Samuel Miller, one of the wealthiest citizens of Springfield Township, is shown by the tax list, his 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 resided in New Jersey. His grandmother, Mary Miller, live to a good old age, having been the mother of three children. The father over 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 here 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 Lockport, New York, where he took the canal boat the Buffalo, and a steer 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 of a log house which had been used as a stable. He then sent for his wife and six children and her phone of a home in the wilderness. Indians were numerous, but no other settlers, and a little children were very homesick and timid. 300 Indians with seventy-five ponies camped near their farm. Mr. Miller was a successful farmer and stock raiser, and it is May 9, 1882, he was a professor of 300 acres of finally improved land. He was first a Democrat, later a Whig, but upon the organization of the Republican Party, identified himself there with. His religious belief was that if a man lived and upright life he could go to heaven.

The wife of George Miller for 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 were named 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 to lay out many of 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 otherwise would have been deprived of educational advantages. At the time Indians were more plentiful than the white man, 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 the home farm until he was twenty-eight years old. When he started out life for himself he bought 120 acres adjoining his father’s land, but traded it in 1863 for the same Amano land in this Township. The marriage of our subject took place, July 4, 1854. His wife, Catherine Houser, a native of New York, died two years after marriage in an early age of nineteen. She had one child which died when 2 ½ months old. Mr. Miller’s second marriage took place, March 29, 1863. His wife was Elsie Mesurall , a native of independence Township, and 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 sustainable wife five children have been born, for whom still remains to the hearts of their parents. They were named Sydney I., Charles G., Thaddeus, Benjamin and David C., The latter being deceased.

Mr. Miller owns 550 acres all in one body, 425 of which are cleared. He keeps between 400- 1000 head of sheep, and breeds Shopshire fine wool sheep, as well as large numbers of other stock. His large brick mansion was erected in 1877, and is fine bonds in 1880 in 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, is highly esteemed by his neighbors.