good neighbour, husband and father. He was survived by his widow, sons Reuben, Arthur, Charles and a son in Waverly, Iowa, and a daughter, Mrs. Loren Bailey of Rockford.

Sources

• 1850 United States Federal Census, Poughkeepsie, Dutchess, New York, John Miller 38, born New York, carpenter, real estate value $1,000, Caroline Miller 40, born Connecticut, Jesse Miller 14, born New York, Clarance Miller (Clara) 12, born New York, Ruben Miller 10, born New York
• Probate papers filed by executor Reuben Miller of estate of late Robert Mills Jr. of Fishkill dated 27 April 1839, notifying heirs: "John Miller of Perry Centre, Genesee County..."
• Illinois, U.S. Marriage Index 1860-1920 John D. Miller, Hannah Chatfield 25 Nov 1861 McHenry County, Illinois
• 1870 United States Federal Census, Marengo, McHenry, Illinois, John Miller 57, carpenter, Hannah Miller 41, Arthur Miller 7, Charles Miller 2
• Illinois Deaths and Burials 1749-1999, John D Miller, death 8 Feb 1888 Marengo, McHenry County, age 75, painter
• Newspapers.com, Marengo paper 10 Feb 1888: Obituary for John Miller who died Feb 8, 1888 in Marengo