Return to the Land

The Line Continues

David Stafford Miller was born May 8, 1896. He was the second child of John Harvey and Minnie Catherine Miller. He had an older brother Edgar and eventually had six other siblings. He was born at the home on Kimberling in spring when the earth blossoms anew. He lived his life with the same freshness, finding humor and beauty with each new day. As he grew, he took on the physical characteristics of his maternal ancestry and mannerisms of his mother. He favored his grandfather David Oliver Wright being 5’7” tall when he reached ad ulthood. David Oliver however had red hair and so Dad deviated from that trait having brown hair. He was gentle in character never speaking ill of anyone and his motto through life was, ‘Do unto others as they to you.’ I never saw my father angry and he could see a spark of humor in the drabbest situations. David Stafford Miller was named for his maternal grandfather, David Oliver Wright, who took a special liking to him. His middle name, by which he was addressed by his family, honored his great-grandmother, Lettetia Stafford Wright originally of Ireland. Being Irish, from this side of the family, gave him the tendency to carefully manage his assets and live within his means. He was not unlike other youngsters who grew up on a farm. He would share his childhood memories with me and I could almost experience the same feelings.

David Stafford Miller about age 3, 1899

Kimberling Creek was the center of recreation for him and his siblings. The house was just above the creek where the rippling of water over rocks would lull him to sleep at night. Fishing became a release from the daily farm chores as well as supplying food for the family.

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