Samuel Miller; One of the wealthiest citizens of Springfield Township, as shown by the tax list, he has made his fortune by industry, enterprise and an unusual degree of acumen. He was born in Monroe County, New York, October 12, 1826. His father, George Miller, was a son of Joseph Miller, of Irish descent. His ancestors in this country reside in New Jersey. His grandmother, Mary Miller, lived to a good old age, having been the mother of three children. The father of our subject was reared up on the home farm and came to Monroe County, New York when eight years old. It was a new country and where he grew to manhood. After his marriage he settled on a farm of 60 acres.

In April 1837, George Miller came to this state, walking the entire distance from his home to Lockwood, New York, where he took to canal boat to Buffalo, and a steamer to Detroit. He then resumed his journey on foot to his new home in Independence Township. Here he bought 120 acres and made a home out of a log house which is been used as a stable. He then set first wife and six children and found a home in the wilderness. Indians were numerous, but no other settlers, and little children were very homesick and timid. 300 Indians was seventy-five ponies camped near the farm. Mr. Miller was a successful farmer and stock raiser and at his death May 9, 1882, he was the possessor of 300 acres of finally improved land he was first a Democrat, later a Whig, but upon organization of the Republican Party, identified himself there with. His religious belief was that if a man lived and upright life he would go to heaven.

the wife of George Miller bore the maiden name of Polly Smith. She was born in New Jersey, April 16, 1803, and saw some hard times here in the early days. Her children namely; Hannah, Samuel, Anna, Mary, Dave and George. Her religious beliefs accorded with that of her husband. Her father, David Smith, was a soldier in the War of 1812, and having been wounded in the arm, he became a pensioner of the Government. George Miller was for a long time Road Commissioner and help the layout many the roads in Independence Township.

The subject of this sketch was seven years old when he came to this county. The rate bill system was then in vogue in the district where he lived, and his father paid the tuition of many a poor boy, who are the rise would of been deprived educational advantages. At that time Indians were more plentiful than white men and are subject often attended Indian Pow-wows. He used to sleep up in the garret of the log house and could look out and see the wolves, twenty or thirty in a drove. He lived with his father and worked to the home farm until his twenty-eight years old. When he started out in life for himself when he bought 120 acres adjoining his father’s land, but traded it in 1863 by the same amount land in this township.

the marriage of our Subject Took Pl., July 4, 1854. His wife, Catherine Houser, a native of New York, died two years after marriage at the early age of nineteen. She had one child which died when two and one half months old. Mr. Miller’s second Marriage Took Pl., March 29, 1863. His wife was Elsie Mesurall, a native of Independence Township, and was born November 22, 1841. Her parents came hither and territorial days, and passed the remainder of their lives in his community. To our subject and a sustainable wife five children have been born, four of whom still remain to cheer of the hearts their parents. They are named Sidney I., Charles G., Thaddeus, Benjamin and David C., The latter is deceased.

Mr. Miller owns 550 acres all in one body, 425 or which are cleared. He keeps between 401,000 head of sheep, and breed Shropshire fine wool sheep as well as large numbers of other stock. His large brick mansion was erected in 1877, and is fine barns in 1880 1883. In politics he is a Republican and has served as Road Commissioner and in school offices. His home is pleasantly situated 3 miles from Clarkston and is one of the most attractive in the community. For many years Mr. Miller ran a threshing machine and found the business quite lucrative. A man of remarkable ability and good judgment, he is highly esteemed by his members.