"An Illustrated history of Baker, Grant, Malheur and Harney Counties : with a
brief outline of the early history of the state of Oregon." Chicago?: Western
Historical Pub. Co., 1902.  Page 309.  Baker County.

WILLIAM MILES

     To the man whose life record it is now our task to epitomize belongs the
distinguished honor of being one of those who rallied to the support of the
Union and the flag in the dark days when civil strife threatened to rend our
land in twain.  Like most of his comrades, also, Mr. Miles has sustained the
good record of his military service in the severe battle of life which had to be
fought before and since, and has contributed his share toward the progress and
upbuilding of his part of the country he fought so valiantly to save.  In peace
and in war he has ever stood "four square to every wind" and he deserves and
receives the good will and esteem of all who know him.
     Inquiry into the past life of Mr. Miles develops the fact that his native
country is Ireland, and that he was born January 8, 1839, near Dublin.  When
about eight years old he was brought by his parents to America, and for the
ensuing six years his home was in Ontario county, New York.  In 1855 the family
moved to Chicago and two years later to Joliet, Illinois, where our subject
lived until 1862.  In that year the even tenor of his life was somewhat rudely
interrupted in consequence of the Civil war and the duty he felt it entailed of
giving his support to the cause of national union.  He enlisted, obedient to the
call of patriotism, in Company C. Ninetieth Illinois, and from that time until
the close of hostilities, he followed the fortunes of war.  He participated in
the struggles at Missionary Ridge, Jacksonville, Fort McAllister and other
places, receiving a severe wound in the right arm at the point last named.  His
military record was one of which eh and his family have reason to feel proud.
     When hostilities ceased and he received his honorable discharge, he came
out to Boise, Idaho, where he remained for three years, thereupon returning to
Joliet.  He was employed there for the ensuing fourteen years as foreman in the
rolling mills of the town, but at the end of that extended period, he again came
out to the west, locating this time in Baker county, where he took a homestead
and where he has ever since lived.  He is one of the thrifty and prosperous
agriculturist of his locality and one of its leading citizens.  At present he is
serving as postmaster at Miles, which was named for him.
     In fraternal affiliations our subject is identified with Bartleson Post,
No. 6, G.A.R., of Joliet, Illinois.  He married on November 2, 1872, Miss Annie
E. Daughter of John and Mary Harbison, of Odell, Illinois, and to them have been
born eight children.  Mary L., Nellie, wife of Milton Martin; James, John,
William, Agnes, Katie and Neal. 

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Submitted to the Oregon Bios. Project in September 2005 by Diana Smith.
Submitter has no additional information about the person(s) or family mentioned
above.