The Stark County Democrat. [volume] (Canton, Ohio) 1833-1912, 1896-10-29
HE WAS A MAN.
DEATH CLAIMS A RESPECTED
CANTON CITIZEN.
W. X. Miller Dies at HE Home-His
tory of the Life of Man who Was
Useful TO the Community and
the World.

Miller solved the mystery Of mysteries
and passed PEACEFULLY into the realms Of
shads veiled from all human know ledge.
Ever since the night of the sad blow that
caused him to reel and stagger while sit.
ting in his accustomed place in the First
NJ. e. church, the citizens of Canton who
knew him so we'll, were awaiting with
anxiety to hear some favorable news
from the bedside OF their stricken friend
and neighbor. But as the hours wore on,
the condition of the patient became more
serious and finally like grand old oak
that has stood, dauntless and unbent, by
the siege of years, be bowed his head In
stern obedience to the will Of the Most
High and passed quietly and with digni-
fed unreluctance to the Prander and
nobler sphere beoynd. His devoted wife
and sons were with him and watched,
with tear-flled eyes, each diminishing
respiration and each changing shade that
spread the mantle.o of relentless death, over
their FALLEN sire, and the white-haired
physician that for many years nursed
their aches and ills, was with them now
In their greatest bereavement, but his
skill amounted to nothing against the
mandates Of the Great Physician, and he
could but join with them in their sorrow
Mr.. Miller was stricken with apoplexy
while attending the reception given by
the mem bers of the First NJ e. church
to DR.. Manchester, last Monday evening.
Mr.. Miller left his home that evening In
his usual good health. He had all his
arrangements made for an eastern busl-
ness trip, and only stayed in Canton to
preside at this meeting. In the midst of
his duties as chairman the stroke came.
He was taken home and never rallied.
He gradually grew weaker and despite
the best Of medical attention his hold on
life slipped gradually away. His death
is a severe blow to the city.
W. K. Miller was native Of Sandy
Vile, Tuscarawas county, Ohio. He was
born March 10, 1929. He received a
common school education, and early in
life manifested desire for mechanical
pursuits. At the age of fifteen, he went
to Massillon, and apprentioed TO the
machinist trade with the firm of @. NJ.
Russell & Co., and continued with them
for eight years, the latter five years as
journeyman, after whi oh he came to
Canton, and moved the machinery of
Ball, Aultman & Co. from Greentown to
Cantcn, and assisted in setting up the
same, when, owing to failing health, he
retired from active work at his trade,
and devoted himself to the study Of
mechanics and its branches, and brought
out moving machine, the first one
being built by Russell & Co., In 1856,
which was the first perfect two.wheel
reaper on which the flexible reel was seen.
Mr.. Miller assisted in the introduction
of his machine until 1861, when he was
appointed postmaster of Canton under
Lincoln, which office he resigned in 1864
and became a partner with Russell g. Co.,
of Massilllon, of which business he
became superintendent, and continued
until 1870, when he became the vice.
president and superintendent Of the
business conducted by @. Russell 81 Co.,
who built the present works at Canton
under Mr.. Miller's supervision. In
January, 1877, the company discontinued
business and was reorganized and known
as the Peerless Reaper Company, of which
Mr.. Miller was superintendent. BY i'm
provements, from time to time, Mr..
Miller had the satisfaction of seeing his
machine at the head of the list, and in
that fact worthy result to the long
years of patient study and labor which
he had devoted to that end. Septem ber
12, 1850, he married Miss Sarah, daughter
OF Samuel Burwell, of Navarro, Stark
county, Ohio. OF their four children,
two are living-Charles r. and Burt A.
Mr., Miller was Republican in his po-
litical belief, and was raised in the Metho
dist faith.
Although never an applicant for office,
he was always foremost in the council of
his party. He was great admirer, and
one of the most ardent supporters of Maj.
and 1t was the one wish of
his life to see him president. At the con-
gressional convention he was chosen as
one Of the presidential electors and he
believed that his fondest hope would be
realized
Through his wise counsels, together
with the late @. Aultman and Jacob
Miller, the First Methodist congregation
It's present substantial pos ZION
in the community. Since the death of
his co-laborers, Mr.. Miller has assumed
almost absolute charge of the internal
business arrangements Of the church Or
ganization. With his declining years he
became more interested In the advance
ment Of the ohuorh, and paid less atten-
ton to his law practice, which for
many years occupied his entire attention.
His latest work was the founding of the
Dueber Avenue M. e. church, which, by
his efforts was placed upon self-support-
Inglbasis. In many places the loss of this
painstaking man will.be severely
felt, but the First M. K. congregation
will meet and sing the old familiar
psalms for long lapse Of time before the
place made vacant will be filled by such
man ha