From "A History of Baker, Grant, Malheur and Harney Counties"
Provided by The Grant County Museum
JOHN L. MILLER -It is gratifying to note that in the subject of this sketch we have displayed the
praiseworthy qualities of stability and endurance coupled with energy and wisdom that have enabled their possessor
to meet, with the calmness that is born of assurance of final success, the greatest obstacles, and in spite of
difficulty overcome in a measure that is most praiseworthy, winning every inch of the ground of success by dint of
exertion perseverance and determination that would have done credit to a cause of more extended notice and men of
great public mention.
The birth of Mr. Miller was in Lane county in 1856 and his parents were David and Maggie (Douglass) Miller the former
a native of Illinois and the latter of Iowa. His father crossed the plains in an early day being in the first train of
settlers, and he made his way from The Dalles to the Willamette valley on a raft. He first settled on French Prairie, but
later moved to Lane county, and there he lived until death took him from the scenes of life's activities. His remains
lie buried at Creswell, in that county, while the mother sleeps at Gresham. John L. was only three years of age
when the death of his parents occurred and he then went to California, and there he remained until the spring of 1881.
At that date he came to Grant county, locating at Canyon City and engaging in the livery business. In addition to
this activity he took up stock raising and farming, giving, however, his personal attention to the livery.
At the time of the great fire in that town he lost everything, and was thus obliged to start again in the business
world. He moved to Izee and began dealing in general merchandise in a small way, gradually increasing his stock and
operating a wagon through the country until he secured sufficient funds to carry a large stock, and now he enjoys a
lucrative trade, having purchased the store at Izee postoffice recently. He has anticipated the wants of the people and been so
fairthful in supplying them that he has won for himself a large trade and the confidence of the entire community.
Mrs. Miller is the postmistress at Izee.
The marriage of Mr. Miller and Miss Lillie, daughter of William H. Chambers of Bates county, Missouri, was solemnized in
1895, and they have become the parents of two children, Eugene and Arthur Lyle. Mr. Miller is a member of the Masonic
fraternity in Canyon City, and also of the W. of W. in the same place, while his wife is a member of the Eastern Star.
©1998 Roxann Gess Smith
All Rights Reserved
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