Thomas N. MILLER
Portrait and Biographical Record of Winnebago and Boone Counties, IL.   Chicago: Biographical Publishing Co., 1892, pp 500-503

Thomas N. Miller, who is engaged in the practice of medicine in Rockford, was born in Oneida County, NY, on 24 Aug 1849, and is descended from the Pilgrim Fathers.  His grandfather, Eliakim MILLER, was born in NY, of MA parentage.  Representatives of the family served in the Revolutionary War, and the eldest son of Eliakim was a soldier of the War of 1812.  The grandfather spent his entire life as a farmer, and died in Madison County, NY, when about 80 years of age.  His wife also reached an advanced age.   The older members of the MILLER family were members of the Congregational Church, and its male representatives were all Whigs.

Amos MILLER, father of our subject, was born in Madison County, NY, and in an early day emigrated to IL, settling upon an unbroken farm of 200 acres in Winnebago County.   There he engaged in agricultural pursuits until his death, which occurred in 1873.   His wife bore the maiden name of Elizabeth TYGGERT.  She too was a native of Madison County, and proved a faithful helpmate to her husband, her efforts being largely instrumental in securing the success which he achieved.  Mrs. MILLER is stil living on the old homestead in Winnebago Township, at the age of 83 years, and is yet remarkably well preserved.  With the Congregational Church she holds membership and to that society Mr. MILLER also belonged.  Her family is noted for longevity.  Her father, David TYGGERT, a soldier of the Revolutionary War, died in Madison County, NY, at the age of 92 years, and his wife was 93 years of age at the time of her death.

Our subject is one of a family of seven sons and one daughter, and with the exception of one son and the daughter, all are yet living and are married.  Three sons are famers of Winnebago Township; Josiah is an attorney of Springfield [Greene County], MO; and Richard is a Congregational clergyman of Milton [Rock County], WI.

Dr. MILLER was only five years of age when his family came to the West, and upon his father's farm in Winnebago Township the days of his boyhood and youth were passed.   He entered Beloit College, from which he was graduated with the class of 1873, after which he returned to this farm, remaining at home for a few years.  At length he determined to make the practice of medicine his life work, and became a student under Dr. Clinton HELM.  Later he entered the Chicago Medical College, from which he was graduated in the class of 1880.  He at once established practice in Winnebago , and after ten years came to Rockford, where he has since resided.  He is now enjoying a good practice, which is constantly increasing, and already he has a reputation of which an older practitioner might well be proud.

The doctor was joined in wedlock in this county with Miss Arvilla A. LANE, who was born in WI on 26 Feb 1852, and is a daughter of William H. and Emily N. (WEARE) LANE.  Her parents were natives of ME, and after their marriage came to the West, locating in [p 503] WI, whence they removed to Winnebago County in 1855, locating on an unbroken tract of land in Winnebago Township.  It is now a highly improved farm, owing to the untiring efforts of Mr. LANE, who still resides there at the age of 70 years.  His wife died in 1875, when past the age of 50 years.  Both were members of the Congregational Church.  Mrs. MILLER was reared under the parental roof, was graduated from the Winnebago High School, and afterward engaged as a teacher.  She is a cultured and intelligent lady, and has many friends throughout this community.

Three children graced the union of the doctor and his wife, but Mary E. died at the age of two and a half years.  The living are Edith M. and Bertha A.  With the First Presbyterian Church the parents hold membership.  The doctor is a stawart supporter of the Prohibition party, and is a warm friend  to all enterprises calculated to promote the moral and educational interests of the city.  He is recognized as a valued citizen as well as a skilled physician, and his aid is never withheld from anything calculated to promote the general welfare of his adopted county.

Submitted by Cathy Kubly.