Nebraska was not settled by many European-Americans until 1848. In the 1860s, the government took Native American land and opened it for homesteaders. Nebraska became the 37th state on March 1, 1867,
American pioneers migrated west to settle areas not previously inhabited by European Americans.
She (Mary Branstudder) married Jacob R. Miller, a farmer, on October 21, 1859 in Morgan County, Illinois. The marriage was performed by W. D. R. Trotter, M. G.
Jacob was born about 1838 in Pennsylvania. His father was Jacob Miller. At the time of the 1850 census, Jacob lived one household away from David and Bethany Taylor.
Jacob served in the civil war. He was a corporal in Company D of the 150 Illinois Infantry. He enlisted on August 20, 1862 and was discharged on June 18, 1865.
Mary and Jacob's children included:
Elizabeth R. Miller Scaggs (1859, married William Scaggs),
Mary Miller (1862),
Jennett Isabel Miller Hawkins (1865, married Alva Warren Hawkins),
Emma Miller (1871),
Estella Miller (1873),
James Marion Miller (1875, married Lela Maude Cornelius),
Walter Arson Miller (1881), and
Alva Luzern Miller (1884, married Lillian Morton).
They appeared in the 1860 census in Jacksonville, Morgan County, Illinois. Jacob was 20 and Mary was 19 at that time. Her nine year old brother was living with them.
Before 1870 the family moved to Vesta, Johnson County, Nebraska. The household consisted of Jacob age 32, Mary age 29, Lisie age 9, Gennetta age 8, and Mary age 7.
At the time of the 1880 census the household consisted of J. R. Miller age 42, M. E. Miller age 39, Ellen age 17, J. Miller age 15, Emma age 9, Estella age 7, and Jas. age 5.
At the time of the 1885 Nebraska census the household consisted of Jacob age 47, Marey E. age 45, Jeanette age 20, Emma age 14, Stella age 19 (1?) James age 9, Walter age 5 and Alva 11 months.
Mary died on January 15 1930 in Julian, Nehama County, Nebraska.
