I'm using a profile I made that is not a relative of mine, but a mystery I'm working on: simply someone I've been curious about since I was a child. When I was about 10, I discovered an old grave, here in Albion, Mendocino county, California, out in the "pygmy forest" (a stunted forest that grows in some places near where I live). It had been through a fire (in the 1800's and into the early 1900's, settlers used to burn off the pygmy forest from time to time).
The headstone was still readable, saying: William D. Miller, Born in Maine, Died Aug. 14. 1890, Aged 59 years.
I found the grave in about 1970. I asked the old-timers I know about it, and have done so over the years. People know it's there, but no one really knew who he was or why he was buried there. I was told one story that he had syphilis, and they didn't want to bury him in the graveyard. I doubt that it was true.
I have consulted with the local historical society and genealogists. We found a short blurb in the local newspaper, saying that he died at the home of W. M. Wright on Albion Ridge Rd., and to copy to Humboldt papers. When I looked for record of him in Humboldt county (to the north), I found someone by that name in the great registry, that came from Maine in the 1870's. There were two other people with the same last name who registered to vote the same day, also from Maine. I'm surmising they may be brothers.
I have not yet solved the mystery, but have some clues, and bits and pieces of his life. He was a rancher in Humboldt county. Why he was in Albion, I don't know. If the two other people who may be his brothers, were, one of them moved to Ukiah, the Mendocino county seat. But that's about 60 miles away. Puzzles...
If anyone knows of any Millers in Maine, who have long-lost relatives who went west, let me know!
