Revolutionary War Veteran & Early Ohio Politician, Jonathan Miller, Oil Painting, Ca 1813

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American History Auction

By Cowan's Auctions

Nov 18, 2016 - Nov 19, 2016

Set Reminder 2016-11-18 10:00:00 2016-11-19 10:00:00 America/New_York Bidsquare Bidsquare : American History Auction https://www.bidsquare.com/auctions/cowans/american-history-auction-1870
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• Lot Description
  The Prominent Miller Family of Upper Arlington, Ohio
  
  Jonathan Miller (1759-1849) was born a British citizen in Funkstown, PA. Early in his life, his family moved to Fayette County, PA and settled there for quite some time. His family were Dunkards, a small group of conservative Schwarzenau Brethren Baptists who strongly opposed the Revolutionary War. According to family lore, despite his family’s beliefs, Miller supposedly ran away from home at fifteen to become a drummer on the front lines. He helped liberate his country by serving in the Virginia Cavalry in 1778 where he fought with General Washington at Chestnut Hill. He served again as an Ensign under Captain Daniel Clapsaddle in the Flying Camp, Washington County, MD from 1780 until 1781. During that time he married his cousin, Mary Hickman. They had six children that survived to adulthood, many were very successful. After most of his children married and moved out of the house, he moved to Mt. Vernon, OH in search of new opportunities in 1814. He was an energetic, successful merchant and did well in the state. Within a year, he was appointed Assessor of Taxes in Knox County, OH and elected as the county’s commissioner. The next year, he was elected to the Ohio House of Representatives and founded the Owl Creek Bank. He died at Mt. Vernon, OH in the winter of 1849. A painting of Jonathan Miller from around 1813 is presented in lot 254.
  
  Miller and his children's success in business led to many important connections in Ohio. His grandson, Henry Miller (1819-1890), who built the Miller Farm, had several businesses. With his brother John, he bought the Ohio State Journal in 1858. He was a partner in Miller, Comstock & Smith, which manufactured and sold uniforms and boots to the government during the Civil War. He also owned real estate, toll roads, railroads, and more. Many items in lot 255 are associated with Henry Miller, his wife Almeda, and their family.
  
  Thomas Miller (1829-1909), brother to Henry, is also represented in lot 255. He owned several farms, was Sheriff of Franklin County, Assessor of Internal Revenue, Columbus Postmaster, Trustee of the Blind Asylum, and owner of the Friend Street Railroad.
  
  The Millers were related, by blood, to several families of distinction, including the Ewing family, which had strong political ties in Lancaster, OH. They were cousins to James G. Blaine, and numerous items in lot 255 are signed or associated with the senator and presidential candidate. The Millers were also cousins to General William T. Sherman's wife, Ellen Ewing Sherman, who is also represented in lot 255.
  
  Henry Miller's son, James T. Miller (1846-1920), served as the first mayor of Upper Arlington, OH in 1918. James had eight children with his wife Esther, the first six being girls. They were all members of the DAR, and material related to the organization is offered in lot 255. Miller contributed significantly to the development of Upper Arlington. In 1913, he sold 840 acres of his farm, and the land would eventually turn into Upper Arlington. Miller hosted many famous guests at his impressive home including President Warren G. Harding and sharpshooter, Annie Oakley; both of whom became family friends. The family also had close relationships with Ohio politicians over a period of almost 100 years, including James Garfield and William McKinley and his wife. Items related to prominent political figures are available in lot 255, including documents signed by Salmon P. Chase as governor of Ohio, who would later serve as Lincoln's Secretary of the Treasury. These documents were discovered with pieces of fabric purportedly cut from the dress worn by Mary Todd Lincoln on the night of Lincoln's Assassination, offered as lot 253 in this auction.
  
  Oil on canvas, 24.5 x 30.25 in., artist unknown. Accompanied by sheet of paper identifying the subject as Grand Father of Henry Miller/ Jonathan Miller Buried in Mt. Vernon Cemetery. 
  
  Provenance: Acquired from the Miller Family Estate, Upper Arlington, Ohio

  Condition

  Some cracking of the canvas that appears to be cut out of a frame. 
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