Michael William Miller, 12th West Virginia Infantry, Civil War

MICHAEL WILLIAM MILLER, Company "C"

OBITUARY

Death Takes M. W. Miller, 92, At Home, Civil War Veteran and Former Legislator is Stricken Today - In failing health for the past two years and bedfast since last Labor Day when he fell at his home, Michael William Miller, 92, former member of the House of Delegates, Civil War veteran and retired farmer died at his home at 1408 Fourth street at 10:12 o'clock this morning. Infirmities incident to advanced age were given as the cause of death.

Until a few years ago Mr. Miller was engaged in farming on Fork Ridge. He was virtually a life resident of Marshall county.

Mr. Miller was born on Fork ridge, then Ohio county, Virginia, on July 24, 1842 [Note: Marshall County became a separate county in 1835], a son of Samuel and barbara Snow Miller. His parents moved to Belmont county, Ohio, when he was two years of age and resided there until he was 11 when they returned to Fork ridge.

He was married to Rebecca Stewart on August 4, 1862 in Greene County, Pa. Mrs. Miller preceded him in death eight years ago this month.

He enlisted in the Union army a few months after his marriage and served throughout the war with Company C Twelfth Regiment of West Virginia Infantry Volunteers. He was appointed a corporal of Company C on February 15, 1865, and was discharged at Richmond, Va. on June 16, 1865.

Upon his return from the war he engaged in farming on Fork ridge, moving to Moundsville seven years ago when he sold his farm.

He was a life long member of the Baptist church and at his death was the oldest member of the Fork Ridge Baptist church.

A life Republican, one of his last wishes was that he could live until next Tuesday to cast his ballot. His first one was for Abraham Lincoln.

His hobby was raising bees and for many years he was regarded as one of the best authorities on bees in this section of the country. His favorite sport was fox hunting in which he engaged with some of the older residents of the county. In his early days he also engaged in harness racing at the old Jacktown fairgrounds.

He was elected a member of the House of Delegates in the eighties and served with Hon. S. R. Hanen who was later speaker of the House.

He was a member of J. C. Caldwell post of Grand Army of the Republic.

Surviving are one daughter, Mrs. Edward T. Riggs and four sons, Melvin, Michael, Jr., William and Erastus Miller, all of Moundsville. One son, John S. Miller died in 1925.

The body was removed to the Lutes Mortuary on Second street and will be taken to the home of Melvin Miller at 1406 Fourth street this evening where funeral services probably will be held Monday. Burial will be in the Fork Ridge Baptist church cemetery.

- - (Provided by Joseph D. Parriott; typed by Linda Fluharty.)