Copyright USGenNet Inc., 2013,
                           All Rights Reserved
                          U.S. Data Repository

    Please read U.S. Data Repository Copyright Statement on this page:
                <http://www.us-data.org/fineprint.html>

Transcribed and submitted by Linda Talbott
for the US Data Repository http://www.us-data.org/
=========================================================================
U.S. Data Repository NOTICE: These electronic pages may NOT be reproduced
in any format for profit or presentation by any other organization.
Non-commercial organizations desiring to use this material must obtain
the consent of the transcriber prior to use.
Individuals desiring to use this material in their own research may do so.
=========================================================================
Formatted by U.S. Data Repository Chief Archivist, Linda Talbott
All of the above information must remain when copied or downloaded.
===========================================================================
Biographical History of Cherokee County, Iowa
W. S. Dunbar & Co., Chigago - 1889

[page 461-462]

    GEORGE MARCUS MILLER is the manager for J. P. DICKEY & Co., and
    also fot the Iowa Railroad Land and Town Lot Company, Aurelia.
    He was born March 12, 1843, in the beautiful valley of the
    Shenandoah, at the village of Edenburgh, Virginia, and is the
    oldest of his father's family of six children by his third wife.
    His father was RICHARD MILLER, who was born in Frederick County,
    Virginia, of Scotch-English ancestry.  He was a merchant the most
    of his life, and like hundreds of others lost largely in the late
    war.  He had married three times, his last wife, the mother of our
    subject, being ARTEMISIA GRANDSTAFF.  Her original family name was
    HEPNER; during colonial times one of them was captured by Indians
    and was held in captivity by the old chief, GRANDSTAFF, and when
    released he chose that name as his own.  GEORGE GRANDSTAFF, the
    grandfather of Mr. MILLER, was a Major in the War of 1812.  Mr.
    MILLER received a limited education, and grew up devoting his time
    to duties in his father's store.  When war's first harsh call to
    arms was echoing up the valley, he enlisted in Company C, Tenth
    Virginia Infantry, under Colonel GIBBONS, April 17, 1861. He re-
    ceived a scalp wound at the battle of McDowell, May 8, 1862, after
    which he was transferred to Captain GRANDSTAFF'S company, in the
    famous General ROSSER Brigade.  He was twice captured, the first
    time at Brandy Station, June 9, 1863; he was confined at the Old
    Capitol prison at Washington; in six weeks was paroled, and in one
    month exchanged.  He was again captured April 5, 1865, and was held
    for a time at the Maryland penitentiary, and was afterward trans-
    ferred to Fort McHenry; he was in solitary confinement nine days,
    and was discharged June 13, 1865, after taking the oath of alle-
    giance.  During his first captivity he and his guard became much
    attached to each other; having received many favors at the hands
    of his guard, he promised on parting to aid him if opportunity
    ever offered.  One day while standing on the street of his native
    town a squad of soldiers who were prisoners passed, footsore and
    weary. Mr. MILLER discovered among them his former prison guard,
    and was then and there able to render him a return of the kindness
    he had shown him in his captivity.  After peace was declared, his
    fortunes at the lowest ebb, he began working at the painter's trade,
    and followed that vocation until 1881, when he came to Iowa.  He
    opened the yard for the J. P. DICKEY Lumber Company, and soon be-
    came the representative of the Iowa Railroad Land and Town Lot
    Company.  He is now serving his third term as mayor of Aurelia,
    and was at one time the village recorder.  Mr. MILLER was married
    June 16, 1869, at Edenburgh, to Miss FANNIE C. VINCENT, a native
    of Clarke County, Virginia, and a daughter of JOSEPH and ELIZA
    VINCENT.  They have had seven children born to them, four living
    at present: EDITH M., WILLIAM V., LIZZIE and MARTHA.  Mr. Miller
    is a member of the Congregational Church.  He belongs to the Mas-
    onic Order, to the Legion of Honor, and to the Modern Woodsmen.
    In 1888 he erected a commodious residence at a cost of about $3,000,
    and has one of the most delightful homes in the village.  The eldest
    daughter has always made her home with her grandmother in Virginia.

===========================================================================