Wesley A. Miller

Wesley A. Miller was born on August 28, 1838, in Beaverdam, PA, according to his gravestone record.

Military Pension Records

Wesley lived in Lamont, Michigan, for about two years before he moved to Ohio where he lived for two years in Prairie Depot, Ohio, until he enlisted in the Ohio Infantry.

Wesley A. Miller enlisted in Co. F, 49th Ohio Infantry, on August 16, 1861, at Fremont, Ohio, and was discharged on February 25, 1865, at Cincinnati, Ohio. He had previously enlisted in Co. C, 15th Ohio, but was taken sick with measles before he was mustered in and was not mustered in that regiment. After Wesley was discharged, he moved to Lamont and two years later he moved to Illinois where he lived for two years before moving back to Lamont. Wesley married Elizabeth A. Mowry on February 10, 1867, in Woodstock, Illinois. Elizabeth was born May 16, 1843, at Celina, Ohio, according to her gravestone record.

Many people testified concerning Wesley Miller’s medical condition to enable Wesley to receive a government pension for his service during the Civil War.

John W. Hopkins, M. D., testified that he treated Wesley Miller for inflammation of the bladder and painful and bloody urination. Wesley also showed symptoms of scurvy. His teeth were poor and he had bad breath. Dr. Hopkins also stated that he gave Wesley a prescription for chronic diarrhea. Wesley told the doctor of his great hardships while in prison during the war and the doctor agreed that his disabilities had their origin in prison. Wesley stated that he thought his bladder condition was due to drinking swampy water while in prison and that his stomach troubles were due to starvation.

On March 21, 1891, Oscar Robinson stated that he knew Wesley very well and that his wife was Wesley’s cousin. His wife, now deceased, took care of Wesley in 1865 after he came home to Lamont for two years after the war and before he left to live in Illinois for two years. Cyrus Miller, uncle of Wesley, stated that although he was not a physician, he had studied medicine some and also practiced medicine some and had treated his nephew.

Wesley Miller was captured between Chickamauga and Atlanta by Wheeler’s Cavalry and sent to Andersonville Prison for two months. William Rollins, a fellow prisoner in Andersonville Prison, stated that he knew Wesley Miller intimately while in prison and that he suffered from scurvy, a sore mouth, swollen, bleeding gums, loose teeth, partial deafness in both ears, and sore eyes. He also complained about his bowels and his waterworks. He was in terrible condition in every way and William Rollins thought that Wesley could not live. After Wesley A. Miller escaped from prison and was brought back, the rebels were very severe with him. He was later sent to the prison at Florence, South Carolina, and from there was sent to Charleston, South Carolina, where he was exchanged and sent to the hospital at Annapolis. While Wesley was in the hospital for

two months, he began to gain strength and his eyes healed somewhat. He was sent home to Cincinnati, Ohio, to be discharged.

After his discharge from the army, Wesley Miller visited some of his relatives who later testified concerning his medical condition. He visited his sister-in-law, now Mrs. Clara Green, in Concord Station, PA. He then went to visit his uncle, Philander Miller, and

Rufus Miller in Beaverdam, PA. He stopped to visit his brother-in-law, Dyal Fitch, a bookkeeper in Eric, PA, and his cousin, James Jackman, a farmer at Crystal Lake, McHenry County, IL, where Wesley worked on a farm, drove a team and lived by Orsemus Beardsley, whose wife was his cousin. He lived in Illinois until February 1867 when he married and moved back to Lamont. He also visited his brother-in-law, John Colegrave, in Wayland, Allegan, MI.

Death and Burial Records of Wesley A. Miller

Wesley A. Miller died on June 17, 1897. His gravestone records and his military pension records list place of death as Celina Ohio. Ottawa County death records list place of death as Polkton Township, Ottawa County MI, cause of death, bladder catarrh, age 58-8-11, son of Watson Miller and Ann. Wesley Miller is buried in Maplewood Cemetery, Lamont, Michigan.

Family records listed on gravestone include children:

Walter E., born November 25, 1868
Benjamin W., born September 10, 1872
Josephine J., born August 4, 1875
Ernest D., born September 13, 1877
Infant son, born September 12, 1879
James R., born January 4, 1882
William H., born July 14, 1885

1880 U. S Federal Census, Tallmadge, MI

Wesley A. Miller, age about 42, born PA, parents born PA
Elizabeth A. Miller age about 36, born Ohio, parents born NY
Walter Miller, age about 11, born MI
Ernest Miller, age about 2, born MI

Elizabeth A. Miller died March 22, 1914, at the Soldiers’ Home in Grand Rapids, MI,
(according to pension records. She is buried in Maplewood Cemetery, Lamont, MI.)

 


Transcribed and photo by Joan Van Spronsen
Created: 5 April 2011