From History of Jones County, Iowa, Western Historical Company, Chicago, 1879, page 649.

From History of Jones County, Iowa, Western Historical Company, Chicago, 1879, page 587.

From History of Jones County, Iowa, Western Historical Company, Chicago, 1879, page 587.

In the district schools of this county Henry D. Miller received his first training in the elementary branches of English education. He then passed on to the high school, returning, after lessons were completed to the work on the farm. For several years he merely assisted his father, and then, when he became of age, the latter took him into partnership in the management of the old homestead. This was a section of land which his paternal grandfather had entered in 1844, and eighty acres of which have since come into his possession. For about sixteen years, however, he operated it in conjunction with his father and at the same time engaged in the breeding and raising of fine shorthorn cattle. In 1901 he embarked in mercantile business at Morley, Iowa, and also opened a store in Martelle, where in addition to a general line of merchandise he handles hardware and farm implements of all kinds. Some years ago he was foremost in promoting the organization of the First National bank in Olin and has since been one of its directors, but with all his business interests he has continued in his agricultural pursuits. The old homestead is still his home, though he has increased his landholdings from time to time until he now owns three hundred and thirty acres on sections 7 and 8, Rome township, and the stock business is still his specialty, for he enjoys the reputation of having perhaps one of the best herds of shorthorn cattle in the county, if not in the state of Iowa.

On the 15th of March, 1891, Mr. Miller was married to Miss Myrtle Farnham, who was born in Rome township, June 19, 1868, and is a daughter of H. P. and Mary C. (Ristine) Farnham. The father was a native of Hanover, Massachusetts, while the mother was born in Ohio, but shortly after their union the couple came to Iowa, which was then in the first stages of its development. Here they have spent their years and are still residing in this county. In their family were six children, and Mrs. Miller has become the mother of two: one who died in infancy; and Florence, who was born July 21, 1899.

A democrat in his political affiliations, Mr. Miller is yet no politician nor office seeker, for his private responsibilities have claimed all of his time. He has, however, been able to attend the meetings of the local lodge of the Modern Woodmen of America and of the Masons. He is a most devoted adherent of the latter organization, having attained to the thirty-second degree of the Scottish Rite. Mr. Miller belongs in the ranks of those men who have used their every opportunity to its fullest and obtained from each a success that has advanced them far upon the road of life. The excellent condition of his farm bespeaks the character of his husbandry and the prosperity that has followed his business operations is an indication of his acumen in the world of affairs.

From History of Jones County, Iowa, Past and Present, R. M. Corbitt, S. J. Clarke Publishing Co., Chicago, 1910, p. 587.

From History of Jones County, Iowa, Western Historical Company, Chicago, 1879, page 675.

From History of Jones County, Iowa, Western Historical Company, Chicago, 1879, page 568.

From History of Jones County, Iowa, Western Historical Company, Chicago, 1879, page 603.

L. K. Miller was reared at home and participated in the work of clearing the land and making a home in the heart of the wilderness. He received such an education as the common schools of the period afforded and worked on the home farm in his youth and until he became of age. When twenty-one he acquired his farm in Rome township, virgin soil at that time, but he prepared it for the reception of seed and for further agricultural work. He improved it, too, in many other ways, adding buildings of good character and cultivating his fields in such manner that they, produced richly. As the years brought him success he was enabled to add to his original tract and at one time owned five hundred acres of excellent land. This he has now either sold or bestowed upon his children. for with advancing years he was desirous to be relieved of its care.

In 1852, Mr. Miller was united in marriage to Miss Mary A. Green, who was born in Warren county, Indiana, in 1832, and was the daughter of Thomas and Effie (Stingley) Green. Her mother was a native of Ross county, Ohio, while her father was born in New York state. In 1840 the parents came to Iowa, having traversed the prairies by means of a team of horses, and they took up their residence in this part of the state. They passed away at the dawn of the new era, for whose advent they had prepared. One of a family of fourteen children, Mrs. Miller became the mother of ten: Thomas M., of Rome township; Loretta J., deceased; William A., now a resident of Davenport, Iowa; Alice, the wife of Samuel Pieper, of Olin; Edward S., of Olin; Jacob N, deceased; F. W., of Olin; John H., of Anamosa; Henry D., of Rome township; and Emma, the wife of J. 0. Farnham, of this same township. Mrs. Miller died May 22, 1902, leaving a husband and eight children to mourn her loss as a faithful wife and devoted mother. She was laid to rest in Center Chapel cemetery.

Mr. Miller has always been stanch in his allegiance to the democratic party, and was for twelve years a school director, in this capacity rendering the township valuable service. A man reared from childhood to the necessity of hard work, he has lived to see the benefits of persistent industry. He was successful beyond the average, and the rest he now enjoys is well deserved and very enviable to those who are still struggling along the road he has already traversed.

From History of Jones County, Iowa, Past and Present, R. M. Corbitt, S. J. Clarke Publishing Co., Chicago, 1910, p. 562.