The Miller Family

The Lord Has Blessed Us All

George and Mary Ann Miller were the parents of eleven children born in Pennsylvania and Mahoning County, Ohio between 1801 and 1821. Nine of these children were sons and two were daughters. Of those eleven children only Isaac did not participate in some manner in the life of Dr. Keil’s colony and that is because he died in 1839.  A namesake of his, Isaac Hewitt, played a very poignant role that illustrates the sacrifices often made by people who commit themselves to an ideal. George, the patriarch, did not live to see the colony either but Mary Ann Miller lived a long life and went all of the way to Aurora with those of her children who also made that decision.

George Miller Dies

When father George died in 1828 the eldest son Samuel took over responsibility for the family.  Samuel, a veteran of the Ohio Militia, was a born leader and a man who Dr. Keil loved and respected throughout their long relationship.  From existing accounts, the feeling was mutual.  Samuel served as a Justice of the Peace at Bethel, Missouri.  He solemnized the wedding of Christian Giesy and Emma Wagner in 1852. When Dr. Keil left for Oregon in 1855 Samuel was given the leadership reins at Bethel.  After Samuel brought his family to Aurora in 1863 he helped keep the colony together by being one of the drafters of a written contract that explicitly stated rights and obligations of membership.  As late as 1874 Samuel was serving as one of the Colony’s most trusted elders.

Samuel’s Legacy

Several of Samuel’s children also played prominent roles.  Jacob went to Bethel in 1874 and was a calm voice as the settlement issues were debated.  Martha married Dr. Martin Giesy and Joseph married Gertrude of the Schuele family.  The Schuele’s in general had been bitterly disappointed by the Colony but that was not the story line as passed down by Gertrude who remembered the strength of Dr. Keil’s leadership, and the respect that the majority of the members gave to him.  Not all was pleasant, there were tragedies and sacrifices almost impossible for the modern person to fathom but, in the end, this Miller family which was such an important contributor to the life of the Colony, yet somehow escaped most of the attention, has been given in this new exhibit at least a portion of its due.  We hope that more of the gaps are filled in by descendants of this proud family.  One significant piece would be finding of a photograph of Samuel.  His signature is found often, his image is not.

Jacob Miller

Jacob Miller’s house built in Aurora in about 1889 still stands across the street from the museum.  Jacob, who never married, was the chief role model for his sisters son Louis Webert.  Louis became a leader in Aurora in the 20th century serving as Mayor and City Recorder.