MILLER, Eli - Fountain County INGenWeb Project

HILLSBORO – Eli Miller, oldest resident in the Hillsboro area, died Monday afternoon at his home about a mile south of here. He was 97. Mr. Miller was born Nov. 19, 1862, near Columbia City, a son of Solomon and Amanda Anspaugh Miller. He was one of 17 children and was reared on a farm near Columbia City. He was married June 21, 1890 to Emma Goodrich. She died Dec. 30, 1944. In his early life, Mr. Miller was a barber in Ottumwa, Iowa, and later worked for the Burlington Railroad as a fireman. He returned to Indiana in 1901 and he and his wife moved to a small farm near here about 20 years ago. He was a bicycle enthusiast and once qualitied for the Century Club by riding 100 miles on a bicycle in one day. His friends said that Mr. Miller had expressed the desire to ride in an airplane on his 100th birthday. He was a proficient carpenter and built his own workshop at the age of 83. Surviving are a daughter, Mrs. Cora Crane, wife of Dr. George W. Crane of Chicago and Hillsboro; a son, Lee Miller of Dallas; 11 grandchildren and three great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by a son, Jay Miller, 11 sisters and five brothers. Funeral services will be conducted at 2 p.m. Thursday at Crumley Funeral Home here with Rev. Ronald Carlson, pastor of the Methodist Church, in charge. Interment will be in Rose Hill Cemetery. Friends may pay their respects at the funeral home after 4 p.m. Wednesday. – jlr