JOHN MILLER, a brother of the above [David Miller], was born in the county, Dec. 26, 1805. He received only a moderate common school education. He obtained hope in Christ during the revival of 1828, but, being doubtful of the genuiness of his conversion, he did not make a public profession of religion, till the fall of 1829, when he was baptized into the fellowship of Otter Creek church, of which the family of his parents were members, by Johnson Graham. He was licensed to preach, Nov 8, 1835. He at once commenced the exercise of his gift, and his progress was so satisfactory that he was ordained to the work of the ministry, on the 2nd of December, of the following year, Johnson Graham, Horation Chandler and Wm. M. Brown, forming the presbytery. He was a man of fair talent, of excellent practical judgment, and of deep, earnest piety. Not far from the time of his ordination, he made the following entry in his private journal: "To Thee, O Lord, I look; for without thee, I can do nothing. Keep me humble, and make me holy, give me an understanding of thy Word. And oh, may my object be to preach Jesus, and not myself, that I may gloriy thy name, and win souls to thee, the living God. These favors I ask for Jesus' sake, unto whose name be everlasting praises: Amen." A deleation of his ministerial and christian character could not be better portrayed, than it is in this simple prayer. Every petition in it seems to have been literally answered.
Mr. Miller, was, at different periods, pastor of the churches at Hardin's Creek, in Washington county; Stewarts Creek, in Marion; Middle Creek, Rolling Fork and Hodgenville, in LaRue [sic]; Brush Crek, in Green; Friendship, in Taylor, and Union Band in Nelson. He was instrumental in raising up Middle Creek and Union Band, and was a member of the latter, at the time of his death. He was a humble, pious christian, a good strong, plain preacher, a wise counselor, and an excellent disciplinarian, and doubtless, would have exerted a much more extended influence but for the fact of his becoming a confirmed dyspeptic, in the early part of his ministry. He frequently resigned the pastor office, on account of ill health; but would resume that relation, as soon as his health was sufficiently improved. This will account for his having been pastor of so many churches. But with all his afflictions, during a period of about 20 yers, God wrought a good work by him. He baptized over 350 converts.
When his health became so feeble that he could no longer labor in the Lord's vineyard, he greatly desired "to depart and be with Christ," and often prayed the Lord to take him home. The good Master, at last, granted his petition. On the 15th of July, 1864, his chastened spirit left the worn out tenement of clay, and went joyfully to the presence of God who gave it. Of his sons J. Tol. Miller is an acceptable preacher in Texas and Russ Miller is a licensed preacher, in Hardin county.