Obit: Miller, Herman M. (1851 - 1938)

Contact:  Crystal Wendt

Surnames: Miller, Fich, Bradford, Kutchera, Englund, Reindel, Johnson, Tragsdorf, Longenecker, Frantz, Kurlburt, Kurth, Carl, Cramer, Potter, Steffney

----Sources: Neillsville Press (Neillsville, Clark County, Wis.) 24 Feb. 1938

Miller, Herman M. (14 Nov. 1851 - 21 Feb. 1938)

Herman M. Miller, pioneer contractor, cabinet maker and farmer of this county, passed away at the Neillsville hospital Monday evening at 5:15, where he was taken Sunday morning, after fracturing his left hip in a fall in his home.

Deceased was born at Berlin, Germany, Nov. 14, 1851, and there grew to young manhood. He received his education and fitted himself for his vocation under the thorough requirements of students of the trades in that country.

He was married to Miss Helene Fich at Berlin in 1878, and one son, August, was born to them there. About 60 years ago they came to America and, after a short stay in Chicago, came to Clark County, where he worked at this trade for many years, later taking up farming in Pine Valley and in the town of York. The family lived on their farm in the latter town for 21 years and then purchased property in Neillsville, which has since been their home. Mrs. Miller passed away May 22, 1930, and the son died in 1932.

Mr. and Mrs. Miller were also the parents of seven daughters, Anna, Mrs. Wm. Bradford, Amanda, Mrs. Ed Kutchera, Minnie and Clara, all of Neillsville, the latter two having made a home for their father; Ellen, Mrs. A. N. Englund, Minneapolis; Beatrice, Mrs. Wm. Reindel, of the town of York, and Lillian, Mrs. Neal Johnson, Minneapolis. There are four grandchildren, Irene, Florence and Charles Bradford and Gloria Reindel, all of whom survive and will be here for the funeral. There are also several nieces and nephews, who reside at Albion Mich., Eau Claire and Spencer.

Mr. Miller was an excellent workman, painstaking, and thoroughly honest in his dealings with his fellow men. He built many of the landmarks in this community, among them in the town Kearns home, the Wiesner hotel, the Youmans and Kurth Corners farm dwellings, the Edgebert house, the Ben Tragsdorf homestead, the Maple Glen farm house and many others. When St. John’s Lutheran church celebrated its golden jubilee a year ago last fall, Mr. Miller was the only surviving workman on the original structure.

In his farming activities he was also very successful, and with the help of his wife and children built up a fine farm, with a good dwelling and substantial outbuildings.

Funeral services will be held Thursday at 2 o’clock p.m. at Schiller’s Funeral home, Rev. G. W. Longenecker performing the rites, interment taking place in the Neillsville Cemetery. The pallbearers will be Geo. Frantz, Wm. Hurlburt, Wm. Kurth, Alfred Carl, George Cramer and Wayne Potter.

Among the out-of-town relatives, besides the immediate family, who will be here for the funeral is: Mrs. Clara Steffney, Eau Claire; Mrs. Augusta Miller, Albion, Mich.; Mr. and Mrs. Emil Miller, Spencer; and Neal Johnson, Minneapolis.