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John William Miller
(1861-1904)

 

John William Miller was born in 1861 near Austen, Preston County, WV, the son of Hezekiah and Keziah Ellen (Fawcett) Miller

As a young man, John migrated to Athens, Athens County, OH, where he may have found employment as a miner in the region's booming coalfields. 

At the age of 24, in about 1886, John married 18-year-old Effie D. Hatfield (1867-1948),  the daughter of Henry and Elizabeth (Doud) Hatfield. Her birthplace has been given as both Columbus, Franklin County, Ohio and Marion County, WV. The marriage took place in Athens County, OH.

The Millers went on to have seven children -- Tye Howard Miller, Charles Edgar Miller, Junior E. "June" Miller, Agnes Heiman Riley, Annie G. Miller, Arthur "Ott" Miller and Catherine "Callie" Adams. 

Son Tye is known to have been born in Athens in 1886.

Circa 1895, Effie made her home in Athens County, though John's whereabouts that year are not known. They returned to West Virginia within a few years. In 1900, John and Effie lived in Preston County's Reno District with his children and widowed mother. His occupation was listed as a coal miner. 

 

~ A Grisly 'Christmas Eve Murder' ~

Tragedy struck the family at Christmas 1904. At that time, John had been living and working away from home at the Irona Mine in Preston County. The town was considered "a small mining village of about two hundred inhabitants," said the Preston County Journal

During the afternoon of Christmas Eve, John and five fellow miners, all Italian immigrants, "were all drinking," reported the Journal. As the evening arrived, they went to the Miller residence. An argument ensued, and John, "a powerful man physically," pushed four of the men out the door. The fifth man, still inside the dwelling, drew his resolver and shot at John, striking him in the base of the brain, killing him instantly. John's 10-year-old son, presumed to be Junior, watched with horror as the events unfolded. 

 

Tragic headline, Preston County Journal, Dec. 29, 1904

 

Book listing Camp Ground burials

The Italian group fled, but it was some time until neighbors were notified. Dr. Pratt arrived after some delay, and pronounced John dead at the scene. Oddly, the police were not informed, a concerned citizen in Kingwood tried without success to round up a search party, and Irona townspeople made no effort to identify or detain the alleged perpetrators. 

Lamented the Journal reporter, "The citizens seemed to have taken no account of the murder nor attempted to detain them there, which was the great mistake. Any citizen of that community could have detained them there until an officer could have been gotten." The newspaper article concluded saying John was about age 40, had been born "on a farm near Austen and was a son of the late Hezekiah Miller. He leaves a wife and seven children to mourn their loss." 

John was laid to rest in the Camp Ground Cemetery near Tunnelton, Preston County. No stone is known to mark the grave. John's name does not appear in a comprehensive list of burials in Janice Cale Sisler's book, In Remembrance: Tombstone Readings of Preston County, West Virginia, volume 1.

 

~ Effie's Second Marriage, to Charles Danks ~

Effie remained a widow for a few years. On May 4, 1908, when she was 38, she married 46-year-old Charles A. Danks (1862-1918), the son of Joseph A. and Mary (Parill) Danks of Kentucky (or Maryland). Rev. J.H. Hess of the Kingwood Methodist Episcopal Church oversaw the nuptials.

It was a second marriage for both, and he brought three known children to the marriage -- Sheridan Danks, Billie Danks and Oscar Danks. 

The Dankses also went on to have one daughter of their own, Jessie Danks.

When the federal census was taken in 1910, Effie and Charles made their home in the Lyon District of Preston County, where they labored as farmers. Living under their roof were children from all three of their combined marriages.

Effie was made a widow for the second time, after 11 years of marriage, when Charles died of a stroke. At age 56, his passing occurred on Aug. 12, 1918, in Newburg, Preston County. He was laid to rest in the Helen (or Helm) Cemetery, location not yet known. A search of Preston County newspapers, on microfilm today at West Virginia University, failed to locate an obituary.

The federal census of 1920 shows Effie living with 10-year-old daughter Jessie in Preston County's Lyon District. Effie was listed by the census-taker as age 50, but in reality she was 53. She had no occupation. 

 

~ A Third Marriage, to Samuel McGee ~

 

Preston County Journal, 1931

Effie married for a third time at age 56 when she wed farmer Samuel E. McGee (1850-1931) on Nov. 13, 1923. He was the son of Ephraim and Nancy (McGinnis) McGee of Ohio and stated his age as 69 on the marriage application. The ceremony was performed by Rev. O. Dale King of the Methodist Episcopal Church in Kingwood.

In 1930, the census shows 65-year-old Effie and 79-year-old Samuel living in Kingwood, on Bud's Creek Road. He naturally was marked as "retired." Their residence was in the Hopewell section of Kingwood.

Suffering from stomach cancer, Samuel died at home in Hopewell at the age of 80 on Feb. 27, 1931. After funeral services at the Bethlehem Church, he was laid to rest in the Bethlehem Cemetery in Preston County's Valley District. Reported the Preston County Journal, he "had been in failing health for several years, but only during the last six weeks had he been in a critical condition."

 

Preston County Journal, 1948

While sources do not show that he has a grave marker there, a "B. Frank McGee" and his wife "Mahala" rest there for eternity.

Effie died of a coronary embolism on Dec. 28, 1948, at the age of 89, at the home of her married daughter Callie Adams in Staten/Grantsville, Calhoun County. She had outlived her first husband by 44 years, and survived three husbands in all. Callie was the informant on her death certificate. Effie's tired remains were laid to rest in the Maplewood Cemetery in Kingwood, with Rev. R.B. Riffle, pastor of the Church of Christ of Morgantown, leading the services.

The Preston County Journal noted that Effie "was a resident of Preston county over sixty years." Among her survivors, the obituary listed her brothers William Hatfield and James Hatfield of Kingwood, and Mrs. Mary Smoot of Columbus, OH.

She is listed in the book of Preston County burials, In Remembrance, and appears to have been interred under the name "Effie Hatfield Miller Danks."

 

~ Son Tye Howard Miller ~

Son Tye Howard Miller (1887-1960) was born on July 15, 1887 in Athens, Athens County, OH. As a boy, he and his parents and siblings moved to Preston County, WV, the longtime home of his father's family.

Circa 1908, when he was age 21 and she 15, Tye entered into matrimony with Nelle Kathryn/Katherine Kelly (Feb. 4, 1893-1972), a native of Thomas, Tucker County, WV and the daughter of Edward and Ellen (Haskell) Kelly.

They produced a brood of a dozen children -- Harry Kenneth Miller, Mabel F. Spicer, Evelyn Naomi "Emaline" Felton, Ralph Edward Miller, Phyllis Margaret Youngblood, Adalaide Elizabeth Harman, Jacquelin Ruth Hare, Nell Katherine "Nellie" McCreary, Enzia Louise Miller, Doris Anne Caniford, James Howard Miller and John Allen Miller.

 

Baltimore & Ohio Railroad's Tray Run Viaduct, Rowlesburg

Library of Congress

 

 

Preston County Journal, 1960

Tye was a longtime engineer for the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad, making his home in Rowlesburg, Preston County for 51 years. Circa 1949, at the time of death of his mother, he was mentioned in the newspaper obituary. Said the Preston County Journal, he was a member of the Methodist Church of Rowlesburg, the lodge of Masons at Rowlesburg and the Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers and Firemen.

Nelle belonged to the Ladies Friendly Bible Class of their church, the Order of Eastern Star, the River City Temple of Pythian Sisters and the Veterans of Foreign Wars post auxiliary.

The family grieved on June 20, 1926 when daughter Enzia Louise, age 15 months, died from an incurable case of bronchial pneumonia. The child's tender remains were lowered under the sod of Riverview Cemetery in Rowlesburg.

Tragedy behind comprehension rocked the Millers in February 1957, when their daughter Phyllis and her husband Edward Lewis Youngblood were killed in an automobile accident southeast of Cumberland, MD. Tye and Nelle made the decision to bring their three orphaned teenage grandchildren into their home, where they remained to finish their respective high school educations.

In ill health for about a year, said the Journal, Tye passed away at the age of 73 on June 27, 1960 at Preston Memorial Hospital. His remains were laid to rest in the Camp Ground Cemetery in Tunnelton. At his passing, noted the Journal, he was survived by 22 grandchildren and four great-grandchildren.

Nellie survived her spouse by a dozen years. As her health failed, she was admitted to Broaddus Hospital in Philippi, Barbour County. Death swept her away into eternity at the age of 79 on June 29, 1972. Rev. John A. Barnes preached the funeral sermon. An obituary was carried in the Preston County News and Cumberland (MD) News.

Son Harry Kenneth Miller (1909-1986) was born on May 14, 1909. He married Laura Elizabeth Lyon (Feb. 6, 1910-2006), a native of Rowlesburg and the daughter of George A. and Hazel C. (Ayersman) Lyon. The pair lived for decades in Laura's hometown of Rowlesburg. She was employed for years as a local school teacher. Harry succumbed to the angel of death at the age of 76 on Feb. 17, 1986. Burial of the remains was in Aurora Cemetery in Preston County. Laura survived him by two decades. At the age of 96, she passed away in Rowlesburg on Feb. 17, 2006. Her obituary is believed to have been published in the Morgantown Dominion Post.

Daughter Mabel F. Miller (1912- ? ) was born in 1912. She may have been married twice, first to (?) Tassan. In time she wed again to James Spicer ( ? - ? ). They lived in Columbus, Franklin County, OH, and were there circa 1960. By 1972, they had moved to nearby Hilliard, Franklin County. She was deceased by 1994.

 

Wheeling, WV, home of the Feltons

Daughter Evelyn Naomi Miller (1913-1996) was born on June 4, 1913 in Rowlesburg, Preston County, WV. On Oct. 29, 1935, when she was age 22, and he 21, she was united in the bonds of holy matrimony with Charles Bartley Felton (1914-2008). Charles was a native of Kanawha County, WV, but a resident of Terra Alta, Preston County at the time of marriage. The nuptials were performed by Rev. Arthur Lazenby at the Methodist Episcopal Church in Rowlesburg. The Feltons later were residents of Shinnston, Harrison County and Wheeling, Ohio County, WV. At one point in time Charles served in the U.S. Army and held the rank of private. Evelyn spent her final years in Kingwood. She passed away at the age of 83 on Oct. 9, 1996. Her remains were lowered into the sacred soil of Sunset Memorial Gardens in Kingwood. Charles endured as a widower for another dozen years. He died on March 10, 2008, at the age of 93.

Son Ralph Edward Miller (1915-1981) was born on May 2, 1915 in Rowlesburg, Preston County. On March 6, 1941, in nuptials held in Cumberland, MD, he married Helen Maxine Wotring (1916-1995), daughter of Emerson Carl and Oda (Myeres) Wotring. Rev. Alfred L. Crager, of St. Mark's Reformed Church, led the ceremony. Together, they bore a family of two -- Ralph Edward Miller II and Christian Lee Miller. They made their home in Cumberland, Allegany County, MD, where Ralph was employed by the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad. Sadly, he passed away in Cumberland at the age of 66 on Dec. 8, 1981. The remains were brought back to his native Preston County to sleep for all time in Aurora Cemetery. Helen remained in Cumberland for the balance of her years. Death carried her away at the age of 78 on Jan. 31, 1995.

  • Grandson Ralph Edward Miller II ( ? - ? )
  • Granddaughter Christian Lee Miller (1942- ? ) was born in January 1942 in the home of her grandparents Wotring in Rowlesburg. At her ninth birthday, her mother held a birthday party, mentioned in the gossip columns of the Cumberland (MD) Sunday Times.

Daughter Phyllis Margaret Miller (1917-1957) was born on July 22, 1917 in Preston County, WV. She was joined in wedlock with Edward Lewis Youngblood (1915-1957), son of Edward Clarence and Mary Jane (Northcraft) Youngblood and stepson of (?) Hartsock of Paw Paw, Morgan County, WV. Three offspring born into this marriage were Michael Youngblood, Cozann Youngblood and James Youngblood. The couple first lived in Paw Paw and then moved to Wheeling, Ohio County, WV. There, Edward labored as a carpenter in the construction of a school and a hospital, and Phyllis found employment with Singer Sewing Machine Company. Their children and extended family were blanketed in unspeakable grief on the fateful day of Feb. 10, 1957 when Phyllis and Edward were killed together in an automobile accident. The pair were riding together on Oldtown Road, 10 miles southeast of Cumberland, MD, when "the driver of the car apparently lost control and struck a concrete abutment over a small bridge," reported the Cumberland Evening Times. "The crash was head-on and dead-center..." Further reporting in the Evening Times said that they had returned to Paw Paw to retrieve some tools and visit family, and that a power saw and carpenter's tools were found inside the chassis. Their remains were laid to rest in Paw Paw's Camp Hill Cemetery. Soonafter, the orphaned children were taken into the home of Phyllis' parents in Rowlesburg with the goal of completing their respective high school school educations.

  • Grandson Michael Lewis "Mike" Youngblood (1940-2002) was born on Sept. 16, 1940 in Cumberland, Allegany County, MD. He was 17 years old when his parents lost their lives. He is known to have enrolled at Marshall College in Huntingdon, WV and to have been there circa 1961. Michael died in Charleston, Kanawha County, WV on Oct. 30, 2002, at the age of 62.
  • Granddaughter Cozann Youngblood (1942-2015) was born on March 15, 1942. She was 15 years of age when her parents were killed and when she was brought into the home of her mother's parents in Rowlesburg. She achieved National Honor Society recognition in high school. Cozann made her home for years in Charleston, Kanawha County, WV. She entered into marriage with James Kenneth Sikes ( ? - ? ). Together, they bore two daughters -- Erin Sikes-Bruce and Jamie Sikes. In her final years, Cozann was stricken with cancer, and her deceased older brother often appeared in her dreams. At the age of 72 years and 11 months, she died on the day of Mardi Gras, Feb. 17, 2015. An obituary in the Charleston Gazette Mail eulogized that "Those who loved her well are finding comfort that the Lord called her home on this day so she would rise up to see the joie de vivre festivities occurring, knowing they were all for her; a coast-to-coast celebration of her life... While she was fatigued by cancer, she was never felled by it, believing she would survive it even in her final hours. She is the epitome of living life in the moment; a gift called the present. In her honor, if anyone reading this is ever passing by a Cinnabon shop, please stop and indulge in a Pecan Caramel Cinnabon."

Great-granddaughter Erin Sikes ( ? -living) married (?) Bruce. She became a paralegal and a published author. Erin is a mother and a grandmother. She graciously has shared content for this biography.

Great-granddaughter Jamie Sikes ( ? - ? ) has been a registered nurse.

  • Grandson James Edward Youngblood (1944- ? ) was born on Oct. 18, 1944 in Paw Paw, Morgan County, WV. He was age 12 and living in Wheeling, WV at the tragic deaths of his parents. He then was brought into the home of his mother's parents in Rowlesburg. By the age of 21, he had moved to Fairmont, Marion County, WV. On Aug. 19, 1966, at the age of 21, he was united in the bonds of wedlock with 22-year-old Betty Lucille Davis (Nov. 15, 1943- ? ), daughter of Walter J. and Lucille M. (Goodwin) Davis of Clarksburg. Their nuptials were held in Clarksburg by Methodist pastor Rev. Robert B. Engle.

Son James Howard "Jim" Miller ( ? - ? ) entered into marriage with Sarah. He resided in 1960 in Columbus, Franklin County, OH and in 1994 in Canton, Stark County, OH. By 2001, they migrated to Ashburn, VA.

 

West Virginia University's Mountaineer Field and WVU basketball legend Jerry West, for whom Adalaide Harman and Doris Caniford would have rooted.

 

Daughter Adalaide Elizabeth Miller (1919-2002) was born on May 15, 1919 in Rowlesburg, Preston County. When she was 19 years of age, in 1938, she married Pierpont Morgan "Dutch" Harman ( ? - ? ). Their marriage survived an extraordinary 64 years. They resided for many years in Morgantown, Monongalia County, WV. The Harmons had four children -- Elizabeth "Libby" Harman, Thomas Morgan Harman, Edward Lee Harman and Catherine E. "Kitty" Harman. Adalaide belonged to the Order of Eastern Star and White Shrine and served as a mother advisor for the Rainbow Girls. As with her sister Doris, she rooted for the West Virginia University Mountaineers basketball and football teams over the years. The family held a membership in the Spruce Street United Methodist Church.The Harmans endured the untimely death of their daughter Kitty to leukemia in 1999. The couple's address in the early 2000s was on Madison Avenue in Morgantown. With her health in decline, Adalaide became a resident of Sundale Nursing Home. There, at the age of 83, she passed into the arms of the angels on Sept. 26, 2002. Interment of the remains was in Beverly Hills Memorial Park in Morgantown, with Rev. Roger Smith leading the funeral..

  • Granddaughter Elizabeth "Libby" Harman ( ? - ? ) wedded Charles "Chuck" Messerly. They planted themselves in Weirton, WV.
  • Grandson Thomas Morgan Harman ( ? - ? ) was joined in matrimony with Cynthia. The couple was in Morgantown in 2002.
  • Grandson Edward Lee Harman ( ? - ? ) was united in wedlock with Pat. They dwelled in Morgantown.
  • Granddaughter Catherine E. "Kitty" Harman (1944-1999) was born on Jan. 22, 1944. She married Michael J. McLaughlin ( ? - ? ), son of Catherine E. McLaughlin. They settled in Sewickley, Allegheny County, PA, near Pittsburgh. The couple's two children were Kelly Ann McLaughlin and Michael Patrick McLaughlin. Sadness cascaded over the family when Catherine is believed to have been diagnosed with leukemia and died at the age of 55 on Oct. 19, 1999. Her obituary was published in the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, and funeral services were conducted in the Presbyterian Church of Sewickley.

Great-granddaughter Kelly Ann McLaughlin resided in Sewickley, PA in 1999.

Great-grandson Michael Patrick McLaughlin was joined in the bonds of wedlock with Heather Graham. Circa 1999, they dwelled in Wells, ME. One known daughter in this family was Laura Catherine McLaughlin.

 

Snowy day in hilly Rowlesburg, WV. Library of Congress

 

Daughter Jacquelin Ruth "Jackie" Miller (1921-2007) was born on April 21, 1921. She wed Warren Gamaliel Hare (March 11, 1921-1995), named for Warren Gamaliel Harding, President of the United States at the time. He was a native of Magnolia, Morgan County, WV and the son of Robert Theodore and Grace May (Fawver) Hare. Their wedding was held on July 5, 1941, just a few months before our nation was plunged into World War II. With the nation now at war, he joined the U.S. Army and served with the rank of private. The Hares together produced three sons -- Warren Allen Hare, Robert Howard Hare and John William Hare. The Hares resided on Buffalo Street in Rowlesburg in the 1950s and '60s and in Keyser, Mineral County in 1972. They grieved at the death of 22-month-old son John -- from severe anemia, pneumonia and heart failure -- on Nov. 4, 1951. Sadly, Warren died on July 17, 1995, ending their union which had endured for a remarkable 54 years. Jacquelin outlived her spouse by a dozen years in Keyser and then back in Preston County. The shadow of death claimed her at the age of 85 on March 18, 2007. The couple sleep side by side in Aurora Cemetery.

  • Grandson Warren Allen Hare Sr. (1944-2018) was born on Feb. 8, 1944 in Kingwood, Preston County, WV. He married Shirley A. Lantz (Oct. 17, 1944-2010), a native of Baltimore, MD and the daughter of Harry Gordon and Ada Millicent (Weaver) Lantz. The couple's marriage lasted through the ups and downs of 46 years. The Hares were the parents of Warren Allen Hare II and Sherry Renee Hare. Warren was a 1962 graduate of Rowlesburg High School. He learned the trade of welding and went on to a long career as an ironworker and welder with Local 568 of the Iron Workers Union and Greer Industries. His spare time was spent fishing and deer huting. In the community, he was a member of the Rowlesburg Lions Club, Preston Country Club and Mud Splash Hunting Club. He also served as master of the Rowlesburg lodge of the Masons and belonged to the Osiris Shrine of Wheeling. The family held memberships in the Christ United Methodist Church. Sadly, Shirley passed into eternity in Kingwood on Feb. 25, 2010. Warren lived for eight-and-a-half years as a widower. He succumbed to the angel of death at the age of 74 on Nov. 25, 2018. Interment was in Mount Olivet Cemetery in Amboy, Preston County, with funeral services presided over by his pastor, Kevin Keplinger.

Great-grandson Warren Allen Hare II ( ? - ? ) has resided in Tunnelton, Preston County.

Great-granddaughter Sherry Renee Hare ( ? - ? )

  • Grandson Robert Howard Hare ( ? - ? ) wedded Roxanne. Circa 2018, they dwelled in Rowlesburg.

Daughter Nell Katherine "Nellie" Miller (1923-2004) was born on Aug. 31, 1923. She married Leon McCreary ( ? - ? ) in 1945. In 1960-1994, the McCradys made their home in Cottontown, Sumner County, TN. Nelle died on April 7, 2004.

Daughter Doris Anne Miller (1927-2001) was born on Nov. 21, 1927 in Rowlesburg, Preston County. She married World War II veteran Charles William Caniford Sr. (1923-2001) on Jan. 14, 1949, in Rowlesburg, when she was age 21, and he 25. A native of Manheim, WV, Charles was the son of Charles T. and Cleta (Heaton) Caniford. Their union endured the ups and downs of a remarkable 52 years. They went on to have three children -- Charlene Shelton, Charles William Caniford Jr. and Thomas Caniford. Charles was an alumnus of Fairmont State College and then obtained his master's degree at Ohio State University. He went on to a long career as an educator and coach. He also remained with the Army, holding the rank of lieutenant colonel. His first educational assignments were in Ohio, where he was principal in Strasburg, Tuscarawas County and Green High School in Green, Summit County. He was named assistant superintendent of schools in Jackson Township, OH and then promoted to superintendent at the time a new high school was built. While in North Canton, OH, he was a charter member of the William H. Hoover Lodge of the Masons. His last Ohio school superintendency was Federal Hocking in Stewart, Athens County. When the couple retired, they moved back to West Virginia. For a few years, Charles was principel of Rowlesburg High School before stepping away for good. The family lived in 1994 in Morgantown, Monongalia County, WV. Doris was a member of the Order of Eastern Star and belonged to the Rowlesburg Methodist Church. She also was a longtime fan of the West Virginia University Mountaineers football and basketball teams. As a patient at Ruby Memorial Hospital in Morgantown, Doris passed away at the age of 73 on April 15, 2001. Rev. Dr. Stacy L. Groscup presided over the funeral service, with interment of the remains in Pleasant Hill Cemetery. An obituary appeared in the Preston County Journal. Charles only lived as a widower for seven months. Death swept him away into eternity in Monongalia General Hospital at the age of 77 on Nov. 15, 2001. In an obituary, the family asked that any memorial donations be made to Fairmont State College Foundation's General Athletic Scholarship Fund.

  • Granddaughter Charlene Caniford ( ? - ? ) was united in matrimony with (?) Shelton. She is known to have lived in Morgantown and then to have been been in Pittsburgh in 2001.
  • Grandson Charles William Caniford Jr. (1950-2019) was born on April 2, 1950 in Morgantown, Monongalia County, WV. He married Teri Sogan ( ? - ? ), with their union enduring for 47 years. They were the parents of Charles William Caniford III and Tracy Westrom. The Canifords moved to Texas, making a residence in Haslet, Tarrant County. They were active supporters of the youth football teams of Clifton Athletic Booster Club and Trinity Trojey Football Booster Club. Sadly, at the age of 68, Charles died in Haslet on Jan. 11, 2019. A memorial service was held in St. Phillip Presbyterian Church in Hurst, TX.

Great-grandson Charles William Caniford III married Heather.

Great-granddaughter Tracy Caniford wedded Jon Westrom.

  • Grandson Thomas H. Caniford ( ? - ? ) was joined in wedlock with Emily. They resided in 2001 in North Canton, OH.

Son John Allen Miller (1933-1994) was born on Nov. 20, 1933 in Rowlesburg, Preston County. Upon graduation from Rowlesburg High School, during the Korean War, he joined the U.S. Navy. He married Joyce Ann Dick ( ? - ? ). Their union endured for 37 years until the separation of death. The couple's five daughters were Tammy Lynn Miller, Janette Miller, Brenda Jo Miller, Katherine Dawn Miller and LeDonna Miller. During his working career, John served as a deputy sheriff of Preston County. He also was employed by Gilbane Building Company and Mellon Stuart Construction Company -- both of which were major building contractors -- as a field superintendent. His final position, from which he retired, was as director of engineering for Preston Memorial Hospital. He held a membership in the carpenters' union/ironworkers and Preston County Building Commission. The family belonged to Christ United Methodist Church. Sadly, John died in Preston Memorial after a short illness on Oct. 22, 1994, at the age of 60. His obituary was published in the Preston County Journal. Funeral services were led by Rev. Ron Daugherty at Christ United Methodist Church. Burial was in Camp Chapel Cemetery, also known as Camp Ground Cemetery in Tunnelton.

  • Granddaughter Brenda Jo Miller ( ? - ? ) married Bruce Bennett. Their home in 1994 was in Kingwood.
  • Granddaughter Katherine Dawn Miller ( ? - ? ) resided in the j1990s in Kingwood.
  • Granddaughter LeDonna Miller ( ? - ? ) wedded Mark Hershman. The couple put down roots in Rowlesburg.

 

~ Son Charles John Edward Miller ~

Son Charles John Edward Miller (1890-1951) was born March 17, 1890. 

Charles married Iva Ethel "Ivy" Nestor (Nov. 5, 1891-1963) -- also known as "Ona E. Nestor" -- daughter of General McClellan and Martha Anna (Bolyard) Nestor.

They bore one known daughter, Nolla Burl Duvall.

 

Flemington, WV

 

 

West Virginia Penitentiary at Moundsville

Charles was a coal miner. Circa 1930-1949, the family made its residence in Flemington.

On the dark and tragic day of Jan. 22, 1949, Charles shot and killed his 35-year-old married daughter Nolla. As a 12-year-old grandson watched, Charles fired his gun twice at her through a window at the family home. A physician recorded that she had been "shot by her father Charles J. Edward Miller and died within a few hours."

Charles was found guilty of the crime of second degree murder. He was sentenced to a term of 18 years' imprisonment in the West Virginia Penitentiary in Moundsville, Marshall County. He served his time there for only two years until death.

Suffering from melanoma, he died in prison of a hemorrhage on March 29, 1951, at the age of 60. His remains were buried in the Toms Run Cemetery, also known as White Gate Cemetery, the prison burying ground in Moundsville..

Ivy outlived her spouse by a dozen years. Having been burdened with hardening of the arteries, Ivy suffered bleeding in the brain and passed away at the age of 71 in Fairmont on Sept. 4, 1963. Her remains were laid to rest in the Odd Fellows Cemetery in Flemington. Granddaughter Ethel Glaspell was the informant for the West Virginia death certificate.

Daughter Nolla Burl Miller (1914-1949) was born on March 7 or 8, 1914 in Arona, Preston County. She grew up in Flemington, a coal mining community in Taylor County, WV. At the age of 23, on Christmas Eve 1937, she wedded 25-year-old Middleton "Ervin" Duvall (Sept. 15, 1912-1994), son of Sylvanus L. and Clara (Linville) Duvall of Meadowbrook, Harrison County, WV. The ceremony was held in Philippi, Barbour County, WV by the hand of Rev. Durward Belmont Brown. The couple dwelled in Rosemont, Taylor County. At least two children in this family were Ervin M. Duvall Jr. and Ethel Yvonne Glaspell. When the federal census enumeration was made in 1940, Middleton Sr. made a living as a shop fireman in a local coal mine. The Duvalls were plunged into mourning when Nolla was shot and killed by her father on Jan. 22, 1949 when she was 35 years, 10 months and 15 days in age. The crime unfolded as he shot her twice through a window at her home Rosemont, as her 12-year-old son watched. Other details are not yet known. The sensational story made newspaper headlines throughout the state, with her first name occasionally mispelled as "Nora." Interment was in the local Odd Fellows Cemetery. The widowed Middleton made his home in the early 1950s in Meadowbrook, WV. He later married twice more. On Jan. 8, 1952, he entered into wedlock with widow Nora Virginia (Harris) Husk ( ? - ? ). Their nuptials took place in Bridgeport, performed by Rev. Henry O. Loving. Two offspring born to this union were James H. Duvall and Sandra Kay Duvall. In time Middleton was united in matrimony with Betty Jean (Coffman) Gall (Jan. 20, 1927-2015), the daughter of William Columbus and Verdie (Swiger) Coffman and former wife of Charles Edward Gall. She brought four into the union from her previous marriage -- Charles Edward Gall Jr., Roy Kenneth Gall, Randal K. Gall and Debora Jean Cool. Betty Jean is known to have lived in Rosemont, WV and belonged to the Middleville Baptist Church in Bridgeport. Middleton succumbed to death at the age of 81 on April 26, 1994. Her final years were spent in Jefferson Borough, Allegheny County, PA, with death sweeping her away in Southmont of Presbyterian SeniorCare at the age of 88 on Feb. 1, 2015. Her obituary was published in the Washington (PA) Observer Reporter, and burial was made in the Odd Fellows Cemetery in Flemington, also known as the Rosemont Cemetery.

  • Grandson Ervin M. Duvall Jr. (1937- ? ) was born in about 1937 in Rosemont, Taylor County, WV. The boy underwent a traumatic experience at the age of 12 when he saw his grandfather shoot and kill his mother, firing twice through a window at their home. He later was the star witness in Taylor County Court when he accused the grandfather of the crime. In adulthood he wedded Rebecca "Becky" ( ? - ? ). The couple's home in 2006 was in Cleveland, OH.
  • Granddaughter Ethel Yvonne Duvall (1939- ? ) was born on Jan. 29, 1939 in Rosemont, Taylor County, WV. After the murder of her mother, Ethel grew up in Central Station, WV. At the age of 17, on Oct. 8, 1956, she married 23-year-old Bobby Richard Glaspell (April 28, 1933-2006), son of Curtis Earl and Hazel Ollie (Swiger) Glaspell of West Union, Doddridge County, WV. Methodist pastor Rev. J.A. Earl officiated. On their marriage license, Ethel named her parents as "Ervin Duvall and Nora Duvall." Bobby served in both the U.S. Army and U.S. Air Force. Together the couple produced three -- Bobby Richard Glaspell Jr., Kathy Corley and Roger L. Glaspell. They made their residence in Spelter on the outskirts of Clarksburg. Sadly, they endured the death of their son Bobby Jr. at the age of 11 on April 23, 1971. Bobby Sr. was trained as an electrician, with a focus on both residential and commercial facilities. For 15 years, he was employed by Pittsburgh Plate Glass, a forerunner to today's PPG Industries, likely at its Clarksburg factory. In his free time, he liked to fish, garden and hunt. Their address in the early 2000s was on B Street. Sadly, Bobby Sr. died at home at the age of 72 on Jan. 20, 2006. Burial was in Shinnston Masonic Cemetery.

Great-granddaughter Kathy Glaspell wedded William Corley. They were in Doddridge County in 2006.

Great-grandson Roger L. Glaspell ( ? - ? ) was joined in marital union with Rhonda. Their home has been in Shinnston, WV.

 

~ Daughter Agnes (Miller) Heiman Riley ~

Daughter Agnes Miller (1892-1980) was born on July 10, 1892. She was married twice, and had nine children, born over the span of nearly a quarter of a century, between 1909 and 1935.

At the age of 16, in January 1909, prior to marriage, she gave birth to a daughter, Mildred Miller. 

Agnes later married her first husband, August Aloysius "Guss" Heiman (Feb. 21, 1881-1918), also spelled "Hindman." He was the son of German immigrants August and Mary (Housecamp) Heiman of Preston County. He was of medium height and build and had grey eyes and red hair.

Guss earned a living as a coal miner in 1918, employed by the Drake Hill Coal Company of Kingwood.

They resided in Tunnelton near Kingwood, Preston County, and together bore three children -- Mary Heiman, Leona Heiman and Bernard Lincoln Heiman. 

Sadly, during the deadly influenza epidemic that swept through our nation during World War I, Guss became a victim, and when added to a case of pneumonia, he died at the age of 37 on Oct. 16, 1918. His remains were laid to eternal rest in the St. Joseph Catholic Cemetery in Lowesville. No stone is known to mark his grave today.

After several years as a widow, Agnes circa 1921 married again to John Thomas Riley Sr. (1881-1961), the son of Ray and Jane (Keller) Thomas and a native of Mount Pleasant, Westmoreland County, PA.

They had five more children -- Daniel Edward Riley Sr., Hugh Charles Riley, John Thomas Riley Jr., Caroline Agnes "Carol" Hammond and Martha Lee Riley. 

In 1949 and 1960, when Agnes' mother and brother Tye died, respectively, the family made its home in Washington, Washington County, PA. Circa 1961, they lived at 446 Main Street in Mount Pleasant.

Suffering from heart disease, John was felled by a cerebral hemorrhage and treated in Frick Memorial Hospital in Mount Pleasant. There, he died at the age of 48 on Sept. 25, 1961. Martha Rosella of 70 Seminole Street, Washington signed the official Pennsylvania certificate of death. Interment of the remains was in St. Joseph Cemetery in Mount Pleasant.

Agnes maintained her home as a widow in Washington. Her address in the early 1940s was 358 West Chestnut Street and in 1950 was 161 Jefferson AVenue. She is believed to have died in June 1980.

 

Clarksburg, as seen from Palatine Nob

 

Daughter Mildred Louise Miller (1909-1999) was born on Jan. 24, 1909 in West Virginia. She obtained a delayed birth certificate in 1944, during World War II, and gave her maiden name as "Heiman" which she apparently had been using. She was united in holy matrimony with William Downey Anderson (1906- ? ), also a native of West Virginia. Two children born to this union were Francis W. Anderson and Marion "Richard" Anderson. The family address in the 1940s and early '50s was at 109 Broadway in Clarksburg. Mildred may have married a second time to (?) Bebout ( ? - ? ). She reputedly died in Clarksburg, Harrison County on July 2, 1999. William's fate is not yet known.

  • Grandson Francis William Anderson (1928-2015) was born on June 6, 1928 in Hundred, Wetzel County. On June 15, 1946, when both were age 18, Francis was joined in wedlock with Freda "Evelyn" Fortney (Jan. 13, 1928- ? ), the daughter of Tracy J. and Eva (Lawrence) Fortney and a native of Hundred, Wetzel County, WV. The wedding was held in Harrison County, WV, by the hand of Church of Christ pastor Rev. William Walter Nichols. The year of his marriage, Francis was employed by Dick Auto Wrecking Company on East Pike Street in Clarksburg. He stood 6 feet tall and weighed 165 lbs, with blue eyes and blonde hair. As a widow, Evelyn maintained her residence in Bridgeport near Clarksburg.
  • Grandson Marion "Richard" Anderson (1930- ? ) was born on Feb. 11, 1930 in Clarksburg, Harrison County. Circa 1946, he resided at 109 Broadway in Clarksburg. When he was 19 years of age, on June 3, 1950, he entered into marriage with 17-year-old Barbara Ann Harbert ( ? -2020), daughter of Arwin " Fay" and Volena "Pearl" (Gerrard) Harbert of Sardis, WV, and the ward of Francis M. Harbert. Methodist church pastor Paul E. Sutton presided over the nuptials. The couple made their home over the years in Clarksburg. They bore one daughter, Kathy Hicks. Barbara earned a living as a dental assistant. She was elected president in 1988 of the Humane Society of Harrison County where she was a longtime board director. She belonged to the Order of Eastern Star and held a membership in St. Mark's Lutheran Church. Sadly, Barbara died in the United Hospital Center at the age of 87 on May 18, 2020. Funeral services were led by Rev. Linda Muhly, with interment in Bridgeport Cemetery.

Great-granddaughter Kathy Anderson ( ? -living) was born in (?). She wedded Jeffrey Hicks ( ? -living). The couple relocated to Greensburg, Westmoreland County, PA. They were the parents of Morgan Hicks.

Daughter Mary Heiman ( ? - ? )

Daughter Leona Heiman (1915- ? ) was born on Oct. 12, 1915 in West Virginia. She is known to have attended Washington Irving High School in Clarksburg.

Son Bernard Heiman (1918-1977) was born on Feb. 27, 1918 in Howesville, Preston County, WV. His middle names alternately have been given as "Lincoln" and "Woodrow." In adulthood he stood 5 feet, 9 inches tall, had brown eyes and red hair. Circa 1940, he worked for his brother-in-law Richard "Dick" Anderson in Clarksburg. Evidence hints that on July 12, 1943, he married Alice Pearl Dann (1923-1998), daughter of Edwin George and Carrie (Kendall) Dann. The couple was wed in Dayton, Montgomery County, OH. He joined the U.S. Army during World War II on June 6, 1942. He remained with the Army for more than a decade. He re-enlisted in September 1952, during the Korean War, and at that time was stationed in El Paso, TX. Death claimed him at the age of 59 on March 13, 1977 in Miami, FL. Alice appears to have outlived her husband by 21 years. She succumbed to death in Sarasota, FL on March 19, 1998.

Son Daniel Edward Riley Sr. (1922-2017) was born on Aug. 17, 1922 in Moundsville, Marshall County, WV. As a boy he relocated with his parents to Washington, Washington County, PA. He earned a living in the early 1940s with his work for the Civilian Conservation Corps. He joined the U.S. Army on Nov. 30, 1942 during World War II. His term of service ended on July 7, 1944 while at Thayer General Hospital in Nashville, TN. After the war's end, he returned to Washington and made a residence at 233 Shady Lane. He was joined in the bonds of wedlock with Roseann Marie ( ? - ? ). One son was born to the family, Daniel Edward Riley Jr. Their years were spent in Georgia, first in Lula, GA. Daniel earned a law degree from Woodrow Wilson School of Law in Atlanta. For a half-century, he earned a living as an automobile mechanic, with Camp Chevrolet as one of his workplaces. He also was a deputy sheriff in DeKalb County, GA for two decades. He also earned income as a real estate appraiser and agent. and then in 2008 with a move to Dawsonville, Lumpkin County. Toward the end, he was admitted as a resident of Tanglewood Assisted Living. At the age of 94, he passed into eternity on New Year's Day 2017. Burial was in Georgia National Cemetery, with Rev. Tony Allison leading the funeral.

  • Grandson Daniel Edward Riley Jr. was united in matrimony with Angie. They lived in Dawsonville, GA in 2017.

Son Hugh Charles Riley (1924-1977) was born on Jan. 26, 1924 in Morgantown, Monongalia County, WV. In adulthood, he stood 5 feet, 8 inches tall, weighed 130 lbs. and had brown eyes and brown hair. He was unemployed at the age of 18 and lived with his mother in Washington, Washington County, PA. During World War II, he joined the U.S. Army in May 1944 and served for seven months, and then re-enlisted and stayed until March 1946, receiving his discharge at Fort Dix, NJ. He spent the balance of his years in Washington and never married. He died in November 1977.

Son John Thomas Riley Jr. (1929-1974) was born on Feb. 25, 1929 in Moon Township, Allegheny County, near Pittsburgh.

Daughter Caroline Agnes "Carol" Riley (1934- ? ) was born in 1934. She entered into marriage with (?) Hammond ( ? - ? ).

Daughter Martha Lee Riley (1935-2005) was born on July 6, 1935 in Washington, Washington County, PA.

 

~ Son Junior Elsworth "June" Miller ~

Son Junior Elsworth "June" Miller (1895- ? ) was born Feb. 21, 1895 in Austen, Preston County. When a young man, he was of medium height and slender build, with red hair and brown eyes.

He married Elsie Clara (Wright) (1891-1939), a native of Thomas, Tucker County, WV and the daughter of Amos and Martha "Alice" (Liston) Wright. Her first husband reputedly was Walter Lee Wiles who had been killed in a coal mine accident in 1911.

The couple made their home in the Howesville section of Preston County and bore five children -- Bernice Lorraine Buchanan, Barton Wiles Miller, Wade C. Miller, Blair A. Miller and Glenn Osborne Miller.

When the United States prepared to enter World War I, Junior was required to register for the military draft. At the time, he stated that he resided at Bretz, WV and was employed as a "motorman in mines" for the Elkins Coal & Coke Company. He disclosed that he had a wife and two children to support.

Smoky, hot coke ovens at Bretz, WV, where June labored circa 1917
Courtesy Library of Congress

 

Preston County Journal, 1939

The federal census shows the family dwelling in Kingwood, Preston County, with four children in the household and June earning a living as a coal mine laborer. Within a few years, however, the Millers' marriage fell apart, and the couple separated. Junior moved out of the family home and relocated to New York State.

In 1933, when daughter Bernice sought to marry, Elsie signed her consent, and the fact of Elsie's marital separation was noted on the marriage license.

Tragically, suffering an infection at age 48, Elsie was admitted to the Kingwood City Hospital. She was unable to recover, and died there on June 12, 1939. She was laid to rest in the Camp Chapel Cemetery, said the Preston County Journal, following funeral services at the Howesville Methodist Church, led by Rev. Orin D. Curtis. Alice Wright, her mother, was the informant for her official West Virginia death certificate. 

Junior is last referenced in the known historical record circa 1949 when, still in New York, he was mentioned in the Preston County Journal obituary of his mother. His fate after that is unknown to his grandchildren. More will be added here if learned.

 

James and Bernice Buchanan
Courtesy Linda (Miller) Bunnell

Daughter Bernice Lorraine Miller (1914-2003) was born on May 7, 1914 in Preston County. She married James Henry Buchanan (Aug. 23, 1908-2008), one of 11 children of Joseph Eli and Elizabeth M. (Adams) Buchanan. James was a native of Hur, Calhoun County, WV but at the time of marriage was a resident of Clarksburg, Harrison County. The wedding was performed on April 24, 1933, when Bernice was age 19, and James 25. Rev. N.L. Casey, of the Methodist Episcopal Church of Tunnelton performed the nuptials. The family made its home in the Bunner Ridge community near Fairmont, Marion County, WV. They had two known offspring, Gloria Buchanan and James Buchanan. When the federal census enumeration was made in 1940, the Buchanans lived on Speedway Avenue in Fairmont, with James employed as a mechanic in a local glass factory. Bernice passed into eternity on July 12, 2003 at the age of 89. James survived her by five years. He succumbed just five months before his 100th birthday on March 16, 2008. Bernice and James rest side by side in the Grandview Memorial Gardens in Fairmont.

 

  • Granddaughter Gloria Buchanan (1937- ? ) was born in about 1937 in Fairmont. She was married and had one daughter, Catherine Virginia Combs.
  • Grandson James Allen Buchanan (1938- ? ) was born in about 1938. He grew up in Fairmont. He married Mary Harsh, daughter of Cecil and Martha Hursh. They lived in Fairmont and produced three children -- Candy Anderson, Dawn Murphy and James "Buck" Buchanan.

Great-granddaughter Candy Buchanan (1961-2010) was born in 1961. She was married to Todd Anderson ( ? - ? ). She earned a living as a certified nurse's aide for Fairmont General Hospital. She died of cancer at the age of 48 on Nov. 22, 2010 at her home in Smithfield, WV, with burial in Mannington Memorial Park Cemetery and an obituary published in the Fairmont Times-West Virginian.

Son Wade Carl Miller (1917-1983) was born on Jan. 27, 1917. At the death of his mother in 1939, he and his brothers went to live with their widowed grandmother, Martha "Alice" (Liston) Wright, in Kingwood, Preston County. The United States Census shows Wade and his brother Blair laboring as coal miners in 1940. Blair married Leora Mae Shaffer (Feb. 5, 1924-1979). They had three sons -- Richard Lee Miller, Timothy Allen Miller and Thomas Ward Miller. At the age of 55, Leora passed away on Sept. 4, 1979. Wade only survived her by four years. He died on Dec. 9, 1983. Burial was in Beech Run Cemetery in Preston County.

  • Grandson Richard Lee Miller
  • Grandson Timothy Allen Miller
  • Grandson Thomas Ward Miller

Son Blair E. Miller (1920-1944) was born on April 20, 1920. At the age of 20, in 1940, with his father having abandoned the family, he made his home under the roof of his widowed grandmother Alice Wright in Kingwood, Preston County. There, he earned income as a coal miner. He later resided in Howesville, Preston County and married Elizabeth May Hartman (1922-1958), daughter of Lloyd and Mary (Neville) Hartman. They produced one daughter, Joan Elizabeth Boyce. During World War II, Blair served as a private first class in the 143rd Infantry, 36th Division of the U.S. Army. Tragically, while in action in France, he received a fatal wound and died on Aug. 27, 1944 at the age of 24. His remains were returned to West Virginia for burial in Grafton National Cemetery in Taylor County. [Find-a-Grave] Elizabeth survived him for nearly a quarter of a century. On July 3, 1948, the 25-year-old Elizabeth married a second time to 24-year-old World War II Navy veteran Willis Earl Stiles (Jan. 7, 1924-1953), son of Emil H. and Ada Pearl (St. Clair) Stiles of Morgantown. Rev. L.H. Burns, a Methodist church pastor in Morgantown, officiated at their wedding. The couple's address was 648 Afton Avenue in Morgantown. She was plunged into widowhood a second time when Willis passed away on Oct. 4, 1953, when he was only 29 years of age. Having developed breast cancer, the illness spread to Elizabeth's liver and lungs. She suffered for six years before death mercifully took her away at the age of 36 on Nov. 27, 1958. Signing her death certificate was "Miss Mary Miller" of Morgantown. The Stileses are buried in Beverly Hills Memorial Park in Morgantown. On May 30, 1968 -- Memorial Day -- Blair's and his colleagues' names were included in a column in the Morgantown (WV) Dominion News, which said "We pay humble tribute to them and express our gratitude for these sons of Monongalia and Preston counties who have died in the line of duty..."

  • Granddaughter Joan Elizabeth Miller (1944-2017) was born on Aug. 23, 1944 in Tunnelton, Preston County. She was only a few days old when her father was killed in action in France during World War II. She grew up with Willis Earl Stiles as her father figure. She was joined in wedlock with Lanny Boyce ( ? - ? ), son of Franklin Wadsworth and Opal Virginia (Murray/Summers) Boyce. The pair stayed together for 53 years. The three children they bore together were Blair Edward Boyce, Jerry Boyce and Lana Jo Boyce. She passed away at the age of 72 on May 12, 2017. Pastor Dan Meadows led the funeral. Her remains are at rest in Beverly Hills Memorial Park in Morgantown.

Great-grandson Blair Edward Boyce (1965-2010) was born on March 7, 1965. Sadly, at the age of 45, he was carried away by the angel of death in Morgantown on July 7, 2010. Burial was in Pleasant Hill Cemetery in Morgantown.

Great-grandson Jerry Boyce was united in matrimony with Roxanne.

Great-granddaughter Lana Jo Boyce

Bird's eye view of Clarksburg

 

Son Glenn Osborne Miller (1923-2003) was born on Oct. 20, 1923 in Howesville, Preston County. At the death of his mother in 1939, and his father having abandoned the family, Glenn and his older brothers were brought into the home of their widowed grandmother, Martha "Alice" (Liston) Wright, in Kingwood, Preston County. Then at the outbreak of World War II, he joined the U.S. Army Air Corps. At the age of 22, on Jan. 26, 1946, Glenn married 20-year-old Ruby "Jean" McCabe (April 15, 1925-2016), a native of Tunnelton, Preston County and the daughter of Samuel Paul and Cecile Gertrude (Wolfe) McCabe. Rev. V.C. Wilson officiated at the ceremony held in Clarksburg. At the time of marriage, Glenn resided at 719 Speedway in Fairmont and Jean at 419 East Pike Street in Clarksburg. Their three children were Linda Jean Bunnell, Randall Glenn Miller and Shari Ann Miller. Glenn was employed as a welder for years by Hope Gas Company, and retired from the position. They made their longtime home on Crooked Run Road in Clarksburg, Harrison County, WV. Glenn died at home on Jan. 20, 2003. Pastor Jason Horrock led the funeral service. Jean outlived her husband by 13 years. She joined him in death in Salem, WV on Aug. 30, 2016. Both rest in the Grafton National Cemetery.

  • Granddaughter Linda Jean Miller
  • Grandson Randall Glenn Miller
  • Granddaughter Shari Ann Miller

 

~ Daughter Anna G. Miller ~

Daughter Anna G. Miller (1898- ? ) was born on Sept. 11, 1898. Nothing more about her is known. 

She may be the same person as "Mrs. Dessie Everetts of Newburg" as mentioned in family newspaper obituaries over the years. Dessie resided in Newburg, Preston County, circa 1960.

 

~ Son Arthur "Ott" Miller ~

Son Arthur "Ott" Miller (1901-1954) was born on Jan. 21, 1901. 

On Nov. 29, 1922, when he was 22, and she 36, Ott married Pearl Lanham (1885-1964). Rev. Ben F. Donley, of the Kingwood Methodist Episcopal Church, performed the ceremony at Tunnelton, Preston County. They were 14 years apart in age. 

Pearl, a native of Howesville, Preston County, was the daughter of Sheldon and Irene (McGinnis) Salisbury.  She brought a daughter to the marriage, Irene Lanham. 

 

Ott's obituary, 1955

They had one daughter of their own, Lucille Maria Temple. The Millers resided in Howesville, and were members of the Howesville Church of Christ. 

During World War I, Ott served in the U.S. military. Later, he was a coal mine operator for many years. 

Afflicted with heart blockage and a urinary infection, Ott passed away at the age of 54 on Feb. 1, 1955. He was interred in the Maplewood Cemetery in Kingwood. 

 

Preston County Journal, 1964

Pearl outlived her husband by nine years. She died on Sept. 22, 1964, at the age of 79. She was laid to eternal rest beside her husband. At her death, said the Preston County Journal, she was survived by one grandson, as well as a brother William Salisbury of Akron, OH and a sister Ruth Heiskell of Dayton, OH.

Stepdaughter Irene Lanham made her home in Tunnelton, Preston County, in 1955.

Daughter Lucille Maria Miller (1924- ? ) was born on Dec. 14, 1924. On July 13, 1946, when she was age 21, and he 23, Lucille wed Lantz Elwood Temple (1922- ? ), the son of Floyd and Goldie (Weaver) Temple. The wedding took place in Reedsville, Preston County, by the hand of Rev. Foster Leroy Jones. In 1955, she lived in Tunnelton.

 

~ Daughter Catherine "Callie" (Miller) Adams ~

Daughter Kathleen "Callie" Miller (1902- ? ) wed Joseph Adams (1898- ? ), the son of Grant and Harriet Adams, and a native of Harrison County, WV. They were wed in Clarksburg on Aug. 24, 1923, when she was age 22 and he 25. Rev. F.C. Miller, a Baptist minister, performed the nuptials. 

The Adamses went on to have at least one daughter, Stella Adams. 

The federal census of 1930 shows Joseph, Catherine and daughter Stella making their home with Joseph's parents in rural Calhoun County. Joseph's occupation was marked as a farmer. Their niece Velma Stutler, age 10, also lived under the Adams roof.

In 1949, Callie's aged mother died at their home in Grantsville, Calhoun County, WV. The Adamses resided in Everettville, Monongalia County, WV in 1960, when Callie was mentioned in the newspaper obituary of her brother Tye.

Daughter Stella Adams (1921- ? ) was born in 1921.

 

Copyright © 2008, 2010, 2017, 2021 Mark A. Miner

Minerd.com extends its gratitude to Patricia Murphy and Linda (Miller) Bunnell for sharing information for this biography.