CHILDREN OF JACOB MILLER AND SARAH CURRY

JAMES CAMPBELL MILLER was born on 24 Jul 1826 in Center, Butler, Pennsylvania. In 1848, he married LOVINA BRIGHT (07 Aug 1828 - 23 Feb 1904). (Family listed below.) He and Lovina are buried at New Zion Church Cemetery in Pisgah, Cooper County, Missouri.

HENRY MILLER was born sometime around 1829 in Pennsylvania, according to the 1850 census, while living with his parents. Henry's records have become hopelessly intertwined with a immigrant's named Heinrich Mueller, born the same year in what is now Germany. Both men resided in the area of Butler, Pennsylvania, and Heinrich at some point Americanized his name to Henry.

MARY ELIZABETH MILLER was born on 10 Mar 1835 to Jacob and Sarah, according to her death certificate. She married Civil War soldier Eli Benjamine Philips (1845-1923) and they had the following children: Sarah E (1868-1928), Emma Jane (Stewart, 1869-1943), and John W Philips (1872-1954). Mary died on 9 May 1922 and is buried with Eli at Cowansville Cemetery in Cowansville, Armstrong County, Pennsylvania.

DANIEL CURRY MILLER was born on 30 Jul 1837 in Chicora, Butler, Pennsylvania. On 19 Jan 1860 he married Delilah Hutchinson (1844-1936) in Butler Co, and they had the following children: Sarah Ellen (1861-1943), William John (1862-1955), Annie E (1864-1942), George Volney (1866-1866), Mary Myrtle (1867-1871), Malinda Rachel (1869-1871), a son (1869-1869), Minnie Belle (Brandon, 1871-1961), Perry E. (1873-1949), Cora Melzina (1875-1947), Iva Esaa (Cooper, 1877-1966), Clenney Daniel (1879-1880), Viola Delilah (1881-1967), Grace Lina (1884-1973) and Abbott Merle Miller (1886-1913). Daniel died on 15 Mar 1916 in Center, Butler, Pennsylvania. At his death he had 9 surviving children and 41 grandchildren.

ROBERT J MILLER was born on 22 Mar 1840. Robert died on 28 Jun 1927 in Franklin, Butler, Pennsylvania, at the age of 87.

ISAIAH MILLER was born in1843 in Center, Butler, Pennsylvania. He enlisted in the Union Army at Sunbury, PA on 10 June 1861 during the Civil War. He was a Pvt. in the 11th PA Reserves and the 40th PAP Reg. Vols., Co.C., and died of disease at Point Lookout, St Mary's County, Maryland on 12 Aug 1862. He is buried in Scotland, St Mary's County,Maryland.

Brecht

   Their eldest son, JAMES CAMPBELL MILLER, born on the 24th of July, in 1826, who became a farmer. In 1850 lived in Center Township, near his parents. James married LOVINA (or LUVINA or LAVINA) BRIGHT (b. 7 Aug 1828 - 23 Feb 1904), pictured above. After 1860, he moved to Moniteau, in Cooper County, in the central region of Missouri. The county was organized December 17, 1818, and named for Sarshell Cooper, a frontier settler who was killed by Native Americans near Arrow Rock in 1814.
   Lovina's family (originally Brecht) had a long history going back a hundred years before they even arrived in this country, back to to KUNTZ BRECHT, born Abt. 1565 in Neudorf, Karlsr, Baden. His great-great grandson, JOHANNES MICHAEL BRECHT, was born on 12 Oct 1662 and with wife ANNA KATHERINE HOFFMAN, sailed to America with their sons Michael and Stephen. The Germans from the Palatinate region of Germany had suffered from decades of war, five years of bitter winters and summer droughts. They were invited to the New World first by William Penn and then by England's Queen Anne in 1709. They arrived as indentured servants who had to work their way to freedom for the British government. (Basically, state-owned slaves until the agreed-upon time was up.) After years of work, the family acquired land and established roots in Germantown, Pennsylvania. Michael Brecht changed his name (either by translating it to English, or just through bad spelling) to Bright and eventually grew prosperous with a 250-acre farm.

Personal Information Census Image Name: James C. Miller Age: 22 Birthplace: Pennsylvania Home in 1850: Center, Butler, Pennsylvania Gender: Male Estimated Birth Year: Abt. 1828 Birth State Pennsylvania Attended School within year No Page: 277 Roll: M432_760 View image View blank 1850 census form  (PDF 136K) SOURCE INFORMATION: 1850 United States Federal Census. M432, 1009 rolls. National Archives and Records Administration, Washington D.C.

   But by the mid-1800s, that land had been divided and sub-divided to heirs, and by Lavina's time there just wasn't enough to live on. Her father HENRY BRIGHT, a veteran of the War of 1812, had died in his forties, and his land was contested. Lovina and James petitioned the court at OC 2-138 on 12/26/1849: "James C. Miller Lavinia his wife formerly Lavinia Bright and heir of Henry Bright late of Center Twp, Butler County, Pennsylvania" petitioned the court to partition the estate of Lovina's father between his heirs. It states that "Henry Bright died many years ago interstate and also his wife that he left ... six children to wit: Barbara, married to Jacob Brown of Center Twp., Margaret married to Harvey Moore, Emilia married to Alexander Clark of Greensburg, Westmoreland Co., Lavinia married to James C. Miller of Center Twp. Sons Christopher and Henry (the last four minors) "who are yet in their minority and Jacob Brown is their guardian.; and seized of two lots in the City of Allegheny." The court ordered the property sold. So Lovina and James took their inheritance and looked to move west.
   During the Civil War, Missouri had been a hotly contested border state populated by both Union and Confederate sympathizers. Missouri sent armies and supplies to both sides, and even maintained dual governments. By the end of the war in 1865, nearly 110,000 Missourians had served in the Union Army and at least 40,000 in the rebel army; many had also fought with bands of pro-Confederate "bushwhackers." Missouri saw more than 1,200 distinct military engagements within its boundaries until the Confederate surrender, and as a result, 25% of the pre-Civil War population of Missouri had moved by the close of the war, leaving the state poor and depleted. Furthermore, the state's southern slaveholder settlers were being supplanted by immigrants, particularly Germans (like the Brights) and Irish (like the Millers), and northerners (like both families, from Pennsylvania)... and that's when the Miller family moved to Missouri, searching for a fresh start like their ancestors had. They also raised a family there:

CHILDREN OF JAMES CAMPBELL MILLER AND LUVINA BRIGHT

HENRY JAMES MILLER was born on 4 Jul 1849 in Butler, Pennsylvania. He married (1) Nancy J Parker (1841-1900); after she passed, Henry married (2) Oran Inman (1881-1906) and they had three children: Grace (b. 1901), Goldie (b. 1902) and Henry II (18 Mar 1905 - 19 Aug 1977). Henry I died on 5 July 1906 in Moniteau, Cooper, Missouri, and is buried with Nancy at Green Ridge Baptist Church Cemetery in Eldon County, Missouri.

MARY MALISSA MILLER was born on 21 Nov 1851 in Butler, Pennsylvania. She married John Pritchard (family listed, below). "On the 12th of Oct 1886 Mrs Pritchard died after a short illness. She was a woman who had endeared herself by her many good qualities of head and heart to all who knew her and her loss both to the family and the community is sincerely mourned." The image at right is a charcoal portrait made from a photograph. The rendering is in the posession of Irene Wenk-Poley, Mary's great grandaughter, through her son, William Pritchard, and his daughter, Dorothy Pritchard-Wenk. It hangs in the main room of her Michigan house, framed and proudly displayed with a similar portrait of John.

CLYNE MALISSA MILLER was born on 7 May 1854, in Butler, Pennsylvania. He married Margie and they lived in Burris Fork Township, Moniteau, Missouri. They had Charley A (b. 1886), Bertha (b. 1890), Jessie (b. 1893) and Lilly Miller (b. 1899). Clyne died on 10 Jun 1903 in Oktaha, Muskogee, Oklahoma.

MAHALA ANN MILLER was born on 20 Apr 1856, in Butler, Pennsylvania. On 20 Apr 1880 she married Frederick Schlup (1837-1905) and they had the following children: Samuel Cline (1881-1970), Henry Miller (1883-1984), Charles A (1886-1928), Albert William (1889-1967), Ovey Farrington (1894-1977), and Frank Forrest Schlup (1896-1977). Mahala died on 27 Jul 1951 in Cooper, Missouri, and is buried at New Zion Church Cemetery in Pisgah, Cooper County, Missouri.

ALBERT BRIGHT MILLER, was born on 14 Dec 1858, in Butler, Pennsylvania. He was in the military, then on 12 Apr 1896 he married Nola Ellen Piatt (1874-1957) in Moniteau, Cooper, Missouri. They had no children but raised of nephew of Nola's named Lawrence H Hatfield (22 May 1916 - 04 Jan 1999). Albert died on 10 Jun 1943 in California, Moniteau County, Missouri, and is buried at New Zion Church Cemetery in Pisgah, Cooper County, Missouri.

AMELIA BARBARAH MILLER was born on 12 Mar 1861, in Pennsylvania. She had a son, Audie Oscar Miller (1893-1967) with an unknown father. On 21 Oct 1915 she married Albert Taylor Patterson (1861-1948) in Boonville, Cooper Co, Missouri. She died on 11 Mar 1949 and ia buried at Crown Hill City Cemetery in California, Moniteau Co, Missouri.

MELINDA JANE "LINNIE" MILLER was born on 10 Apr 1864, in Pennsylvania. She married Robert Lee Patterson (1856 - 1910) the older brother of Amelia's husband, Albert, and they had the following children: Stewart B (1886-1919); Stella Amelia (1887-1985); Nola Dell (1889-1986); Maggie Ellen (1891-1981); Pearly May (1893-1913); Charles L. (1896-1976); Emma Lovyna (1900-1976); George C. (1902-1921); and Bernice E. (1908-1908). After Robert's death, she married Will C. Dyer (1856 - 1932). Melinda died on 4 Sep 1942 in Benton, Missouri and is buried at Bethel Campground Cemetery in Edwards, Benton County, Missouri. See her with her grandkids Karl and Geraldine Gemes here. (Courtesy of Geraldine Gemes Wise)

MARTHA JANE MILLER was born on 26 Apr 1867, in Somerset, Pennsylvania. She died on 22 Sep 1871 from Scarlet Fever and is buried at Sappington Cemetery in Clarksburg, Moniteau County, Missouri.

ADDIE MARGARET "MAGGIE" MILLER was born on 11 Feb 1871 in Cooper, Missouri. On 20 Oct 1892 she married Orpheus "Robert" Blalock in Moniteau, Missouri, and they had the following children: Addie Mae (Howe, 1895-1995), James T (1897-1979), William J (1900-1959), and Henry Deacon Blalock (1902-1985). Maggie died on 7 Apr 1932 and is buried at New Zion Church Cemetery in Pisgah, Cooper County, Missouri.

Albert Bright Miller (14 Dec 1858 - 10 Jun 1943), his wife Nola Ellen Piatt (28 Nov 1874 - 24 Feb 1957), and her nephew Lawrence H. Hatfield (22 May 1916 - 04 Jan 1999) an orphan who lived with Albert and Nola. Next to Nola is Albert's nephew, David James "Jim" Pritchard. In back of the group is the log cabin that James Campbell Miller and Lovina Bright lived in.

Albert Taylor Patterson (08 Jul 1861 - 11 Mar 1948), Aunt Amelia Barbarah Miller Patterson (12 Mar 1861 - 11 Mar 1949), Bessie O Streby Schlup (son Ovey's wife, 31 Mar 1896 - 9 Apr 1991), Aunt Mahala Ann Miller Schlup (20 Apr 1856 - 27 Jul 1951), and David James "Jim" Pritchard (12 Apr 1878 - 27 Jun 1941).

"Edgar County Cousins" (descendants of Henry James Miller): listed on the back of the photo as Mary Light, Ella Sutton, (listed as David Pritchard), and Jennie O'Brient.

Pritchard

   Their daughter, MARY MALISSA MILLER, was born in Pennsylvania. From there she moved with her family to Missouri. There, Mary met an immigrant from Wales named JOHN PRITCHARD. There is evidence that John had been married before, to a woman named Caroline who had died sometime after their arrival in the United States in the year 1859. About a dozen years after John's arrival, he was wed to Mary.
   The following account is from the book, Portrait and Biographical Album of Livingston County Illinois: "On the 3rd of Oct 1872 while living in Missouri, Mr Pritchard was married to Mary M. Miller a native of Pennsylvania, who was born on the 21st of Nov 1851. To them was born 7 children. Shortly after marriage Mr. Pritchard came to Livingston Co and settled on the farm on which he now resides on the Vermillion River. He first purchased of land consisted of 80 acres, to which he subsequently added until he now has a farm of 160 acres which is model in all appointments and equipment. When he became possessed of this land there had practically never been any improvements made upon it nor any cultivation attempted." While cultivating the land, the Pritchards also grew a family:

CHILDREN OF JOHN PRITCHARD AND MARY MILLER

JOHN BAPTISTE PRITCHARD was born on 23 Sep 1873. He moved to California and married IDA KENBECK (18 Feb 1891 - 06 Jul 1915). They had a daughter, ROBERTA JUNE PRITCHARD (b. 03 Jun 1915 in Sacramento, CA) m. Marion L. Mazzoni (1908 - 1969). Roberta and Marion had a son, John James, on 13 Sep 1939 in Solano, CA. John B. died on 01 Mar 1945 in San Francisco, California. World War I draft registration.

MARGARET E. PRITCHARD was born on 09 Jan 1876. She married THOMAS BURR SIMS (1873-1957) and they moved southeast of Saunemin. After the death of her father, John, they purchased his farm and moved back. Margaret and Burr had a daughter, MARY EDNA SIMS, in 1912, and ran the family farm all of her life, into the 1960s. Margaret died in 1966, and Mary and husband Lester Ellington then ran the farm. Mrs. Sims Notes 90th Birthday: On Same Farm Where She Was Born.

DAVID JAMES PRITCHARD was born on 12 Apr 1878. He married KATHERINE L. TRONCE (b. 28 Mar 1883) and they had a son, MARION CLARK PRITCHARD, in 1908. Marion m. Iris Sullivan (1909-2001): two sons James Clark Pritchard b.1932, William Gerald b. 1936. David died in 1941. Katherine died in Apr 1989 in Pontiac, Livingston, Illinois. World War I draft registration.

WILLIAM CLINE PRITCHARD was born in 1880. He married NELLE WINTERS in Saunemin, Livingston, Illinois, and they had two daughters, DOROTHY and HELEN. The family moved to Washtenaw County, Michigan, and William went into politics, becoming a Justice of the Peace. William died on 23 Jun 1958 in Chelsea, Washtenaw, Michigan. See William the politician working here.

FRANKLIN THOMAS PRITCHARD was born on 26 Feb 1882 in Saunemin, Illinois. He married LUCY SHEPPELMAN (b. 05 Mar 1898) on 18 Dec 1918 and they had two children: WILMA ELAINE (b. 13 Aug 1921) and DURELLE FRANK (b. 15 Apr 1937). Franklin died on 10 Aug 1951. Lucy died on 14 Oct 1994 in Pontiac, Livingston, Illinois. World War II draft registration. See Frank as a cowboy.

MARY JANE PRITCHARD was born on 17 Oct 1884 in in Saunemin, Livingston County, IL. She married WILLIAM IMMKE (14 Oct 1877 - 30 May 1963) and they ran a farm in Saunemin. Mary Jane and William had the following children: ARNOLD EARLE (6 Jul 1905 - 22 Mar 1966) and CLARENCE W. IMMKE (12 Nov 1910 - Sep 1976). Mary Jane died on 6 Feb 1953 in Saunemin, Livingston, Illinois.

LIVINIA MARTHA PRITCHARD was born on 12 Oct 1886 in Saunemin. She married JOSEPH ELMER ALBIN (11 Mar 1880 - 30 Mar 1944) at Clarksburg, Missouri, on 26 Sep 1906. They had four kids: SUDIE RITH (b. 07 Oct 1907), FLOYD (24 Dec 1908 - 29 Nov 1996), GRACE (24 Jun 1909 - 25 Oct 1909) and ALBERT (02 Dec 1921 - 08 Dec 2003). Livinia died on 12 Aug 1978 in Tipton, MO. She and Joseph are buried at New Zion Cumberland Presbyterian Church Cemetery (also called Mount Zion Cemetery) in Clarksburg, Missouri.

Mary Miller-Pritchard, with John and children.

   The union was as successful as the farm. But then tragedy struck. As reported in the aforementioned book, Portrait and Biographical Album of Livingston County Illinois: "On the 12th of Oct 1886 Mrs Pritchard died after a short illness. She was a woman who had endeared herself by her many good qualities of head and heart to all who knew her and her loss both to the family and the community is sincerely mourned."
   Beyond that account, we don't know much more about Mary Malissa Miller. She died over 30 years before her grandaughter Dorothy, her last living grandchild, was born. All we have now is handed down in old books, a few legal records... and one photograph.
   Before I comment on the children in this photo, it has to be remembered that people had to hold still for many minutes to get a decent photograph in the 1880s. That being said, those kids look a little wild in this shot; the younger they get, the more frenetic and blurry they get. Even John is a little out of focus. But Mary is serene, calm... unshakeable, no matter how much the toddler on her lap heaves and sways. That's a tough lady, and as we have seen, she comes from a very tough family. That is one of the very few images ever made of her, and the only photographic one. But it says a lot.

SOURCES FOR THIS PAGE

• "Mrs. Sims Notes 90th Birthday on the Same Farm Where She Was Born," local Fairbury, Illinois, newspaper, January 13, 1966.
• Portrait and biographical album of Livingston County, Ill. : containing full page portraits and biographical sketches of prominent and representative citizens of the county : together with portraits and biographies of all the governors of Illinois, and of the presidents of the United States, published by the Chapman Bros., Chicago (1888), pages 895, 896: "JOHN PRITCHARD, now a resident of Saunemin Township, is n native of Wales, in which country he resided until twenty -eight years of age. He was born on the 7th of October, 1832, and is the son of David and Guine Pritchard, the former a native of Wales, but of Scotch ancestry, as was also the mother. To the parents were born six children, named: Margaret, William, Eleanor, David, John and Thomas. The Pritchard family are all long-lived people, the father having reached eighty-five years and the mother ninety years. On the 3d of October, 1872, while living in Missouri, Mr. Pritchard was married to Mary M. Miller, a native of Pennsylvania, who was born on the 21st of November, 1851. To them were born seven children, whose record is as follows: John B. was born Sept. 23, 1873; Margaret E., Jan. 9, 1876; David J., April 12, 1878; William C., Feb. 11, 1880; Franklin T., Feb. 26, 1882; Mary J., Oct. 17, 1884, and Lavinia M., Sept. 25, 1886. Shortly after marriage, Mr. Pritchard came to Livingston County and settled on the farm on which he now resides, on the Vermilion River. His first purchase of land consisted of eighty acres, to which he subsequently added until he now has a farm of 160 acres, which is a model in all its appointments and equipments. When he became possessed of this land there had practically never been any improvements made upon it, nor any cultivation attempted. On the 13th of October, 1886, Mrs. Pritchard died after a short illness. She was a woman who had endeared herself by her many good qualities of head and heart, to all who knew her, and her loss, both to the family and the community, is sincerely mourned. Mr. Pritchard is a member of the Baptist Church, in which lie has served in the capacity of Deacon, and is also Superintendent of the Sunday-school. He is a Republican in politics, although he does not take an active part in political matters. He has never been an office-seeker, but on the contrary has declined political perferment when tendered by his friends."
• Butler County Historical Society: "The mission of the Butler County Historical Society is to collect, preserve and interpret the documents, artifacts, and historical sites of Butler County's rich heritage for the educational benefit of the public."
• History of Butler County, Pennsylvania. With illustrations and biographical sketches of some of its prominent men and pioneers, by Waterman, Watkins & Co., Chicago, publishers, 1883. "Isaac CURRY, a native of Ireland, was an early settler near Unionville. His children — James C., Robert, David, Isaac, Barbara, Julia Ann, Nancy and Elizabeth — are all dead except Barbara (MCMICHAEL) and Robert. The latter lived many years on the old homestead; then moved to the West." (Sarah Curry-Miller is not mentioned.)
• History of Butler County, Pennsylvania, by R. C. Brown Co., Publishers, 1895. p. 1235: "JAMES C. CURRY, eldest son of Isaac CURRY, was born in Centre township, Butler county, December 23, 1804. His father was a native of Ireland, and settled near Unionville at an early date, where he reared the following children: James C.; Robert; David; Isaac; Barbara; Julia Ann; Nancy, and Elizabeth. The subject of this sketch was reared in his native township, and received a good common school education, which he afterwards utilized in teaching school. On February 24, 1825, he married Martha EDGAR, a daughter of John EDGAR, of Franklin township, to which union were born six children, viz.: John E.; Isaiah D., who died in the Union army, at Baltimore, April 15, 1865; Sarah A., wife of Harvey H. SMITH, of Butler county; Angeline, wife of Alexander DUGGINS, of Missouri; Martha A., wife of William GOULD, of this county, and Amanda M., deceased. Mr. CURRY removed to Greenville, Mercer county, some years after his marriage, but returned to Butler county in 1850, and settled at Ralston's mill. He afterwards went to Indiana, and located at Elizabeth, Harrison county, resided there some years and then moved to Missouri, where he died. His wife died at Elizabeth, Indiana. Mr. CURRY served in an Indiana regiment during the Rebellion... JOHN E. CURRY was born in Franklin township, Butler county, May 18, 1827, eldest child of James C. and Martha CURRY. He learned the chairmaker's and painter's trades, and in the fall of 1850 located at Harrisville. In 1853 he purchased a business property, which was twice burned, being completely [p. 1236] destroyed in March, 1890. He immediately erected his present store building and residence, where he carries on the grocery, confectionery and notion business. On December 31, 1850, he married Maria E. McNAIR, a daughter of Thomas McNAIR, of Butler. He and wife are members of the United Presbyterian church, in which he fills the office of treasurer. In politics, Mr. CURRY is an ardent Democrat, was postmaster of Harrisville for eight years under Pierce and Buchanan, has served in the borough council, and also as treasurer for several years."

GENEALOGY

JAMES CAMPBELL MILLER (b. 1826) married LUVINA BRIGHT (b. 1828) and begat...

MARY MELISSA MILLER (1851 - 1886), who married JOHN PRITCHARD (1832 - 1897) and begat...

WILLIAM PRITCHARD (1880 - 1958), who married NELLE WINTERS (1885 - 1974) and begat...

DOROTHY PRITCHARD (b. 1918), who married ERWIN WENK (1910 - 1982) and begat...

MARTHA WENK (b. 1940), who married CARLETON MARCHANT HAUSE, JR. (b. 1939) and begat...

JEFF (who married LORI ANN DOTSON), KATHY (who married HAL LARSEN), ERIC (who married MARY MOONSAMMY), and MICHELE HAUSE (who married JOHN SCOTT HOUSTON).