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Born in Ohio.
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MMiller
HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD COUNTY AND REPRESENTATIVE CITIZENS By Charles S. Miller (son of Enos)
ENOS STRAWN MILLER was born March 21, 1818. He was the eldest son of Christian and Martha (Strawn) Miller. The father. Christian Miller, was a man of robust health and great vigor, who took life seriously. He was of English extraction, his family com- ing to Ohio from Virginia. The mother of the subject of this sketch drew her blood from the well known family of Strawns, whose Ohio home was in Perry County, near Somer-...
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Born in Ohio.
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MMiller
HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD COUNTY AND REPRESENTATIVE CITIZENS By Charles S. Miller (son of Enos)
ENOS STRAWN MILLER was born March 21, 1818. He was the eldest son of Christian and Martha (Strawn) Miller. The father. Christian Miller, was a man of robust health and great vigor, who took life seriously. He was of English extraction, his family com- ing to Ohio from Virginia. The mother of the subject of this sketch drew her blood from the well known family of Strawns, whose Ohio home was in Perry County, near Somer- set. Their old farm was located along "Zane's Trace," east of the one-time county seat of Perry. The name of Strawn appears among the tax payers as early as 1806. Her family was of Gentian origin and members of it came into Ohio from one of the Atlantic seaboard states. Christian Miller was a man of pro- found Christian character. Late in life he learned the German language in order that he might be able to read the German Bible, for he believed the Gospel was more clearly stated in that tongue. By occupation he was a wagon- maker and general carpenter. He was very practical in his views of life, insisting that his boys should remain at home, working upon the farm until they had reached the age of eight- een. Then each one was taught some useful trade, thus being doubly equipped for the race of life.
Christian and Martha Strawn Miller had in all eight children, the others, in addition to the subject of this sketch being George, Elisha, Samuel, Anne, John O., Rebecca and Lewis C. Their record, in brief, is as follows : George learned the saddler's trade, and with his brother Elisha, who had learned the trade of the tanner, settled in early life in Cedar County, Iowa, where they became prosperous farmers and stock raisers and were held in high regard by the citizens. Samuel became an expert blacksmith and removed, at an early day, to Indiana. Here, in Wells County, he cleared a fine farm and reared his family. His children were Naaman, who held prominent positions in his county and state ; Edson, a most successful farmer, and Martha and Mary. Anne, the eldest daughter (of Christian and Martha Miller), married Jesse Macklin, to whom there were born three children, Carrie, deceased ; Charles and Essie, who are both liv- ing and prosperous. The Macklin farm was in Pleasant Township, on Pleasant Run. John O. Miller made his home in Indiana, where he carved a fine farm from the forest and reared a family of eight children (see sketch of Frank P. Miller). Rebecca was twice married, first to John Paden, in 1872, and after his death to Benjamin Rudesill. She died at her home in Baltimore in 1905 and lies buried in the new cemetery in that beautiful village. She left no children. Lewis C, the youngest of this fam- ily of Christian and Martha Miller, married Elizabeth Sites, a relative of the noted mathe- matician of that name. They lived for a num- ber of years at the old homestead in Pleasant Township; then they removed to a fine farm at Woodington in Darke County, Ohio. Many years later, after their family had been reared, they removed to a comfortable home in Green- ville, Ohio. Their children are Cletus, Laura (Mrs. G. W. Izor), Emma, Mollie, Manuel and Maude. Of these eight children — Enos, George, Elisha, Samuel, Anne, John, Rebecca and Lewis — all are gone to their reward — Enos in 1899, Anne in 1892. Rebecca in 1905, Lewis June 13, 191 1, and John Q., the last to pass away, in August, 191 1.
Enos Strawn Miller had but slight chance as as boy to gain an education. Those were the days in Ohio when schools and school teachers were not numerous, nor were they of high grade. Another difficulty in the way of an education in the early part of the Nineteenth Century was found in the fact that it usually required the help of the entire family to make a living. Nevertheless Enos acquired a fair knowledge of the common branches. He was a lover of books and a constant reader all his life. He always had a good weekly news- paper come to his home and alter, when it be- came possible, the daily paper was found there.
One of the achievements of which he was justly proud was that he had learned the wagon-making trade from his father, — and he had learned it so well that he could go into the woods, and with axe and saw prepare the tim- ber for a wagon, making every part of the woodwork from the trees standing in the pri- meval forest. And many were the wagons thus made, the faithfulness of his work being witnessed by the fact that there are many of his wagons still doing service in the county.
In his young manhood he met Miss Eliza- beth Radebaugh, daughter of Nicholas and Catherine Radebaugh. A mutual attraction sprang up between them, and later on a call was made at the residence of the young lady. this call was rather sudden and unexpected on the part of the father, whose answer to the first remark of the young man, "It is very dis- agreeable traveling tonight," was, "Yes, and there are always those traveling who have no business to travel."
But the young man held his ground, and did not "travel" at once. Later they were married (1845), an event alike fortunate for both par- ties, for they lied a long and happy life, each one seeking the pleasure and comfort of the other.
The Radebaughs were of German extrac- tion, coming originally from both Germany and Holland. On arriving in America they settled in Pennsylvania, whence they came to Ohio and made their final home in Fairfield County, .shortly after its organization. Nicho- las Radebaugh was a man of unusual physical strength, and of igorous health, even in old age. He was full of good humor and loved to play harmless jokes upon liis friends. He had the build of an old Roman gladiator and many are the instances of his strength in the field and at public gatherings in those early days. It is related that he and a friend carried a neighbor's farm wagon, piece by piece, and put it all in place astride the comb of the roof of that neighbor's barn, then loaded it and left it there to be discovered in the morning. He died in 1862 at the age of eighty-five. His faithful wife, Catherine Radebaugh, died in 1855 at the age of seventy-one years.
Their children were ten in number, namely: Mary, Relbecca. Joel, Esther, Elizabeth, who married the subject of this sketch, Daniel. Sarah, who married Levi Soliday, Samuel, Nancy, who married Alfred Clemens, and John, who married Maria Heberling of Lan- caster. Joel was one of the early county offi- cers, holding the office of Probate Judge in 1852, and being the first one elected to that of- fice in the county. He was also elected clerk of courts of the county and served three years. John removed to Columbus in 1861, filling im- portant positions in the State and National governments. During the Civil war he was a government inspector at Columbus — purchas- ing agent under Colonel Burr — handling thou- sands of dollars each week. He died at his home in Columbus, April, 1903, and is buried in beautiful Greenlawn. His wife still sur- vives, though the hand of affliction has fallen heavily upon her. Their children were Man- ville, Charles, Katherine, Ida, Grace and Frank. Of these, only the eldest, Manville, is deceased.
For several years after their marriage Mr. and Mrs. Enos S. Miller made their residence with his father at the old home in Pleasant Township. Then they removed (1850) to a farm of fifty-two acres, which they had pur- chased in Walnut Township, near Baltimore. Their home was one mile and a quarter east of Baltimore, on the Pleasantville road, and here they resided for the rest of their lives. The farm now has eighty-four acres. Here also Mr. Miller followed the vocation of wagon- making, and at the same time managed his farm. In 1882 he was elected to membership on the board of county commissioners of Fairfield county in which capacity he served two full terms, of six years, retiring in 1888. He served the people of his county faithfully and well, making the business of the county his own. He was always interested in good water, good roads and good bridges. One of the pieces of work which he secured and of which he was justly proud, is the substantial stone bridge or viaduct over Poplar Creek in the town of Bal- timore, a picture of which may be found in this history. He made use of every spring along the highways, arranging watering places for thirsty horse and driver.
During his membership on the Board, the indigent children were taken from the County Infirmary and placed in the new Children's Home (see illustration), which was established by that board for that purpose. The purchase of the site for this Home and the arrangement of all details, was a work of no small magni- tude. Mr. Miller was always deeply interested in this Home for the little unfortunate waifs of the county. His love for his fellow man, his ability and honesty, made and held many close friendships. His public service received the endorsement of the people, for he believed "a public office was a public trust." All through life he tried to be a consistent Chris- tian and, with his faithful wife, was a lifelong member of the United Brethren Church, and one of its officials.
Mr. Miller was a born mechanic and loved to use tools. He was an inventor, for his mind took the channel that was new, and he tried to improve upon the old ways of doing things. He invented and patented an end-gate for wagon-beds, by means of which the load could be removed much easier and quicker. For this original work he received a patent from the United States government.
The children of Mr. and Mrs. Enos S. Mil- ler are Manson, Chauncey Jerome, Mary and Charles Christian. Manson, the first born, died before he reached his second birthday. Chaun- cey, a prosperous farmer, lives on the old homestead. He married Henrietta (Messerly) Wildermuth. They have two sons — Bliss Tho- burn, an engineer on the Ohio Central Rail- road, and Wayne E., a successful student at the Ohio State University. Mary married William L. Whitecamp, who, with their mar- ried daughter, Mabel Lessler, and granddaugh- ter, Evelyn, reside in Newark, Ohio. Mr. Whitecamp is in the hardware business. Charles Christian Miller married Nellie Cor- nell Wilbur, of Honeoye, N. Y. Their home for the past sixteen years has been in Lima, Ohio. Their children are Leon Wilbur Miller, a student in his freshman year in Ohio Wesleyan University, Delaware, Ohio; Robert , Strawn Miller, a student in North High School, Columbus, Ohio, and Elizabeth Miller, a pupil in the Ninth Avenue School of the same city.
Enos S. Miller, the father, died August 15, 1899, at the age of eighty-one years, four months and twenty-four days. The mother died September 7, 1900, at the age of eighty- three years, four months and twenty-five days. ' They sleep side by side in the beautiful Bethel Cemetery, of Bethel United Brethren Church, l6cated in Greenfield Township, Fairfield County, Ohio. The following tribute to Mr. Miller is from a life-long friend, Hon. E. F. Holland, judge of probate :
"I knew Enos S. Miller intimately from my boyhood days until his death. His counsel was always valuable, and I can never forget his advice and encouragement to me while a young teacher in his district. He served the people of the county for six years as Commis- sioner and faithfully and honestly performed his whole duty. He was a leader in his church and party and a useful citizen in his com- munity."
Court of Common Pleas Fairfield County Lancaster, O., March 25, 1912. Hon. C. C. Miller, Columbus, Ohio:
My Dear Sir: I take the privilege of an old friend to express to you my high regard of the life, services, and character of your father, Enos S. Miller.
I was intimately acquainted with him from 1865 to the day of his death. During this time he served six years as County Commissioner of Fairfield County, and was active and promi- nent in the social, political, and business af- fairs pertaining to the advancement of the best interests of his community, and county.
He was always held in the highest esteem by the entire community for his christian char- acter, devotion to and strictly honest perform- ance of all his duties, public and private, and his kind and affable disposition. He was spe- cially admired and respected by the young men, for his kind and considerate treatment, many of whom owe their success in life to his chris- tian example, timely encouragement, advice, and assistance.
Very Respectfully,
J. G. Reeves, Judge of Common Pleas.
This sketch of the father would in no way be satisfying without a more definite and lov- ing reference to the mother, Elizabeth (Rade- baugh) Miller. She was a most beautiful and tender mother to all who knew her. She was self-sacrificing to a fault — kind and helpful in every walk of life. She lent a kindly, sooth- ing hand to the sick and encouragement to the strong. Her very presence was a benediction to the sorrowing or the dejected. Her chil- dren loved her as a true mother deserves to be loved, and they unite heart and soul in repeat- ing the beautiful tribute from the pen of Kate Douglas Wiggin — to my mother:
"Most of all the other beautiful things in life come by twos and threes, by dozens and hundreds! Plenty of roses, stars, sunsets, rainbows ; brothers and sisters, aunts and cou- sins; but only one mother in all the wide world!"
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