Adam Miller, retired blacksmith, and one of the pioneer settlers of Stephenson county, is a native of Hesse Darmstadt, Germany, where he was born March 13, 1826. His parents, Ludwig and Barbara (Klein) Miller, both of the same country in Germany, came to America in 1851 with his entire family and located in Freeport, where he worked at the blacksmith’s trade until his death about 1885. His wife died at the age of 66 years. They had six children, as follows: Adam, Catherine, widow of Joseph Nix, resides in Ridott Township, Stephenson county; Charlie, who died in 1896, was a farmer in Iowa; Barbara, wife of John Dilly, a farmer, lives in Ridott Township; and two others who died in infancy. They were all educated in the common schools.
Adam Miller learned the blacksmith’s trade which he followed until the age of fifty years when he retired from active business. In June 1854, he was united in marriage to Miss Catherine Dilly, a native of Germany, born Jan. 8, 1830. She was the daughter of Johan and Dortha (Schmidt) Dilly, both of Germany, who emigrated to this country Oct. 13, 1853, and settled on a farm in Ridott township, Stephenson county, where they both died aged 86 and 88 years respectively.
Mrs. Miller died Sept. 25, 1897. She was the mother of eight children, five of whom died in infancy. The three still living are: Augusta is the widow of William Burkhart and resides on N. Galena Ave., Freeport, with an adopted daughter, having no children of her own; Amelia, makes her home with her father; and Adam J. married Catherine Sullivan of Ottawa, Ill., and is a druggist in Chicago. He has one child, Catherine D.
Mr. Miller is the owner of his residence, 217 Douglas Ave., and also the property at 221 Douglas Ave., a house on Walnut St. and 120 acres of good farming land in Ridott township. He is a self-made man, as all he now owns he has earned by his own hard labor.
In politics Mr. Miller is a democrat, but has never held office not being an office seeker. He is a member of Evergreen lodge, F. and A. M. of Freeport, and the Freeport (German) lodge, I. O. O. F. of Freeport. His two daughters are members of the Eastern Star.