John Miller was born in Johnson County, Ind., April 8, 1840, and is the son of Abraham and Catherine (Lorts) Miller. Abraham Miller was born in Scott County, Va., February 13, 1805, and died in this county December 4, 1887. He was the son of John Miller, who was a native of Germany, and early emigrated to Virginia. He is the father of the following children: Jacob, Isaac, Adam, Abraham, David, Philip, Daniel, John, Elizabeth, Mary and Sarah. Abraham was reared in Scott County, Va. On reaching his majority, he went to Blount County, East Tennessee, and here he was married July 15, 1827, wedding Annie Catharine Lorts, a native of Blount County, Tenn., born February 3, 1810, who was of German lineage. Immediately after the above marriage was consummated, Mr. and Mrs. Miller set out for the west, and March 15, 1828, located in the vicinity of Columbus, Bartholomew County, Ind. Shortly afterward he repaired to Shelby County, where he remained but one year; and in 1834, removed to Johnson County, and continued in this county up to his death. By profession, Abraham Miller was a minister of the Gospel, in the Evangelical Lutheran Church, of the Indiana Synod. He began the preaching of the Gospel at the age of eighteen years. August 18, 1835, he was ordained as a minister proper of his church, and until the year 1864, he continued to be active in his chosen profession, and at this date, June 12, 1864, his wife was called away in death, and his domestic relations so materially changed, he suspended his profession, and the remainder of his life was spent somewhat in reserve, preaching only occasionally. In early life, previous to becoming ordained to the ministry, he taught school. By occupation he was a farmer, in which he was practical and successful. He was an early settler of Johnson County, and as the county at the time of his coming was but little developed, he may be termed one of its pioneers. He lived in the county for a period of fifty-three years, and this state, sixty years. He was well-known and universally respected by all. His marriage with Catherine Lorts resulted in the birth of the following children: Elizabeth, David H., Emmaline, Mary B., Martin L., John, William, Abraham and Annie C. John was reared on a farm, and received a common school education, and was attending school when the Civil War broke out. He left school, and July 28, 1861, enlisted in Company E, Twenty-sixth Indiana Volunteer Infantry, as a private. In this company Mr. Miller served for a term of three years, and in 1864 was discharged, but immediately re-enlisted as a veteran of the same company. In February, 1866, he was discharged as second lieutenant. Among the engagements in which he participated, were: Siege of Vicksburg, Port Hudson, siege of Mobile, and other engagements in the opening of the Mississippi River. After the closing of the war he returned to his native county, and, April 12, 1866, was united in marriage with Theresa C. Reynolds, daughter of Berrien Reynolds, whose life sketch appears elsewhere. Mrs. Miller was born in Johnson County, Ind., October 2, 1847. Soon after his marriage, Mr. Miller located in Tipton County, Ind., and there continued for five years, and then returned to Johnson County, and has since been actively engaged in farming. Mr. and Mrs. Miller are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church. He is a member of the G. A. R. lodge at Waverly.