Johan Becker Miller (1820 - 1898)

Born 6 Apr 1820 in Wiarden, Duchy of Oldenburg, Prussia

Husband of Elizabeth Maria (Thummel) Miller — married 19 Sep 1852 in Palmyra Township, Lee County, Illinois

Descendants

Died 19 May 1898 at age 78 in Sterling, Whiteside County, Illinois

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Biography

Becker Miller was born 6 April 1820 and baptized at Wiarden, Duchy of Oldenburg, now Neidersachsen, Germany .^[1]

Although baptized Johan Becker Müller, he consistently used his middle name and adopted the English version of his surname--Miller.

His biographical sketch appeared in the Portrait & Biographical Record of Whiteside County, Illinois:

Becker Miller, a pioneer of Whiteside County, of 1837, is living in retirement n his farm on section 25, Jordan Township. He is a citizen of the United States by adoption, having been born in Oldenburg, Germany, April 6, 1820.

P. E. Miller, his father, was a native of Germany, and was the son of manufacturer of linseed oil, who was a native of Friesland, Hanover, Germany, where he died any years ago. He was the earliest ancestor known in the paternal line. The family is, and has been for several generations, remarkable for strong, stalwart men.

The father of Becker Miller was the youngest of a large family of children. He was gifted with a brilliant intellect and a strong proclivity for study, which he indulged through the succeeding years of his life. The peasants of the Duchy of Oldenburg were very poor; and in unproductive years, when the scarcity of food threatened famine, and they were reduced to suffering, it was their custom to make their distresses known to the Duke of Oldenburg by petition, and the senior Miller was selected not only to prepare the document, but also to present it to the dignitary who formed the head of the local government. The accomplishments and fine character of the messenger won the sincere friendship of the Duke. Mr. Miller, senior, married Theda Remmers, who was born in Oldenburg, and was a farmer's daughter. Her father was possessed of a fine estate, and was of a deeply religious character. He was made the victim of unscrupulous friends, and lost his wealth. His family have been noted for remarkable tenacity of life.

In 1837 the parents came with five children to the United States. Elizabeth, the eldest child, remained in Germany until 1866, when she came to America. Christina married John Abels, and died in the province where she was born. The children who accompanied the parents to this country were named Siebold, Emke D., Anthony F., Becker and Henry. With the exception of the oldest son, who as a miller by profession, the sons were all farmers. The family settled in Cass Co., Ill., in 1837, where he father died in September of the same year, aged 58 years. He was buried in that county, and in the next year the mother, with her five sons, came to Lee County, and settled in Palmyra Township. They bought a claim in 1838, which they secured from the Government when the land came into market in 1843, and had the proud privilege of knowing that they paid in full for the land they owned. They settled in Lee County, before the township had a name, and when Dixon had no existence, save as Dixon's Ferry, the name given to the little cluster of insignificant dwellings on the site of the now beautiful city.

Mr. Miller was married Sept. 19, 1852, in Palmyra township, to Elizabeth M. Thummel, the youngest child of the Rev. Christian B. and Elizabeth M. (Cox) Thummel. She had two brothers: William, he oldest, lives on a farm in Worth Co., Mo. Charles died when he was a babe. Mrs. Miller was born Dec. 5, 1835, in the city of Utica, N. Y. She was 10 days of age when her mother died. Her father was again married, May 17, 1837, in the State of New York, to Catherine Lattin, and the two motherless children were reared by their step-mother.

In 1846 the family came to Illinois, and settled in Palmyra Township, in Lee County. The father died there, May 24, 1881. He was 80 years of age and spent 50 years in active, efficient ministerial labor. He was a reliable man, and won universal confidence. For fifteen years before his death he was Treasurer of the Farmers' Life Insurance Company. His wife is still living, and is the mother of five children: Anson E., Charles, George, Warren and Catherine. The children of Becker Miller and his wife are recorded as follows: Emma C. married Henry Montillon, and lives in Cedar Rapids, Iowa; Adaline E. married Samuel Walck, and lives on the homestead; Ella M. married William Emory, and they are farmers in Boone Co., Iowa; George W. B. lives in Kansas; Frederick L. is a resident of Marshall Co., Iowa; and Jessie L. lives at home.

After the marriage of Mr. Miller he located on a farm in Palmyra Township, of which he became the owner, and which he sold in 1853. In the fall of the same year he removed to Jordan Township, and bought an improved farm on section 25, where he is now the owner of 260 acres of land, which he has redeemed from its original condition. He has given much attention to stock-growing. He is considered a skillful and progressive farmer. Mr. Miller is a Democrat. During the War of the Rebellion he served two years as Supervisor, and devoted his energies effectively to the prosecution of a draft in is township. He has held other responsible official positions. For many years he and his wife have been members of the Lutheran Church.^[2]

His biographical sketch in the History of Lee County reveals that, "He sold his interest in the farm in Palmyra Township to the latter [his brother, Henry Miller] in 1854 and removed just across the line of Lee County into Whitesides, where he has since resided, largely engaged in farming." (History of Lee County, Illinois, Chicago: H. H. Hill, 1881, p. 515.)

Becker Miller and his family appeared on each U. S. census of Whiteside County, Illinois, from 1850 through 1880. His farm, located in what was known as Goose Hollow in Jordan Township, Whiteside County, was two or three miles west of his brother's farm in section thirty-two, Palmyra Township, Lee County. The large two-story frame house was standing in 1981 but poorly maintained. It was about one quarter mile south of the road on a gradual south-facing slope near a small stream. Becker and Elizabeth later built a house on Park Place in Sterling where they retired. Becker spent his last four or five years in this house.

The following was written by Becker Miller on March 17, 1895. He apparently was in poor health at the time.

As Life is uncertain, I would say to my good wife, that if I should be called away everything I have in property or money is absolutely hers, having deeded all to her to be hers and she can do with it as she thinks best, she can sell the farm and buy other property. I should have bought some land if I would live to do so. Of course all my debts have to be paid first, then give everyone a gold watch, to those that have not got any. After the death of my wife whatever there is left, shall be divided equal amongst my children. I think it would be best for you my beloved wife to make your Will to that effect, let all my children have equal parts of whatever there is left, that is all I can do. I am indeed sorry that I have not sold said land and have everything in better condition. I have tried to do so, and have not succeeded, as I have rented the farm for pretty fair rental and to an honest man is the best I could do. I have prayed to the good Father every night to grant me time and opportunity to get my affairs in better shape before being called away, and do say Thy will be done on earth as well as in heaven, thanking the Allwise for all the goodness bestowed on me and my dear ones in all these many years, that I have been allowed to stay on this beautiful earth and hope and trust that all my children will always look up on high to the Father of all good and perfect Gifts."

Becker Miller suffered a stroke the summer of 1896 which left him partially paralyzed. He recovered well enough, according to his obituary, "to get around and make an occasional visit to his farm."

— IS SEVENTY-SEVEN YEARS OLD.

Becker Miller Entertains a Few Friends at His Home. Becker Miller, one of the old settlers n this vicinity, and a man having a host of friends, celebrated his seventy-seventh birthday Tuesday at his home in Park Place. In the evening a number of near relatives gathered at his home and spent a few hours with the venerable gentlemen. Mr. Miller has enjoyed exceptionally good health until within the last year, when he suffered a slight stroke of paralysis, from which he has never entirely recovered. He came to Illinois when very young and first settled in the central part of the State on the Sangamon river. Shortly after settling there, he heard of the fertility of the Rock river valley and, after a visit, decided it was the place to make a home. He soon after moved here and has been a resident ever since. (Sterling Standard, 8 April 1897, p. 6, col. 2)

Early March 1898, he was again stricken and left paralyzed. He was bedridden the last weeks of life.

— BECKER MILLER IS DEAD

He Passed Away of Paralysis at His Home This Morning

Becker Miller, a well known and highly respected citizen of Sterling, died this morning at 7 o'clock at his home in Park Place of paralysis. He suffered a stroke about a year ago, which left him in a feeble condition, and another about two months ago, since which time he has been confined to his bed.

The funeral will be held at St. John's Lutheran church Sunday afternoon at 2 o'clock, the Rev. E. Brown officiating. The Interment will take place at Prairieville cemetery.

Becker Miller was one of the pioneers of Whiteside county. He was born at Oldenburg, Germany, April 6,1820. In 1837 he came with his parents to the United States and settled in Cass county, Ill. His father died that year. The next year he came to Lee county with his mother and family, settling in Palmyra. This was before the township had a name, and at the time when Dixon was known as Dixon's ferry.

Mr. Miller was married Sept. 9, 1852, to Elizabeth M. Thummel, who now survives him and sincerely mourns his loss. Besides his wife Mr. Miller leaves six children as follows: Mrs. Henry Montillon of Cedar Rapids, Ia., Mrs. Samuel Walk, of Sterling; Mrs. William Emory, of Perry, Ia.; George Miller, of Lawrence, Colo.; Fred Miller, of Gap Grove; Mrs. Abner Watson, of this city. The latter has lived at the home of her parents since her marriage to Mr. Watson.

Mr. and Mrs. Miller came to Sterling from their farm in Jordan about five years ago, taking up their residence on Fifth avenue. In a short time they built a house in Park Place, where they have resided ever since. He had moved to Jordan from Palmyra in the fall of 1853.

The deceased was a skillful and progressive farmer, a thoroughly good man and an excellent neighbor and friend. He was a loving and thoughtful husband, a kind father and his death is most sincerely mourned.

During the. war of the rebellion he served two years as Supervisor and devoted his energies effectively to the prosecution of a draft in his township. He also held a number of other important public positions. He was a consistent member of the Lutheran church for many years, and he will be sadly missed in that organization. The grief stricken family has the deepest sympathy of a large circle of friends, which extends throughout Whiteside county. (The Sterling Standard, May 19, 1898, p. 8, col. 3)

Sources

1. ↑ *Portrait & Biographical Record of Whiteside County, Illinois, Chapman Bros., 1885, pp. 760-61, and his baptism record from Wiarden church, provided by a researcher hired by Lorraine Hall Keith
2. ↑ Portrait & Biographical Record of Whiteside County, Illinois, Chapman Bros., 1885, pp. 760-61.

• The Sterling Standard, May 19, 1898, p. 8, col. 3, Becker Miller's obituary