Andrew Rohrer Miller (1849-1929)

Andrew Rohrer Miller and Mary Magdeline Yoder On their Wedding day, September 17, 1872

G3 Andrew Rohrer Miller, born 30 March, 1849 in Darke County, Ohio, died November 9, 1929 in Welsh, Louisiana. Married September 17, 1872 to Mary Magdeline Yoder, born July 7, 1849 in Darke County, Ohio, died January 29, 1928 in Welsh, Louisiana. Mary was the daughter of Joseph and Annie Klopenstine Yoder. Ten children.

Andrew Rohrer Miller family photographs & Bible pages:

• Andrew Miller Family Bible - Births
• Andrew Miller Family Bible - Deaths
• Andrew Rohrer Miller Family portrait, ca. 1897.
• Sons & Daughter of John Jacob Miller ca. 1897
• Children & spouses of John Jacob Miller & Nancy Rohrer ca. 1897
• Welsh Furniture Company/Miller Hardware and Furniture Company

Mable Maude Miller, born 29 November, 1890, Iowa, died 15 September, 1975, Louisiana. Married Lee Himler. She was a schoolteacher. No children.

This is written to my nephews and nieces, great nephews and great great nephews and nieces.

The month is February and the year 1972. It is a story of my father and mother, their people and decedents.

My father, Andrew Rohrer Miller (he was christened Andrew only, he himself added the name Rohrer.) All his brothers followed suit, Isaac R., Jacob R., Daniel R. and John R.

About 1745 one Philip Miller (my great great great grandfather came over from Germany to escape military training and settled in Maryland).

Philip had three sons, Daniel (decedents in Darke County, Ohio and Indiana), Abraham (moved to NY State and became lost to his family) and David Miller (my great great grandfather). He married Agabel Morgan [Magdalena Abigail Maugans] he moved from Maryland to Louisville, Kentucky in time of Daniel Boone but became he opposed slavery he crossed the Ohio River and into Ohio.

David's son Jacob (my great grandfather) was born near Louisville, Kentucky, in 1796 and died there in 1861, near of Gettysburg, Ohio. He is buried on his farm near Bradford (old Cemetery is still there.)

Jacob's son John Jacob, my grandfather, was born 1823 in Bradford, Ohio. He married Nancy Rohrer and their son Andrew Rohrer, (my father) was born in Webster, [County] Ohio, in 1849 and died in Welsh, Louisiana, November 9, 1929.

My mother's people, Mary Magdeline (Yoder) Miller. My maternal grandfather Joseph Yoder (pronounced Yodar), was born in France in the vicinity of Strausberg as Bellefort. In June 5, 1807, with his wife Anna Klopenstine (my maternal grandmother) embarked for America in 1833 and after a long 3 month journey landed in NY, moved to Darke County, in 1844 and died there in Bradford, Ohio.

My father Andrew Rohrer Miller born the eldest in his family in Bradford, Ohio, in 1849. [He] was a big man, six feet 1" or 2" height and weight close to 200 pounds (middle age of course). I never knew him as a young man for I was born in 1890, he was in his 40's when I was born.

He was reared on the Old Miller farm near Bradford, lived a farmer's boy's life and loved a farmer's life (all his life).

As a boy he was strong, full of energy and high-spirited. I learned some things of his mischievousness in listing to him and his brother Isaac talk and reminisce when mother, father and I visited Uncle Isaac and family in 1907. Uncle Isaac lived on the Old Miller home in Ohio.

My father's father (John Jacob Miller) was a strict disciplinarian and laid the switch and sometimes a buggy whip on his rambunctious sons.

I listened and watched father and Uncle Isaac roar with laughter reconstructing stories such as this: Their father (JJM) wore a tall silk hat on dress occasions. His sons one day "horsing around" bet that Andrew (my father) couldn't shot a hole through hat when it was thorough in the air. Isaac through the hat and Andrew shot a hole through it. The two of them, the culprits, hid out three days sleeping at night in the straw of the haymow, while their father walked around brandishing a buggy whip and in a loud voice. Their mother knew where they were (so did their father know as far as that goes) and carried their food three times a day. At the end of three days the boys emerged and their father who had discarded the whip by that time, seemed to have forgotten the incident, (he probably had decided that those two boys of his were not only quite clever.)

Then Uncle Isaac told the story: that their father served their own plates from big platters and they were required to eat everything on their plate. The boys did not relish fat on the meat but orders were obeyed. The dining table was a big one (I ate at that same table) and there were drawers on all four sides which was the storage place of the cutlery. ---- their father cleaned their plates, at off moments they put the fat meat in their drawer and their mother secretly removed it.

My father had little formal education. He attended a country school in which the teacher (a man) taught from the first grade on up. A favorite trick (for which he should have had a paddle laid on hard) was on those cold mornings disrupted almost the whole school morning by having stuffed the stovepipe with trash. The smoke when the schoolteacher lit the kindling in the stove. (Of course father worked the hardest and was most helpful in clearing the stovepipe of the trash.) (It seems my nephew Roger Frank Miller, inherited some of his grandfathers high spirits.)

At age 14 in 1863, (big man), father ran off to join the Army during the Civil War, but his father turned him in and brought him back home.

In 1872 father married my mother (Madelain (Magalie) Yoder) a 97-pound little French girl from French settlement near Versailles, Ohio. Mother was fair and was nicknamed "Tina". She told me that when a little girl of 9 years, the boys of the neighborhood danced with her. She was --- ---- and their pet and she also confided to me that her parents were not exactly pleased with Andy, whom they called that "big Dutchman" as the husband of their little Madelgin.

When I visited Uncle Isaac at the old Miller home in Ohio, in 1907, my cousins Earl and Henry, took me sleigh riding in the sleigh in which Papa courted Mama.

Papa and Mama lived on a farm in the neighborhood of Gettysburg. After a year of marriage they were moved to another farm when Mama, who was riding on a wagon loaded with household goods, realized that her first baby Anna, was about to arrive in this world. (Anna was named after Anne Betty, Mama's niece when after the death of her mother was reared by mother's family in the Yoder home.) Mama was rushed to the Yoder (her parents) home.

Mother said Anna was fair and a beautiful baby but mother caught cold, which settled in her breast and was unable to nurse Anna. Other milk did not agree with the baby and in spite of advice and help of all the doctors, the neighbors had, the baby Anna died at the age of six weeks. With in a couple of years Cora and John arrived.

Papa was a pioneer at heart and the gold rush of '49 was still news, ------ Oregon was then attracting settlers. There was nothing to do but to pick up Mama and the two children Cora and John and in train in 1877, for Oregon. Mama, pregnant at the time with Leona, told of the train trip. She traveled the plains in the puhlman which was nothing but a boxed off small room on wheels. The trip was hot and dusty and rough. There were rough cots in these rooms for the children and here Papa rode in the day car but on the many long stops Papa carried the children out to let them get some exercise. They left Ohio with a big basket of food, chicken and every item of cooked food that could possibly carried. At stops there were men, women and boys selling sandwiches, coffee and fruit.

Of course their train passed thru Ogden, Utah, the railroad center west joined east. Only in 1869, may 10, had the Union Pacific and the Central pacific met at Ogden, Utah and over this route 1877 Mama and Papa traveled from Ohio to California. The trip took approximately a week.

In time (sorry I didn't ask how long the journey lasted) they arrived in San Francisco. Their journey in ship north on the Pacific Ocean was a perilous and rough one. The seas were rough. The boat was small. Mama said she was so seasick that she had no fear of anyway.

Papa stood all night by the berth, keeping the children from rolling out of the upper berth. In time they reached Coos Bay, Oregon. There Leona was born and Papa a farmer found the soil poor and the crops unprofitable.

Again a move was made north to a settlement on the Kill (?) River. Here father was happy, often camping out on the Columbia River, fishing for Salmon. At that time Pearl was born. I'll pause here to tell of Pearl's birth. Mother said Papa at Pearl's birth was not home (mother petite as she was, must have been in splendid health and had much of her parent's pioneer spirit).

When Mother learned that Pearl was about to be born, she cleaned the whole house, baked bread, pies and custards, etc., made her bed fresh, sent the haired man after the mid-wife, bathed put on a fresh gown, got in bed but almost immediately raised up to reach Pearl in her hands before the mid-wife arrived. She said Pearl was tiny, fat, beautiful and cute.

In three days mother was up and around. However, she had a hired girl, one of the neighbors. Papa arrived, was very happy over having a new little daughter and he named her Pearl Pacific.

I asked Mother one night as was at remembering whether Father ever show unhappiness as expressed regret over the birth of three girls one after another when he, a farmer drastically needed boys. Mother said that he never did. Emile Grace ---- told me that Papa told her his girl babies were -----sweetest.

John came sweet and sweeter, so Ethel, you must have been sweetest.

Mother told another incident, almost a tragedy. John and a neighbor boy, a deaf mute, were playing on the banks of the Coquille River. John then about 9 years old, slipped in over his head. His companion ran to the house and by uttering queer noises and tugging at her skirt and let Mama know that something was wrong.

Papa and the hired man rushed to the river Coquille banks and rescued John, who was some feet from the banks of the stream holding on for dear life to a small overhanging limb of a tree.

Father did not prosper in farming when living in Norway, (Oregon). Mother said the soil was poor. He became interested in mining and staked a claim some distance from home following a route on the Rogue River out from Grant's Pass. He met a stranger who became his partner in the mining enterprise. The story goes that he and his mining friend started home, traveling by foot. In Grant's Pass Papa's sack of gold was valued at $900.00. One morning after a night's camp in the open, Papa woke to find his friend and his bag of gold gone. (Father a man of great integrity, trusted anyone who had given him no reason to distrust. (This of his, caused him to lose money a number of times to my knowledge.)

The Pacific fever invaded and over, the East and Central US states and Papa became interested and another move was made to Early, Iowa, in 1887.

In 1953 Leona and Alice and I stopped in Grant's Pass and spending three days in a motel on the Coquelle River. I walked down the banks of the river and picked dewberries for our dinners.

I also saw Salmon leaping up over stones in their attempt to go up stream. Papa and Mama often camped on the banks of the Coquelle where it flows into the Pacific Ocean.

Andrew Rohrer Miller & Mary Magdeline Yoder ca. 1922 on their Golden Anniversary

Seven children, Mrs. Chas Kennedy and Jno J. Miller of Welsh; Miss Cora J. Miller and Mrs. H. H. Eaton of Jennings; Mrs. L. E. Himler of Moreauville; Mrs. C. W. Cook of Alexandria and Miss Alice Miller of Hot Springs, Ark., are the man and women who by their integrity and by their participation in the worthwhile things from whose hearthstone they have gone forth. there are eight grandchildren also to do them honor: Frank, Edith, Kenneth and Eleanor Miller, A. R. and Mary Eaton, Mary Lee and A. W. Cook.

On Tuesday September 12th, a surprise homecoming of the children and grandchildren in celebration of this latest anniversary of Mr. and Mrs. Miller's marriage contributed greatly to the joy of the occasion. Among the gifts presented by their children was a purse of fifty dollars in gold, a fitting moment of the day, Congratulatory messages and wishes for many returns even to the diamond jubilee were sent by friends.

"This past is dear, its sweetness still          your memories treasure yet; The griefs you've borne, together          borne, you've borne, together Whatever now, the future brings,          heart unto heart still true, Share as you have shared all else          since the wedding ring was new."

O B I T U A R Y

ANDREW ROHRER MILLER.

Andrew Miller home in Welsh, Louisiana

Andrew Rohrer Miller, son of John Jacob and Nancy Rohrer Miller, was born in Darke County, Ohio, March 30, 1849 and died at the family residence (photo on right) in Welsh, La., Saturday evening, November 9, 1929, at 5:45 o'clock, age 80 years, 7 months and 11 days.

He resided in Ohio during his young manhood until the lure of the far west won him and he made his home in Oregon for ten years. For ten years he made his home in Iowa. Ever on the alert for better things, Mr. Miller came to Welsh in 1897 and cast his lot here permanently where he formed one of the best of this section's stalwart citizenry.

Always interested in the progress and betterment of the community, he gave liberally of his means for civic and religious welfare. It was in this connection that he became a friend to man, one in whom the people found those sterling qualities of manhood characterized by such virtues as honor, integrity, diligence, charity, magnanimity, tolerance, and dependability.

Andrew Rohrer Miller

On September 17, 1872 he married Miss Mary M. Yoder, who preceded him in death January 29, 1928. To this union were born ten children: Annie J and Edith B., who died in infancy and Andrew Roger, who died in early manhood. Surviving are a son, John J., and six daughters; Miss Cora J. Miller, Mrs. Leona Kennedy, of Welsh; Mrs. H. H. Eaton of Jennings; Miss Alice Miller of Los Angeles, Calif., Mrs. L. E. Himler of Baton Rouge and Mrs. C. W. Cook of Lafayette; also eight grandchildren" Frank, Edith, A. R. and Mary Eaton and Mary Lee and Andrew W. Cook.

The funeral services were conducted at the family residence Monday afternoon by his pastor, Rev. Everett Fray, of the Methodist Episcopal church and assisted by Rev. E. S. Brainard of the Presbyterian church.

The pall bearers were Frank and Kenneth Miller, H. H. Eaton , A. R. Eaton, L. E. Himler and C. W. Cook. Interment took place at Oaklawn cemetery in Welsh.

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O B I T U A R Y
MRS. A. R. Miller

Mary Magdeline (Yoder) Miller

Mrs. A. R. Miller (Mary M. Miller) daughter of Joseph and Annie Klopenstine Yoder, was born July 7, 1849 in Darke county, Ohio, and died Sunday morning, January 29, 1928 at her home in Welsh, Louisiana, at the age of 78 years, 7 months and 22 days, after a long illness, having been in ill health for the past two years or more, though only confined to her bed but a few days.

She was married to Andrew R. Miller September 7th, 1872 and moved from Ohio to Oregon, thence to Iowa and in January 1897, made their home in Louisiana, residing in Welsh since 1900.

To this union were born 10 children. Three preceded her in death; Annie J. and Edith B., who died in infancy and Andrew R., who died in young manhood in 1907. Surviving members of the family are the husband, A. R. Miller; son, John J. Miller of Welsh; daughters, Misses Cora J. and Alice B. Miller; Mrs. Leona Kennedy of Welsh; Mrs. Harry Eaton of Jennings; Mrs. Lee E. Himler of Baton Rouge, Mrs. C. W. Cook of Alexandria. There are eight grandchildren, Frank, Edith, Kenneth and Eleanor Miller, A. R. and Mary Eaton, Mary Lee and A. W Cook.

Mrs. Miller was a member of the Methodist church, though unable to attend was always interested in the work of the church and contributed to its support. She was always cheerful and a friend to all who knew her. She was a devout wife and loving mother.

Funeral services were conducted at the home Monday afternoon by her minister, Rev. Everett Fray, of the Methodist Episcopal church. The prayer was offered by Rev. E. S. Brainard of the Presbyterian church. The services were beautiful with words of comfort to the loved ones and friends. A large and beautiful floral offering was given by hosts of friends. Interment took place in the Oak Lawn cemetery beside her son, Andrew Rodger. Pall bearers were: John J Miller, Kenneth Miller, Harry Miller, Harry Eaton, Lee E. Himler, C. W. Cook and Lester Himler.

Children of Andrew Rohrer Miller and Mary Magdeline Yoder:

H1 Annie J. Miller
H2 Cora Jane Miller
H3 John Joseph Miller
H4 Leona May Miller
H5 Pearl Pacific Miller
H6 Alice Belle Miller
H7 Roger Andrew Miller
H8 Mabel Maud Miller
H9 Ethel Beatrice Miller
H10 Edith Bernice Miller