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Collection Dates: 1849 -- 1903
(Bulk Dates: 1862 -- 1865)
50 items
This document describes a collection of materials held
by the
Special Collections Department
University of Iowa Libraries
Iowa City, Iowa 52242-1420
Phone: 319-335-5921
Fax: 319-335-5900
e-mail: lib-spec@uiowa.edu
Posted to Internet: February 1998
Acquisition
Note: The
papers of James Miller were donated to the University of Iowa Libraries in
1981 by Mrs. Margaret M. Claussen.
Access
and Restrictions:
Digital Surrogates: Except where indicated, this document describes but
does not reproduce the actual text, images and objects which make up this
collection. Materials are available only in the Special Collections
Department.
Copyright: Please read
The University of Iowa Libraries' statement on "Property Rights, Copyright Law, and Permissions to Use Unpublished
Materials"
Use of Collections: The University
of Iowa Libraries supports access to the materials, published and unpublished,
in its collections. Nonetheless, access to some items may be restricted by
their fragile condition or by contractual agreement with donors, and it may
not be possible at all times to provide appropriate machinery for reading,
viewing or accessing non-paper-based materials. Please read our Use
of Manuscripts Statement.
Biographical Note
James Miller (1824
-- 1894) was born in Scotland. He immigrated to the United States by way of
Canada. In September of 1851, he became a U.S. citizen. He was living in Pennsylvania
and working as a master mechanic at that time. He later moved to Illinois and
farmed near Channahon in Wills County. Miller helped raise Company G (Mechanics
Fusiliers), 56th Illinois Volunteers. Because of a technicality, it was mustered
out in January 1862. Miller then went to Cairo, Illinois and enlisted as a fireman
in the Western Gunboat Flotilla of the Navy. On March 1, 1862, he was promoted
to Chief Engineer. Discharged from the military in September 1865, Miller returned
to Illinois and went to work as an engineer at the Joliet State Prison. In charge
of all machinery, he served as chief engineer for twenty-five years. While there,
he was responsible for the invention of certain improvements in feed water heaters
and purifiers for boilers. He later invented an important part for blast furnaces.
The papers of James
Miller consist of fifty items covering the years 1849 to 1903 and concerning
his Civil War service and later inventions. Most of the documents pertain to
Miller’s tour of duty in the U.S. Navy on the Mississippi River from 1862
to 1865. Included are such items as benefit claims and military service records.
Some of these documents were signed by Gideon Welles, David D. Porter, and William
D. Porter. Finally, there are materials relating to his mechanical inventions
and a copy of his marriage certificate.
Box
1
Documents pertaining to Miller's tour of duty in the U.S. Navy and later benefit claims, 1862 -- 1879, including documents signed by Gideon Welles, David D. Porter, and William D. Porter. (32 items)
Military service records and claims, 1849 -- 1903. Xerox copies from the National Archives, including a copy of Miller's certificate of marriage. (11 items)
Miller Heater and Purifier Company, 1888. (8 items)
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