Defiance County Pioneers - Hal Miller

Photo on www.findagrave submitted by Bill Metz

November 28, 1912

"DIES SUDDENLY

Hal H. Miller, Marshall and Fire Chief

Stricken with Heart Failure While in the Discharge of His Duties at the Jail

Horace H. Miller, city marshal and chief of the local fire department for a number of years, died suddenly at four o'clock Wednesday afternoon, November 20, of heart failure, while in the discharge of his duties at the jail.

During the afternoon,he had been called to quiet a disturbance at the home of William Wallace.  It was necessary to arrest and confine Wallace to assure the peace and safety of members of his family.  This was only accomplished with much difficulty, in which Mr. Miller was forced to exert himself, as Wallace showed fight, flashed a gun and threatened to take his (Miller's) life.

However, after Wallace had been safely incarcerated, Mr. Miller secured Walter Smith to assist him in making repairs at the jail.  The stove pipe needed fixing and a window light replacing.  On the way to the jail, Miller complained of a severe pain in his chest.  Arrived there, he told Smith to take the measurement of the window while he built a fire.  After laying the kindling in the stove,he took a bucket and went after coal.  He had just returned and reached the door of the jail when the fatal stroke fell.

Smith heard the clatter of the coal bucket, but supposed Miller had slipped off the step and fell.  He went to the door and spoke.  Seeing Mr. Miller laying on the ground, motionless, he bent over him and attempted to raise him up.  Receiving no replies to his inquiries, and thinking that something serious had happened,he hastened and secured the assistance of Clyde Maxwell and W. N. Bates.  While one went after Dr. W. H. Cook, the other two did all they could for the stricken man.  Upon the arrival of the physician, he was removed to his home on Cornelia Street.

The stroke, seemingly, had proved instant and fatal, and its victim never regained consciousness and expired a moment after its visitation.  Whether or not the excitement of the arrest and incarceration of Wallace was instrumental in bringing on the attack is mere conjecture.  The word that Mr. Miller, a faithful friend of all, a good citizen, and an exemplary officer had died suddenly soon spread and the people of the town (Hicksville) were cast into sadness and gloom.

Mr. Miller was a man in every sense of the word.  He met and conquered reverses that would have discouraged a less stronger spirit.  His temptations were many and sore, yet he overcame them and the past several years of his life have been lived as only the good and true, noble and big hearted people can live.

The remains lay in state at the late home until Sunday.  The funeral was held at the Presbyterian church at 2 o'clock Sunday afternoon and was in charge of the local fire department.  The cortege was accompanied to the church by a large body of people, headed by the Hart Concert Band, a large delegation from the Defiance fire department and county officials, and the entire membership of the local department in uniform.  The services were conducted by Rev. J. N. King, pastor of the deceased, assisted by Reverands P. O.Rhodes, D. F. Harris, and D.G. Hall.  Congressman Ansberry was in attendance at the funeral and spoke feelingly of the close bond of friendship that had existed between himself and the deceased for a number of years.  Mayor E. C. Bear paid a touching tribute to Mr. Miller's record as an official of the town and also of the fire department."

Included in the obituary were the words of Dr. J. W. Lilly who spoke to the funeral crowd as a representative of the fire department.  He noted that Hal Miller was a charter member of the first fire company in Hicksville in 1874 and also a charter member of the Union Hose, Hook and Ladder Company organized in 1890.  He first served as an assistant chief and in 1894 was elected Chief of the Department and re-elected again in 1911. He had 38 years of public service and was loved by the "boys."

"H. H. Miller (Horace H.), son of Abraham and Eliza Miller, was born in Fredericksburg, Wayne county, Ohio, September 12, 1851.  In 1855 he came with his parents to Hicksville, Ohio, where he resided until his death on November 20, 1912, at the age of 61 years, 2 months and 8 days.  He was one of a family of twelve children, six boys and six girls, nine of whom are still living, his father, mother, two brothers and two sisters preceding him to the life beyond.

On October 12, 1871, he was united in marriage to Cynthia Steele, to which union were born eight children, six boys and two girls.  He has left to mourn his loss, three brothers and four sisters, his wife, five sons and two daughters and ten grandchildren, together with a host of relatives and friends.

The remains were accompanied to Forest Home by a large body of people from near and far, and the last sad rites were performed and the soul of a beloved citizen was committed to its Master."

Forest Home Cemetery, Hicksville, Ohio - www.findagrave

 Source: Obituaries: Pioneers of Northwest Ohio, Volume 1.  Carma Rowe Estate (Johnson Memorial Library).  No date.  p. 207.

 Copies available at Defiance Public Library and Hicksville and Sherwood branch libraries.