Jacob Miller. Prominent among the agriculturists of Clayton County, and a gentleman who has been successful in the prosecution of his vocation, is he of whom we write. Mr. Miller is residing upon his well improved farm of two hundred and fifty acres on section 5, Farmersburg Township, where he is industriously engaged in his vocation.

Jacob Miller came to this country when he was but ten years old, and has here resided until the present time. He was born in Wurtemberg, Germany, September 22, 1847. His parents, Jacob and Mary (Sheifele) Miller, were both natives of the same place. The father served six years in the German army, entering in the year 1815, and was stationed in France. He was married in Germany and in the year 1855 came to America, locating in Muskingum County, Ohio, until the year 1857, when he settled in Giard Township, Clayton County, Iowa. He was a shoemaker by calling and followed that occupaton when he first came to this country; subsequently he located on his present farm and followed agricultural pursuits. At that time his farm was all prairie land, but with a strong heart and willing hands he undauntedly commenced the arduous task of improving it, and after a few years of toil he saw that his labor was not in vain. Both now sleep in the cemetery on section 3 in this township. There were seven children born to them, four of whom are living and of whom we make the following mention: John lives in Cherokee county, Iowa; Jacob is our subject; George resides on the Pacific Coast; Kate Schaller lives at Storm Lake, Iowa; Melchior was Corporal in the One Hundred and Twenty-second Ohio Infantry, and John served in the Twenty-seventh Iowa Infantry; both did gallant service in the late civil War and died for the cause they loved.

Soon after his arrival in this country, our subject was compelled to go to work and engaged with a farmer. In the winter and early spring of 1865 he drove a team for the Government at Washington, D.C., continuing at the same for some time. He then purchased from his father the old homestead, which he has improved wonderfully. In the year 1883 he erected a fine two-story and basement brick residence at a cost of $2,600, and a capacious barn 40X70 feet in dimensions which cost $1,600. Besides his regular agricultural pursuits he raises fine thoroughbred horses, cattle and Poland-China hogs.

Our subject was united in marriage in 1877 with Miss Elizabeth Helwig, a daughter of Conrad and Dora Helwig, both of whom are old settlers in Giard Township. She was born there February 17, 1857. Mr. and Mrs. Jacob Miller have seven children as follows: Emma, Clara, Grover, Nettie, Hulda, Ruth and an infant. The children are allowed the very best education and are regular attendants at school.

Mr. Miller is a member of the School Board and has been Assessor of Farmersburg Township for the past six years. In politics he is an earnest supporter of Democratic principles.

~source: Portrait andBiographical Record of Dubuque, Jones and Clayton Counties;Chicago: Chapman Pub. Co., 1894; pg. 383
-transcribed by Sharyl Ferrall