Caroline Ann Akin

Caroline Ann Akin was born on Nov. 5, 1833 in PA, and she died on Feb. 10, 1911 in IL, at the age of 77. Caroline was the daughter of Judge Andrew Akin and Marian Graves, the 2nd of their 7 children. Her siblings are Carlos, her twin, Harriet, Eugene, Henry, Emma*, and Charles Akin. On Jan. 1, 1852 in IL, age 18, she married Isaac D. Miller, 24, the son of Isaac Miller and Beulah Morley. They were blessed with 3 children, Lillie Eugenie, Ida, and Nellie Akin. On Jan. 1, 1902, they celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary. Though they had planned to stay home, they were surprised by their friends and family with a lovely party. Excerpts from Anniv. Article, Boone County Republican 03 Jan 1902, Fri - P. 1 - Mr. and Mrs. Isaac D. Miller had planned to pass New Years evening quietly at their home. ------- There were those who had different ideas about the matter, however. Mrs. Miller is a member of the bible class taught by E. M. Calkins at the First Baptist Church, and he and the members of the class had been plotting when Mrs. Miller's back was turned. ----- Mr. Miller was presented with a handsome gold headed cane and she was presented with a gold handled umbrella, with the best wishes of the donors. ---- Mr. and Mrs. Miller are old and respected resident of this vicinity. they were married in Elgin fifty years ago and later removed to Chicago where they remained for but a short time when Mr. Miller came to Belvidere to prepare a home, followed some time afterward by Mrs. Miller. It was then that with his own hands he erected Little Thunder Mills which remains as a landmark of the early days. ----End. In Dec of 1910 she had a light paralytic stroke. She was preceded in death by her husband on March 2, 1908, and by her daughter Ida in July of 1909. Her Obit: Belvidere Daily Republican 14 Feb 1911, Tue - P. 9 -- The funeral services of the late Mrs. I. D. Miller, held Sunday (3- 12, 1911) afternoon at 2:30 o'clock, at the family home, 325 West Boone St., were attended by a large concourse of sympathizing friends. Rev. Martin H. Buck, of Chicago, who has filled the pulpit of the First Baptist Church here on recent occasions, and who had come to know Mrs. Miller in her sickness, conducted the services. The pastor and friend paid an eloquent and appreciative tribute to the worth of the departed and spoke words of consolation and inspiring hope for those who mourned the loss of their loved one. The singers were Mrs. W. H. Blakeslee and Mrs. J. C. Longcor, and the hymns chosen were " Lead Kindly Light" and "Gathering Home." The bearers were; John G. Tripp, J. M. Hicks, Ben Fry, Frank Sewell, F. S. Stockwell and E. S. Keeler. The flowers were especially beautiful and were the offerings of many friends, besides those from the relatives. The interment was in the Belvidere Cemetery. The relatives here from out of town wee Col. H. C. Akin, of Omaha; Mr. and Mrs. Charles Agor and daughters, Misses Ada and Bessie, of Kankakee; Mrs. C. M. Young, of Danville, Mich.; Mrs. K. T. Akin and daughter, Miss Grace of Chicago; and friends, Mrs. Ira Curtis, of Marengo; Attorney Whitemore, Mrs. Edward Smith and Mrs. Alfred Comstock, of Chicago; and Mr. and Mrs. C. A. Church, of Rockford. In the passing from this life of Mrs. I. D. Miller there has been removed from the associations of the home, the church and friends a woman of rare loveliness of character, one of whom all who knew her even with a slight degree of intimacy speak in most affectionate remembrance, and with sincere sorrow that these close relationships have terminated. Mrs. Miller passed into the other life at 4 o'clock on the afternoon of Friday, Feb. 10, 1911, at her home on West Boone St. in this city. Her demise came as the result of the infirmities of advanced age. She had been confined to her bed since a few days before Dec. 25th last, but had not been able to leave the house since early last summer. When the grip first appeared in this part of the country Mrs. Miller became a victim to its attack in its severest form. This permanently impaired her health, and a recurrence of the symptoms came each year thereafter. In all the suffering incident to her final illness her fortitude and resignation were marvelous. Through it all the same kindly, patient disposition shone out. The maiden name of the friend so deeply mourned was Miss Caroline Akin and she was born in Spartansburg, PA., Nov. 5, 1833. She came to Belvidere with her parents, Mr. and Mrs. Andrew Akin, in 1844. The family lived while here on their farm near the Little Thunder Mills, a few miles east of the city, but in a few years removed to Elgin and then to Chicago. Her future husband, Isaac D. Miller lived on the farm, still retained by the family, near that occupied by Mr. Akin. The friendship then formed led to the marriage of Mr. Miller and the young daughter of his former neighbor, which was celebrated Chicago, Jan. 1, 1852, and they began life together on the farm of Mr. Miller. Soon afterward Mr. Miller began the erection of the Little Thunder Mills. The men employed were card for at the home of Mr. and Mrs. Miller and upon the latter developed a great amount of he home work following, so that it might well be said the building of the mill, an important enterprise in those early days, was by both. Nineteen years ago Mr. Miller sold the mill property and the family removed to Belvidere, buying the present home on West Boone St.. Mr. Miller died at his home here in March 1909. Both Mr. and Mrs. Miller were long faithful and earnest members of the First Baptist Church of this city. The children surviving are Lillie, wife of Charles Agor, of Kankakee, and Nellie, wife of M. E. Dorn, of this city. Ida, wife of County Clerk William Bowley, passed away July 6, 1909. The home of the daughter, Mrs. Dorn, and her husband and Mrs. Miller was made together. Col. Henry C. Akin, of Omaha, is a brother of the deceased and the only one living of the seven brothers and sisters of his father's family. The parents died a number of years ago. Misses Ada and Bessie Agor are the grandchildren surviving. Mrs. Miller was of that quiet home keeping temperament that shuns publicity but her life was filled with beautiful acts of devotion and servce. Her peculiarly sweet influence impressed all who came in contact with her and was a benediction and a blessing. The good done in the quiet way can hardly be estimated. To her family she was devotion itself and the cheerful self-sacrifice was one of her conspicuous traits. The loss to those she loved and who tenderly loved her cannot be measured. All the friends have the deepest sympathy and will sorrow with those who mourn. End