Rev John Steen Miles ^{1 3 4 5 6}

  General Notes:

John's age was listed as 25 in the 1850 census, 32 in the 1860 census, 48 in the 1870 census, and 55 in the 1880 census.

At the time of the 1850 Census, October 29, 1850, John was living next to his family in Union County, South Carolina. He was married with 2 sons and a daughter. He was a farmer.

On October 30, 1853, at the Spring Creek Church, Calhoun County, Mississippi, he was ordained to the Baptist ministry by brethren J.C. Martin and T.J. Hunt.

By the time of the 1860 Census, September 6, 1860, John had moved his family to Lafayette County, Mississippi (P.O. Paris). He was a farmer with real estate valued at $1600 and personal assets of $800. He had 4 sons and 2 daughters. A woman named Nancy Steen, age 50 born in South Carolina, was listed with the family. His mother's maiden name was Steen, so this may have been an aunt or cousin.

He moved to Texas in 1869, and pastored many churches in Lavaca, Fayette and Colorado Counties. He had been pastor of the Live Oak Church, Colorado County about fifteen years.

By the time of the 1870 Census, September 9, 1870, John had moved the family to Fayette County, Texas (P.O. Lyonsville). His occupation was listed as tenant with the notation of 1870 after it. Perhaps that is when he became a tenant. He had a different wife and a son born since the last census.

At the time of the 1880 Census, the family was living in Lavaca County, Texas. John was listed with the title of Rev. He was engaged in farming.


JOHN S MILES OBITUARY
MILES - Bro Miles died at his home near Weimar, Colorado Co, Texas, February 5, l890. He was born in Tenn. August 5, l824 and in early life lived in South Carolina. He was twice married. His first wife was Miss Francis G Hames of South Carolina whom he married in l845. On January 7, l862, in Calhoun Co. Mississippi, he was married to Miss S. F. Duke. On October 30, l853, at the Spring Creek Church - Calhoun Co. Mississippi, he was ordained to the Baptist ministry by brethren J. C. Martin & T. J. Hunt. He moved to Texas in l869, and pastored many churches in Lavaca, Fayette, & Colorado Counties. He had been pastor of the Live Oak Church, Colorado Co, about fifteen years. He leaves a widow and twelve children. On February 6, l890, at his old church, and in the presence of a large congregation, his funeral was preached by Rev. Q. T. Simpson.

While Bro. Miles is not what is termed "an educated minister", yet he was a useful preacher, highly respected and will be sadly missed. He was conscious to the last moment, and viewed his approaching death with calmness. They who stood by his bedside said he died happy.
Great God - at the appointed time, give me and the read such a death.
Rev. Q. T. Simpson

From Weimar:
Dear Bro:
I arrive at this place on the 8th; found Bro. Staton holding the fort. He is in the hearts of his people and they have a warm place in his heart; this is just as it should be. The writer had the pleasure of preaching to his people on Thursday and Friday nights, and then Saturday we took a ride, through the kindness of brethren J. A. Lockett and Charles Hunter, to Live Oak Church, some five miles distant. Here we found the indomitable M. M. Wadsworth, presiding over the flock at that point. He seems to feel as though he had Broadway; and they in return think they have a Broad-Us. It was my happy privilege to take a humble part in the Memorial service conducted by the pastor at the erection of a monument to the memory of the late Rev. J. S. Miles, deceased; who was their honored pastor for about twenty years. The services were appropriate and impressive. The Texas Baptist and Herald is on top here.
S. W. Smith ` ¹

  Additional Information:

• FindAGrave: Memorial# 22900240.

John married Francis G. Hames in 1845. (Francis G. Hames was born about 1827 in South Carolina and died before 1862.)

John next married Sarah F. Duke, daughter of Bedford Brown Duke and Mary Matthews, on 7 Jan 1862 in , Calhoun County, Mississippi.^{1 2} (Sarah F. Duke was born about 1843 in Mississippi, died on 31 Mar 1902 in Texas ⁸ and was buried in Live Oak Cemetery, Colorado County, Texas ⁸.)