The Stark County Democrat. [volume] (Canton, Ohio) 1833-1912, 1880-09-09
SECOND ANNUAL REUNION
OF THE MILLER FAMILY NEAR CAIRO, o.,


Thursday August 26th, Three Hundred and 7tDenty
sa Members of this Large Family Were
Present
Time in his rapid flight brings forth incon
ceivabe changes But a short time ago many
whose heads are now silVared over, betokening
age, and others after ripe old age, have passed
over the river were in the Vigor OF manhood
and wOmanhOod those who are now In the
prime Of lie were scarcely children, while the
young men and women of to-day were unknown
to the world. What wonderful changes have
been wrought since 1912, when Abram Miller, the
isther of this now numerous family, emigrated
with his little household from Huntington Co.,
Pa, to the then far West. aid staked his covered
wagon, (which was the families only habitation
for weeks, in the then wilderness six miles
north Of Canton, which at that time was the only
town IN the county and numbered but twelve
houses The first cabin erected by Mr. Miller
was near the old spring on the farm owned by
the late Jacob II. Bair, and where his son Frank
now resides one mile west of the village OF Cairo,
in Plain township.
Father Miller was twice married. The first
time to Elizabeth Clapper, which union was
blessed with eight children; and his second
wife, Elizabeth Lowery, had one child, who is
the only surviving member of this family OF nine
children, aud at the advanced age of 81, rode in
a carriage from Mogsdore, Summit county, to
the home of her childhood, to enjoy the second
reunion Of this extensive family.
or the nine original children, four boys and
FIVE girls, all were married and raised large fam
lilies.
At the initial reunion Of this extensive family
which was held at Meyers Lake last September
It was decided to hold the second meeting at the
old, and to many, hallowed spot-the first home
of the progenitors Of this extraordinary family
and last Thursday was the day set.
By special request Ye Editor and wife accom-.
panied the Fulton branch Of this vast family
and we are ready to testify that 1t is good to be
one OF the Miller family, II only for day. After
most delightful drive Of 1S miles, we reached
the old homestead and we're utterly astonished
at the vast multitude alresdy congregsted, and
still they were coming from every direction. 1t
had more the appearance Of township picnic
than family reunion. Every available spot
about the old buildings, upon which Time has
marked his footsteps with ruin, was occupied by
people, horses and vehicles They continued to
come until after IL O'clock Mr.. Lewis Miller
wife and eight children Of Akron being the last
and swelling the sum total to 326. table meas.
uring over 200 feet In length, had been built un.
der the fruit trees, over the hallowed spot where
stood the first cabin, aud scar by the memorable
old spriLg, which Is oyerShadOWed by large
willow tree, the product Of a small twig, placed
! there by Rev. Abram Miller Of Leetona SO gears
ago, who was then a resident of the old home
and is o great grandchild Of the first settler.
This large family was ordered to find places
around the extensive table, which was weighed
down with all the delicacies OF the season. A
beautiful song, "The Dear Oid Home" WIS sung
by select few followed by fervent and ap
propriate prayer by Rev. B. F Bell Of this place.
The next hour was spent in feRsting and such
dinner To say 1t was good, does not half ex.
press It, To say there was enough for all present
is not sufficient, 1t was superb, and Thousand
people would have scarcely exhausted the srp
ply.
On an old porch, at a small table, sat seven
aged persons, to whom this gathering and the old
home is especially interesting, having frequently
met here in days of yore. The party Consisted OF
Christian Crider, aged So; Joseph Bishop aged ST.
David Myers &C, Mrs. Sarah Snyder, n; Eliza
beth Grubb, 81 Christela FOuse, so; Mrs. R. Pom
tins, "a.
Mrs. Miller, aged 75 mother of c. Aultmsn Of
Canton, and second wife of John Miller, father
of Lewis Miller Of Akron, was present, and is
quite strong and young looking for person OF
her age,
An hour after dinner was very pleasantly
spent In listening to statistical report Of the de.
scendants of the nine original children OF this
now extensive family, from which we gathered
the following:
The Oldest, Susan Miller wife of Abrsm Liant.
ger; children 9, grandchildren 42, great grand.
children T.
Catherine, wife Of Philip Hanney; children 9,
grandchildren 60, great grandchildren 5O mar
ried into the family 80, died SO, now living l16,
total 149
John Miller, the third child, children 10 grand
children 26 great grandchildren Q.
Abram Miller, fourth child; children 10, grand.
children 60, great grandchildren Sc, still living
1O7.
ElllbDetu WIG vi JuCOu rOuscI NulluIGu o.
grandchildren 40, great grandchildren 81, still
living S3
Mary, wife Of Christopher Hanney; children II,
grandchildren 16 great grandchildren "a, now
living 49,
Henrys family; children 10, grandchildren 80,
great grandchildren g. died l6, living 13O.
Lewis family; children 7, grandchildren 7,
great gran lchildren 4.
Chrstena wife of John Fouse; children 4,
grandchildren 16, great grandchildren Il, by
marriage 8, died 9, living 94
Before separating the following beautiful song
for the occasion was sung by choir of seven ex
cellent voices; TT was written for the occasion
by regue as was "The Dear Old Home"- Ed.
s. Co. Dem
GOOD BYE AND MAY WE MEET AGAIN
Good bye, kind friends and relatives
May this not be the last
Reunion of our hearts snd hands,
Revlvlng of the Past
Good bye, and may we meet again!
Tho some are In llfe's twilight,
And locks are white and gray;
May God in mercy spare them
Through many happy day!
Good bye, to re-unite againl
And Youth, on wings Of gladness,
Hopes bright, and promise high;
May no dark cloud obtruding
Bring disappointment Nigh
Good bye, to reunIte agalnl
But at our next reunion,
Should vacant chairs appear,
Well think the dear departed
Are seated with US hcrel
Good bye, and may we meet again
The entire occasion was one Of the greatest en-
joyment, and is fraught with the most pleasant
recoleCtions to all who were there.
Many Of the Wagners, sorrlcks, Grubbs and
Myers Of Summit county, are related to the al.
ready large Mill er family by marriage, II all the
connections Of this family, either by consanguin.
| ity or marriage were living TODAY Reckoning