Gaston, Joseph. "The Centennial History of Oregon, 1811-1912." Vol. 2. Chicago, Clarke Publishing Co., 1912. p. 31. WILLIAM C. MILLER, who has lived retired for the past three decades, has made his home in Baker City since 1868 and was for a number of years actively engaged in business as a wagon manufacturer. His birth occurred in Germany on the 20th of June, 1836, his parents being Frederick and Margaret (Schleifer) Miller, who were likewise native of that country. The father followed the profession of school teaching at one place for a period of twenty-seven years, having obtained his position by appointment. His demise occurred in Germany. In 1847 his widow emigrated to the United States with her children but was not long permitted to enjoy her new home, dying from the effects of cholera, in 1850, in the state of Wisconsin. She was the mother of four children: Julius, who is deceased; Charles E.; Mary and William C. The last named, who was a lad of eleven years when he came to this country, took up his abode in Galena, Illinois, and there engaged in clerking until 1862. In that year he crossed the plains to California by ox team and began mining in the Golden State. In 1863 he removed to Idaho, there engaging in mining until 1868, when he came to Baker City, Oregon, which has remained his place of residence continuously since. He served as deputy sheriff from 1868 until 1870 and then embarked in business as a wagon manufacturer, being thus actively identified with industrial interests until 1882. For the past three decades he has lived retired, enjoying the fruits of his former toil in well earned ease. His place of business was on Main street – on the present site of the establishment of Donald & burke. At one time he owned nearly that entire block. On the 1st of October, 1876, Mr. Miller was united in marriage to Miss Sarah Jane Rogers. After her demise he was again married, his second union being with Miss Dora C. Conrey and taking place on the 27th of April, 1908. Her parents were Henry and Elizabeth (Rogers) Conrey, the former a native of Ohio and the latter of Ocean county, New Jersey. Henry Conrey followed the profession of school teaching for a number of years but in later life embarked in the saw-mill business. He passed away on the 19th of May, 1903, having for about six years survived his wife, who was called to her final rest on the 8th of October, 1897. Mrs. Dora C. Miller was born in Point Isabell, Ohio, on the 18th of September, 1855, and was one of a family of nine children, sic of whom survive, as follows: Frederick, who is a resident of Springfield, Ohio; Mrs. Miller; Alice, the wife of W. W. Davies, of West Elkton, Ohio; Edwin Forest, living in Bethel, Ohio; Georgie, the wife of I. L. Laycock, of Bethel Ohio; and Abbie, who gave her hand in marriage to J. F. Shinkle, of Richmond, Indiana. Those who have passed away are William, Ann Athelia and Robert Lee. Mr. Miller gives his political allegiance to the republican party but aside from exercising his right to franchise, has never taken a very active interest in politics. Fraternally he is identified with the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, having been a member of that organization for fifty-three years. He also belongs to the State Historical Society. His religious faith is indicated by his membership in the Presbyterian church, to which his wife also belongs. He has remained a resident of Oregon from pioneer times down to the present and has not only witnessed but aided the work of development and progress along many lines. He has now passed the seventy-sixth milestone on this earthly pilgrimage and his life has ever been such that he can look back over the past without regret and forward to the future without fear. ******************* Submitted to the Oregon Bios. Project in October 2015 by Dale Givens, odg -at- hiwaay.net. More information can be found at: http://wc.rootsweb.ancestry.com/cgi-bin/igm.cgi?op=GET&db=bakerco&id=I24584