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Born 1847 in Williamson Co. Illinois in then the town of Sulphur Springs now called Creal Springs to the parents of
William H. Miller Sr. (born abt 1826 in Tn.) And Zena Jane Miller (born abt 1823 in Tn.) William was a well liked lad and as strong a man the county had to offer. His father died young (abt 1855) So William went to work for area farmers to earn money to help his mother and younger brother James. His mother remarried in 1857 to James Taylor. Things went well for the family until the rebellion broke out between the states. James enlisted on Oct. 26, 1861 and on Feb. 17, 1862 was mustered into the 60th US IL INF A Co. These were hard times for the family, as William and James had to work for area farmers to help their mother, as it was for most families at that time when the head of the household had gone off to war. The rebellion was into its 3rdyear now when James came home on furlough. He had grown fond of Jane’s boys and gave William his permission to enlist into his regiment. At the age of 17 William and his father in law James( as stepfathers were called then ) went to Marion to enlist on March 31, 1864. On April 17, 1864 he was mustered into James regiment at Centralia, Illinois under the command of Joseph Runyon. From there passed through Louisville, Ky then onto Chattanooga, Tn and marched from there to Ringgold, Ga. There was little or no Training for new volunteer recruits at that time And was thrust into battle with only his uniform and rifle. When he entered Ringgold, Ga on his way to his regiment he was now sick with the measles that had settled in his lungs and sent back to Chattanooga to a tent hospital and stayed there for a month. He was then sent to a convalescent camp. An officer came to the camp and put William in charge of a detail of seven men to guard a train of cars which ran from Chattanooga to Rome, Ga. When the train neared Rome it stalled for lack of power to pull a grade. They disconnected part of the cars so the engine could make the grade with a few of the cars while William and three other guards stayed with the remaining cars. After the engine delivered the cars in Rome it returned for the rest of the cars. Coming down the grade the engine was unable to stop and ran into the cars with William and the other guards on top. This collision threw William and the others from the top of the cars killing one and injuring the others. William and the others were taken to Rome on the train for treatment. William was treated for a dislocated right elbow and an injured back. He retuned to his regiment only to be sent to Division Hospital near Big Shanty. William never made a full recovery and never went back on full duty. On July 31, 1865 William was discharged at Louisville, Ky. After being mustered out William headed back home He came across a store and behind it a wooded area he needed to go thru. Upon making a purchase and inquiring if he would be able to get thru the woods before nightfall he was told it was if he hurried. After paying for his purchase he noticed three men watching him pay for it with his muster out pay. William left the store and started thru the woods. After a while he came across the three would be robbers. When a silver fox appeared. He then took out his pistol and shot it. They saw what he could do and told him what a good marksman he was. He said “yes I am” and they left. This story was told to me by William’s grandson Marvin Miller. After arriving home William found that he could only make half a haul for a days work. His lungs now bleed causing a chronic cough and his elbow that was never set properly troubled him greatly. His back never healed and also caused him great pain. To make things worse he now came down with chronic diarrhea with blood in his stool. He went to many doctors with little help. He now had to make a decision, do I fight this or live with it. He chose the latter and went on with the life he had. In the winter of 1872 William married Josephine Ann Thompson on Jan 14 and she bared him six (6) children: Sarah M., born April 14, 1878. William Arthur, born Aug. 25, 1881. Martha Ann, born Sept. 14, 1885. John Henry, born Oct. 27, 1886. Elmer L., born May 19, 1889. Charles Walter, born Sept. 4, 1894 After nearly twenty (20) years sense he was Mustered out William decided he needed help. Rheumatism had settled in his body causing him great pain and in 1883 he applied for a disability pension. This process took many months with depositions from many doctors, friends, and family that knew and treated him. He finely received six (6) dollars a month. In 1889 William (who’s health had deteriorated) decided to move his family to Swinton, Stoddard, Missouri where they had friends. On a cold and wintrily day on Feb. 19, 1902 William passed away. He is now buried at Liberty Hill Cemetery west of Advance, Missouri with only a military headstone to mark his grave, With no dates of birth or death only the company he served with in the Civil War. The 60th Illinois inf, Co A. Josephine lived a long life, and in her latter years lived with her son Charles who took care of her until her death on March 13, 1940 at the age of 88 in Brownwood, Missouri. She now lays at rest next to her husband William. Static Page: Left in Place for Reference MOGenWeb: 22 August 2025 |