Miles - William James
Source: History of Montgomery County, Indiana (Indianapolis; AW Bowen,
1913) p 1219
The successful business and public career of William James
MILES, retired farmer of New Market, Montgomery County, has been
largely due to his inborn sturdiness and energy a legacy from
Kentucky ancestry, and the excellent schooling of his boyhood
days on the home farm where none who fear hard toil can ever succeed. He proved
himself to be a scientific agriculturist, keeping abreast of the
times in all matters pertaining to his calling, and by judicious
cultivation succeeded in obtaining the largest results from the
labor expended, and he acquired a comfortable competency, ranking
with the well-to-do farmers of this part of the county. Devoting
himself assiduously to his business interests, he has, however,
found time to take part in public affairs, and has filled most
acceptably positions of trust and responsibility. He is public
spirited and ever ready and willing to encourage or aid every
good and laudable enterprise. He comes of sturdy and wholesome
ancestry, and inherits in a marked degree many of the sterling
attributed for which they were noted.
Mr. Miles was born in Brown
Township., Montgomery County, on April 2, 1848. He is a son of Franklin
& Rebecca (DAVIS) Miles, both natives of Kentucky, the father's
birth occurring on October 7, 1825, and he died Oct 1853, while
still a young man; the mother was born March 5, 1825 and passed
away on May 2, 1855 when also young. Franklin Miles devoted his
life to farming. He moved to Iowa a few years prior to his death.
Five children constituted his family, all now deceased but the
subject of this sketch, namely: John, born January 4, 1847; William
James of this review; Jefferson M, born November 22, 1849; Scott, born April 7, 1851; Thomas F born December 1852 died 1875. William J.
Miles grew up on the farm, and he received a common school
education, later attending the seminary at Ladoga, then began
teaching, which occupation he followed several years with
success.
He engaged in general farming and stock raising from
1867 to the fall of 1908, when he removed to New Market, having
been elected to the office of county commissioner, which position
he held for two terms or six years, from 1905 to 1911, inclusive.
He was also justice of the peace for a period of 16 years and was
supervisor for some time. As a public servant he gave the utmost
satisfaction, being an unbiased, honest and conscientious
gentleman, and he won the hearty approval for all concerned. Mr.
Miles was married on February 28, 1869 to Mary EASLEY, daughter of
J.W. and Lucinda J. (VANCLEVE) Easley, early settlers of this
county. Daniel Easley, grandfather of Mrs. Miles, was one of the
earliest pioneers in this locality. One child was born to the
union of our subject and wife, Alice, born March 21, 1870 died
November 25, 1882. The wife and mother passed away on August 27,
1910 at the age of 64 years, her birth having occurred on March
6, 1847. Politically, Mr. Miles is a republican and has been
influential in local party affairs. Religiously, he belongs to
the Baptist church, and has been a member of the Freedom church
for 49 years, served as clerk 35 years, was superintendent of the
Sunday school for 30 years and has served as a deacon for nearly
40 years. - typed by kbz