Transcribed from A Standard History of Kansas and Kansans, written and compiled by William E. Connelley, Chicago : Lewis, 1918. 5 v. (lvi, 2731 p., [228] leaves of plates) : ill., maps (some fold.), ports. ; 27 cm.

Cleveland D. Miller

CLEVELAND D. MILLER is one of the progressive and substantial younger farmers of Saline County. His home is in Smolan Township, and as the owner of 560 acres of land, devoted to alfalfa and other staple crops, he stands in the forefront of Saline County agriculturists. His farm has all the improvements, and he has naturally allied himself with every movement for the betterment of his home community.

He was born in the same locality where he now resides April 14, 1886. His parents were Valentine W. and Sarah (Barley) Miller. Valentine Miller was born in 1836 at Limestone, Tennessee, and has spent all his life as a farmer, and a very successful one at that. In 1875 he came to Kansas, acquiring some raw land in Saline County in Smolan Township. He did his part as an early settler, converted a large acreage from a raw prairie to fertile farms, and now has large quantities of valuable land and improved homes in different parts of Saline and Dickinson counties, where he is one of the large tax payers on real estate. After he retired from farming in 1909 he moved to National City, California, where he still resides. His wife died in 1909. There were eleven children in the family, two of the sons dying in infancy, and the others being mentioned as follows: Oscar, now a resident of Covina, California; Carlton W. of LaCrosse, Kansas; Roberta, wife of Howard Bert, of Ontario, California; Della, wife of Dr. D. J. Morris, of San Jose, California; Laura, wife of E. E. Emery of Chico, California; Cleveland D.; Florence, wife of Albert E. Bunger, a farmer in Saline County; Grace, wife of Floyd E. Edwards, a farmer and school teacher in Saline County; and Forrest, a Saline County farmer.

Cleveland D. Miller received his early training in the public schools of Saline County. He was reared on a farm and has made farming his occupation. However, for several years he was associated with his father in the grain and mercantile business at Mentor. His father during that time was postmaster of the Village of Mentor.

On February 27, 1909, at Mentor, Kansas, Mr. Miller married Miss Georgiana Tinkler, who was born in Saline County January 2, 1890, a daughter of W. O. and Julia (Lighter) Tinkler, who were early settlers in that part of Kansas. Mrs. Miller was educated in the Saline County schools and also in the Kansas Wesleyan Business College. Mr. and Mrs. Miller are the parents of two children: Bernice, born June 27, 1912; and Cleve Delbert, born May 22, 1916.

A Standard History of Kansas and Kansans, written & compiled by William E. Connelley, 1918, transcribed by Brad Biddle, student from USD 508, Baxter Springs Middle School, Baxter Springs, Kansas, Octber 21, 1999. Modified September 2006.