John M. Miller was born in Greenbrier county, West Virginia, May 31, 1834. His parents, Robert and Rachel Miller, both natives of Virginia, when he was six years old moved to this county, where he was reared and educated in the common schools. In 1859 he crossed the plains to California, came back the same year and crossed again in 1860 and returned in time to serve one year in the Enrolled State Militia during the war. He is a farmer by profession.
Mr. Miller was united in marriage, in October, 1863, to Miss Elizabeth C. Foster, who was born April 5, 1838, and died November 7, 1877. They had by this marriage six children: Mary B., born August 19, 1864; John Y., born March 24, 1866; May, born May 2, 1869; Effie, born December 22, 1871; Robert, born January 4, 1875; and Maud, born January 17, 1877. February 4, 1879, he married Miss Mary A. Goodbar, who was born .January 9, 1841, in Virginia. They have one child, Joseph, born January 7, 1880.