Copyright USGenNet Inc., 2013, All Rights Reserved U.S. Data Repository Please read U.S. Data Repository Copyright Statement on this page: 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 460-461] WILLIAM POLK MILLER was born at Edenburgh, Shenandoah County, Virginia, November 27, 1844. His father was RICHARD MILLER, a native of Virginia, whose ancestors came from England. His mother was ARTEMISIA GRANDSTAFF, whose family were prominent in the his- tory of Pennsylvania. RICHARD MILLER died in 1871, and his wife is still living at the old Virginia home. She was Mr. MILLER'S third wife, and bore him six children, four of whom are residing in Iowa. In April, 1862, POLK, as he is familiarly known, joined RICE'S Battery, and was attached to StONEWALL JACKSON'S command, and was with him until he was killed May 2, 1863. He was after- ward under A. P. HILL'S command, the battery being known as WOOD- ING'S. He served three years, surrendering at Appomattox, April 9, 1865. He received a shell wound in his left leg when the command was trying to get in MEADE'S rear at Catlett's Station. He missed but one engagement in which his command took part, that at Gettys- burg, being ill at the time. After the return of peace he remained in Virginia until 1867, when he came West and for four and a half years was farming in Clarke County, Missouri. In 1871 he returned to Virginia, but after two years spent among the scenes of his boy- hood he again went West, and remained for a few months with his half- brother, B. F. MILLER, who was then engaged in banking and shipping grain in Webster City, Iowa. The following spring he went to Aurelia, bought an elevator, and embarked in the grain and lumber business, in which he continued until 1881. In 1882 he removed to Alta , and did a general lumber business until 1885, when he went to Webster City and became interested with his brother, B. F., in the Farmers' National Bank, being one of the incorporators and vice presidents; he was elected cashier, a position which he held until September, 1887, when he resigned and went South, passing the winter in Florida. The next spring he returned to Aurelia, finding it a pleasant place to live he erected a handsome residence at a cost of $3,000; it stands upon a slight eminence, is well planned, tastefully finished, and affords a most attractive home for Mr. and Mrs. MILLER. Mr. MILLER is engaged in no active business at the present time, but retains his financial interest in the First National Bank at Eagle Grove, Iowa, of which his nephew, H. A. MILLER, is president. Mr. MILLER was united in marriage at New Carlisle, Indiana, September 22, 1875, to Mrs. ELIZABETH DENIO, widow of C. C. DENIO. She was born in St. Joseph County, Indiana, August 26, 1843, and is a daughter of A. A. and MARIETTA (HUBBARD) WHITLOCK, natives of the State of New York, and early settlers in Indiana. Mrs. MILLER had two children by her former marriage: VIRGINIA, wife of W. H. REYNOLDS, and ARTHUR DENIO, who is engaged in the lumber business in Anselmos, Nebraska. He finds great enjoyment in his domestic surroundings. He was made a Mason at Cherokee, and is a member of Speculative Lodge, No. 307, A.F. & A.M., and Burning Bush Chapter, No. 90, R.A.M., and Crusade Commandery, No. 39, K.T. ===========================================================================