The Harvey Miller family. Harvey and Alice (Shore) Miller are seated in the foreground flanking a portrait of their deceased son, Clarence Harry. Their three surviving children (from left second row) are Gerial, Denia and Delbert.

Ancient Faces: The Harvey Miller Family

James Harvey Miller (11 April 1861-20 February 1933) was the fourth son of Jeremiah and Elizabeth (McMulin) Miller. Born in Monroe County, Iowa, he moved with his family to English Township, Lucas County, Iowa, during 1866. Harvey is shown here with his wife, Mary Elizabeth Alice (Shore) Miller (28 November 1860-28 January 1935), and their three surviving children (back row from left) Gerial (27 February 1885-14 June 1950), Denia Alice (Miller) Tilson (31 May 1893-13 May 1942) and Delbert (20 February 1883-30 March 1960). The portrait photographed with the family is of Clarence Harry Miller (born 14 April 1887) who died in an accident at the family’s Garden Grove, Calif., farm on 19 June 1906. Another child, a daughter named Vinna E., was born 1 July 1881, died 27 July 1881, and is buried in Zion Cemetery, Pleasant Township, Lucas County, Iowa. Harvey and Alice were married 5 September 1880 in Lucas County, Iowa, and moved to California during February 1895 where the remainder of their lives were spent. This photograph is from the collection of William Ambrose Miller, my grandfather.

Clarence Harry Miller 

Ancient Faces: Clarence Harry Miller

The greatest sorrow of Harvey and Alice (Shore) Miller’s family life was the loss of their youngest son, Clarence Harry (born 14 April 1887 in Lucas County, Iowa), who was electrocuted in the pump house on the family farm near Garden Grove, Calif., on the morning of 19 June 1906, when he was 19. There are some indications that their grief was a factor in a decision to leave the farm during 1908 and move into Corona, Calif., where Harvey entered the livery business and, during 1912, added a furniture business. Clarence was buried in the Santa Ana, Calif., Cemetery, and Harvey and Alice were buried with him when they died, respectively, during 1933 and 1935. This photograph is from the collection of William Ambrose Miller, my grandfather.