Francis Benjamin Miller, 1838-1901, was the son of Joseph Dundas Miller and Elizabeth Tomlinson of Liverpool. He came to Manitoba in 1880 with his second wife, Fannie Louise Frodsham, William, sixteen, son of his first wife, their daughter Rose, nearly three, and Fred, a toddler. Fanny was pregnant with twins and gave birth in Portage la Prairie, Manitoba, in July, while the family was headed to their farm near Solsgirth. One of the twins, Dorothy, died, when she was two and a half months old; her twin, Bernard West Miller survived.

Benjamin and his son William went on ahead to set up the homestead near Solsgirth, about twelve miles from Birtle and about 200 miles from Winnipeg. Together they took 640 acres and built a log house. The farm was named Rose Vale. Three more children were born in Manitoba, Gerald Hope, Helen, and Ruby Blanche. Ruby does not appear in the photo above since she was born in 1887.

Copy of the photograph with names was provided by Hope Healy Koontz who borrowed it from family descendants.


Related Links
Francis Benjamin Miller
Biographical sketch of the Benjamin Miller family by Hope Healy Koontz
Helen Miller, daughter of Benjamin and Fanny Miller
Joseph Dundas Miller and Elizabeth Tomlinson, Benjamin's parents
Children of Joseph Dundas Miller and Elizabeth Tomlinson
Miller family