This gentleman, who may be counted among our wide-awake physicians, was born August 16, 1847, in Jefferson County, ILL., son of John W. MILLER, a native of Ohio, where he was a carpenter. He is now in the furniture business in Belle Rive, and his father, John J. Miller, a farmer and miller by occupation.

The mother of our subject, Harriet N. DODRIDGE) MILLER, was a native of Ohio, and daughter of Enoch and Elizabeth (MILLER) DODRIDGE. He a native of Virginia, a saddler, and she a native of Ohio, and born 1820, in Lawrence County, and died January 7, 1880. She was the mother of nine children, of whom three are now living -- John E., Dr. Merritte S. and Edward, our subject.

Dr. Miller received his primary education in his native county. He worked at the carpenter's trade three years, and then kept a drug store in partnership with his brother, DR.MERRITTE MILLER, in Mt. Vernon. At the end of two years, they sold out to Ed SHEPHARD, and both went to Kansas, where they remained about two years.

In 1871, he returned to Jefferson County, where he read medicine with DR. EATON, and the following year entered the College of Physicians and Surgeons at Keokuk, Iowa, graduating in February, 1878, after which he returned to Belle Rive, where he commenced the practice of his noble profession. He is yet following it, enjoying the esteem and confidence of the people.

He was joined in matrimony, August 8, 1876, in Opdyke, to Miss Anna J. BARBEE, born June 17, 1858, in this county, daughter of William and America (HARSHBERGER) BARBEE. She is the mother of two children -- Walter F., deceased, and Lizzie A., born July 24, 1878.

Dr. MILLER is an active member of the Masonic fraternity, Belle Rive Lodge, No. 696, also a member of the O.I H. He is identified with the Republican party.

SOURCE: "The History of Jefferson County"
by Wm. Henry Perrin, 1883

Submitted by Carol Cicotte
Jan 22, 1998