My Genealogy Hound

J. J. MILLER, of the mercantile firm of F. J. Schleper & Miller, of Du Quoin, was born in the city of Chicago, October 26, 1855. His father, Nicholas Miller, was born in Germany in 1821, and upon a farm was reared to manhood, while the common schools afforded him his educational privileges. He served for three years in the standing army of Germany, and in 1849, having determined to seek home and fortune in America, he sailed for the New World. Going to Ohio, he worked by the month as a farm hand for a time, and then went to Chicago, where he purchased eighty acres of land on the north side of the city, now comprised within the town of Lake View. For this he paid $4 per acre. There he engaged in gardening and in clearing the timber off his land. With ox-teams he hauled the wood to the city to sell. This tract of land, however, made him a wealthy man. The rapid growth of the city caused great advancement in real estate, and he sold forty acres at a high price. He still owns the remaining forty, which is worth a large sum. His foresight in selecting his property has led to his becoming one of the wealthiest citizens of Lake View. About 1851 he was united in marriage with Anna Gruenewold, who was also born in Germany, and when a young lady came to this country. They had a family of six sons and two daughters.

The members of the Miller family are, John H., now a gardener of Chicago; J. J., of this sketch; Nicholas, who is also engaged in business in Chicago; P. L., a grocery merchant of Chicago; Henry, who is engaged in gardening on his father’s place; Matthew, who is in partnership with his brother P. L.; Anna, wife of John Meyer, a dry-goods merchant of Chicago; and Kate, who married F. J. Schleper, and died November 8, 1882. The sons are all prosperous business men.

In the usual manner of farmer lads, our subject spent the days of his boyhood and youth. He acquired a good education, which was completed by three terms’ attendance at Bryant & Stratton’s Commercial College of his native city. He remained in Chicago until 1882, when he came to Du Quoin, where for one year he was employed as a clerk in a store. On the expiration of that period he embarked in his present business, which he has successfully conducted since that time. He received some aid from his father, but the success of his life is due mainly to his own efforts.

In 1883 Mr. Miller was united in marriage with Miss Kate Eisenhauser, daughter of a prosperous farmer of Perry County. Their union has been blessed with four children, two sons and two daughters, Katie, Joseph, Victor and Clara. The family is widely and favorably known in this community, and the parents hold an enviable position in social circles. In politics Mr. Miller is a Democrat, in religious belief is a Roman Catholic, and belongs to the Catholic Order of Knights of America. He possesses those qualifications which are essential to success, enterprise and industry, and by his fair and honest dealing and courteous treatment of his customers, he has won a liberal patronage.