The Columbia Star, Columbia, Illinois, Thursday, December 13, 1934, page 1
 
STEPHEN MILES DIES AT HIS FARM HOME
 
Stephen A. Miles, a member of one of Monroe County's pioneer families, died at his 
residence on the River Farm, near Merrimac, on December 4, 1934, at the age of 74 
years 3 months and 27 days.
 
The funeral took place last Thursday afternoon, services being held at Valmeyer, with 
Rev. Hosto conducting them.
 
The remains were interred in the Miles vault in the Miles cemetery on a high hill overlooking 
the American Bottoms.
 
The Miles family made history for Monroe County for they were early settlers of Monroe 
County coming here from Maryland, of fine aristocracy of the South.
 
The deceased was born at Eagle Cliffs, now Fountain, February 7, 1860, the son of Stephen 
A. Miles, who conducted a general store in Fountain that proved so successful that he became 
wealthy and purchased much of the Bottom land.  It was said that one day he climbed to the 
top of Eagle Cliff, and said to his companion, “As far as the eye can see, the land belongs to 
Stephen Miles.”
 
Here on this high hill he built a vault in the Miles family cemetery, a vault erected at a cost of 
$10,00 which was then (and is now) a magnificent sum.  Architecturally, the vault is beautiful, 
and many are the strange tales told of the beautiful mausoleum erected in that little cemetery.  
The vault was built by Maj. Trisillion, an officer who served with General Grant in the Civil 
War.
 
In 1880 the deceased took charge of his father's store. His partner was his brother Edward 
Miles.  They kept the store until 1893 and then he removed to Crain, Ill., where he went into 
business.  There he met and married Etta B. Bowers, who survives him as do his children, Stephen 
A. Miles, jr. of Valmeyer, Mrs. Leonora R. Mueller and Virginia Louise Miles of Maplewood, Mo.
 
In his younger years he was in the United States Secret Service and was alter a salesman for the 
Deering Harvester Co.
 
In 1906 he returned to Merrimac, taking up his residence at River Farm, part of the old Miles estate.
 
The services at the Evangelical church at Valmeyer were largely attended.  The masonic fraternity 
conducted their ritualistic services at his grave.