Fund Est. 2002
Living on a farm south of Decatur on 300 North, John and Rose celebrated their 53rd wedding anniversary in 1958. They were the parents of five children: Elmo, Herman, Margaret, Helena, and Cletus. Cletus and his wife, Bette, are the founding contributors of this fund which memorializes his parents.
John's father, Andrew Miller II, was born at Schmittweiler, Rhine Babaria, Germany in 1849 to Andrew I and Margaret (Letcher) Miller. Andrew II, came to the United States in 1869 followed by his brother, Paul, in 1870. In search of farmland, Andrew traveled from New York to Missouri before purchasing an 80-acre farm south of Decatur (near the present Kroger store). He later bought another 80 acres adjoining it. Andrew made several trips to Germany to buy horses and bring them to his farm. He cultivated the land and raised horses. In 1874, he married Mary Suzanna (Tonnelier), and they had nine children: Margaret, John A., Mary, Elizabeth, Casper, Peter C., Clara, Eleanor, and Agnes.