Arnold W. Miller papers

Collection

Identifier: 00008

Staff Only

Scope and Contents

This collection contains correspondence, receipts, account books, and diaries relating mainly to Arnold W. Miller, a Saginaw County, Michigan, farmer. The bulk of the correspondence consists of letters from friends and relatives of Miller, residing in Kansas, Vermont, and Massachusetts. The letters include information on agricultural and business conditions, as well as the family's intense interest in spiritualism. One folder contains correspondence from Jasper Miller, who corresponded with Arnold from the spirit world via a niece who was a medium. Jasper Miller, Arnold's brother, was born September 28, 1826 in Westminster, Windham, Vermont and died April 1879 in Westfield, Orleans, Vermont. Three diaries document Arnold Miller's term of service with Company G of the Third Michigan Cavalry in the Civil War.

Dates

Creation: 1847 - 1928

Conditions Governing Access

Collection is open for research.

Conditions Governing Use

Permission to publish material from this collection must be obtained from University Archives & Historical Collections, Michigan State University.

Biographical Note

Arnold W. Miller was born November 9, 1822 in Westford, Orleans, Vermont. He later moved to Brady Township, Saginaw County, Michigan, where he was a farmer. Miller served during the Civil War in Company G of the Third Michigan Cavalry. He enlisted on September 21, 1861. On October 14, 1861, Miller was promoted to Full Quarter Master Sergeant. He was promoted to Full Sergeant on January 19, 1864. He mustered out on February 12, 1866 at San Antonio, Texas. Miller died March 28, 1911 and was buried in Oak Grove Cemetery in Oakley, Michigan.

Miller was apparently involved in the Michigan branch of the Grange, a national farmers' political organization. Before migrating to Michigan, he lived in Chicopee, Massachusetts.