Janet and Robert Wolfe Genealogy --- Go to Genealogy Page for Francis Frederick Miles --- Go to Genealogy Page for Ada Elinor Harte

Notes for Francis Frederick Miles and Ada Elinor Harte

1875 Frank Miles was awarded second place in History and geography at the Trinity College School in Port Hope where he was a student. In a letter written 1 Jan 1968 to his daughter Judith, Edwin Schafer wrote that he had found an inscription "Trinity College School Port Hope, The 2nd History and Geography Prize, awarded to F.F. Miles, Form 11B, Charles J. Bethune, M.A. Headmaster, July 1876" in a copy of the book The Princes of India by Sir Edward Sullivan, published in 1875. [1]

1877 Ada Harte was awarded first place in natural science at the Ontario Model School in Toronto where she was a student. In a letter written 1 Jan 1968 to his daughter Judith, Edwin Schafer wrote that he had found an inscription "Ontario Model School, Toronto, 1st Prize Natural Science in Section I of Division 2nd, Presented to Ada Harte, The Ontario Department of Education, June 28, 1877" in a copy of the book Little Dorrit by Charles Dickens. [2]

1880 On June 3, Frank F. Miles (age 20, born in Wisconsin, single) lived in Manistee, Manistee County, Michigan. Frank's father was born in England, and his mother was born in Canada. Frank was one of six boarders in a household. He was working in a sawmill as were the other boarders. [3]


Frank Miles, Chicago, 1882

1883 Frank Miles and Ada Harte were married on October 31 in Bellville, Hastings County, Ontario. [4] [5] [6]

Frank F. Miles (age 24, resident in Chicago, born in Milwaukee, an accountant, son of Frederick B. and Ella V. Miles, religion Church of England) and Ada E. Harte (age 21, resident in Belleville, born in Hamilton, daughter of John and Eliza H. Harte, religion Church of England) were married in Belleville, Hastings, Ontario on 31 Oct 1883. Witnesses were C. W. Meakins, Jr, resident in Montreal, and Ella Maude Miles, resident in Chicago.

1883 The Hamilton Spectator announced Frank and Ada's marriage on November 2 and 3.


1883 Marriage Ada Harte and Frank Miles
The Hamilton Spectator, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada, November 3, 1883. [7] [8]

Matrimonial.

At Belleville on Wednesday last, the nuptials of Ada E. Harte, of that place, and Frank M. Miles, of Chicago, were celebrated. The bride is a daughter of a former well-known resident of this city, at one time connected with the firm of Gurney, Ware and Co. Miss Miles, sister of the bridegroom, assisted the bride, while Mr. Chas. Meakins, jr., of Montreal, acted as groomsman for Mr. Miles. The esteem in which the bride is held was evidenced by an array of handsome tokens. The happy couple left for New York via Montreal, thence to Chicago, where they will make their future home.

1884 Marion Elise Miles, daughter of Frank F. and Ada E. Miles, was born on July 27 in the family home at 3348 Forest Avenue in Chicago, Cook County, Illinois.

1885 "Miles Frank F. clk. 205 LaSalle, house 3348 Forest av." was listed in the 1885 Chicago City Directory. [9]

1886 Ella Frances Miles, daugher of Frank F. and Ada E. Miles, was born on February 9 in the family home at 3348 Forest Avenue in Chicago, Cook County, Illinois.

1887 Francis F. Miles purchased property on 53rd Street on February 12. Arthur A. Crosby, also an employee of Armour, purchased adjacent property on the same date. Miles' property was described as "W. 16 2/3 ft. E 29 1/3 ft. [of lot] 16" in C. M. Cady's Subdivision of Block 24 in Kimbark's Addition to Hyde Park. Crosby's property was described as "W. 16 2/3 ft. [of lot] 15, E 6 1/3 ft. [of lot] 16" in the same subdivision. The purchase agreement was dated December 10, 1886, and recorded on February 2, 1887. [10] The Warranty Deeds were dated February 12, 1887, and recorded on February 16, 1887. [11]

This indenture witnesseth that the grantor George A. Arnold bachelor of the city at Chicago and the county of Cook and State of Illinois for and in consideration of the sum of $1265 in hand paid conveys and warrants to Francis F. Miles the City of Chicago County of Cook and State of Illinois the following described real estate to wit commencing at a point on the South lane of lot (16) Sixteen in C. M. Katie's Subdivision of block 24 in Kimbarks addition to Hyde Park …

1887 Frances F. Miles and his wife Ada E. Miles and Arthur A. Crosby and his wife mortgaged the properties on 53rd Street to Philip A. Armour on May 2. [12]

1888 Frederic Allen Miles, son of Francis F. Miles and Ada E. Harte, was born on May 3 in Hyde Park, Cook County, Illinois. [13]

1888 F.F. Miles registered to vote in Chicago on October 16, 1888. He was born in Wisconsin, and his residence was 309 53rd St. He had been living there for 16 months, and he had been living in the county and state for 8 years. He voted (ballot number 63). [14] 309 53rd Street became 1308 53rd Street when the Chicago streets were renumbered in 1909.

1890 Marshall Gilbert Miles, son of Frank F. and Ada E. Miles, was born on January 27 in Cook County, Illinois.

1891 Dorothy Louise Miles, daughter of Frank F. and Ada E. Miles, was born on September 21 in Cook County, Illinois.

1892 Frances F. Miles and his wife Ada E. Miles obtained a release of their mortgage from Philip D. Armour on February 27. [15]

Know all men by these presents that I Phillip D. Armour mortgagee of the County of Cook and State of Illinois do hereby certify that a certain indenture of mortgage bearing date the 2nd day of May A.D. 1887 made and executed by Frank F. Miles and Ada E. Miles his wife of the first part to Philip D. Armour of the second part and recorded in the recorder's office of Cook County in the State of Illinois in book 20675 records on page 368 on the 5th day of July A.D. 1887 is with the note accompanying it fully paid, satisfied, released and discharged.
Witness my hand and seal this 27th day of February A.D. 1892 Philip D. Armour [seal]

1892 Frances F. and Ada E. Miles granted their property on 53rd Street to Ada's brother James H. Harte on February 29 and James regranted the property to Ada the same day.

This indenture witnesseth that the grantor Francis F. Miles and Ada E. Miles his wife of the City of Chicago and the county of Cook and State of Illinois for the consideration of $7000 convey and quit claim to James H. Harte of the City of Chicago county of Cook and state of Illinois all interests in the following described real estate to wit commencing at a point on the South line of lot 16 in C. M. Cady's Subdivision of block 24 in Kimbark's Addition to Hyde Park in section 7 township 38 North range 14 last of the 3rd principal Meridian … [16]

This indenture witnesseth that the grantor James H. Harte bachelor of the City of Chicago in the County of Cook and State of Illinois for the consideration of $7000 convey and quit claims to Ada E. Miles wife a Frank F. Miles of the City of Chicago County of Cook and State of Illinois all interest in the following described real estate to wit commencing at a point on the South line of lot 16 in C. M. Cady's Subdivision of block 24 in Kimbark's Addition to Hyde Park … [17]

1893 Roderick Miles was born on May 14 in Hamilton, Wentworth County, Ontario. [18]

1894 The Miles family moved from their house in Chicago to a new home in La Grange, Illinois, at 106 North Madison Street. Frank commuted to work on the train. One family story is that he often left home for the nearby train station at the last minute and often had to jump over the gate to board the train. [19]

1895 Evelyn Miles, daughter of Frank F. and Ada E. Miles, was born on January 25 in La Grange, Cook County, Illinois.


Francis Frederick Miles, Chicago, November 1895


Ada Harte Miles, Chicago, November 1895

1895 Mr. and Mrs. Frank F. Miles were patrons of the charity ball for St. Lukes Hospital, held in the La Grange Music Hall on Thursday, November 21. "Never since La Grange was a village has it been the scene of so brilliant a social event as the first annual charity ball last night for the benefit of St. Luke's Hospital." [20] [21] Plans for the ball were described in the Chicago Tribunes the previous Sunday. [22] [23]

1895 Douglas Roderick Miles died on December 8 at age 2 in Cook County, Illinois. He was born in Hamilton, Ontario, Canada. [24] [25] He was buried at Oak Woods Cemetery, Chicago, Cook County, Illinois. [26] Douglas died of diphtheria.

Judith (Schafer) (Chevalley) Hiss recalled being told that Frank went to get a doctor on a wintry day when Allen, Marshall and Douglas were ill with diphtheria. Marshall recovered, but Allen (about age 8) and Douglas (age 2) died that year. Frank developed tuberculosis and died about four years later. He lived and worked in Arizona for a short time in the early stages of his TB. The older children stayed with their grandmother Ella Victoria Smith Miles in Chicago while their parents were in Arizona. Philip Armour ("P.D.") transferred Frank to Omaha, Nebraska, and then to Longmont, Colorado (higher elevation) in 1900. Ella Frances lived with them in Colorado during her second year of high school. After Frank died, the family moved to Hamilton, Ontario where Ella completed high school in one year and then attended McDonald Institute, a two-year teachers' college. [27]

1896 Frederick Allen Miles died on February 20 in La Grange, Cook County, Illinois, at age 7. [28] [29] He was buried at Oak Woods Cemetery, Chicago, Cook County, Illinois. [30] His nickname, Johnny, is inscribed on his tombstone. He died of meningitis.

1896 Frank F. Miles was one of the Directors of the La Grange Club (mentioned in an article about a Minstrel Show planned for La Grange). [31]

1896 Frank Harry Miles, son of Frank F. and Ada E. Miles, was born on July 18 in Cook County, Illinois.

1899 Margaret Leslie Miles, daughter of Frank F. and Ada E. Miles, was born on July 25 in Omaha, Douglas County, Nebraska.

1900 On June 1, Francis Miles (age 40, born Aug 1859) and Ada Elenor Miles (age 37, born October 1862) lived at 1706 South 32nd Avenue in Omaha Ward 7, Douglas County, Nebraska, with their children Maryon Elsie Miles (age 15, born July 1884), Ella Frances Miles (age 14, born February 1886), Marshall G Miles (age 10, born January 1890), Dorothy L Miles (age 8, born September 1891), Evelyn Ada Miles (age 8, born January 1895), Frank H Miles (age 3, born July 1896), and Margret L Miles (age 11/12, born July 1899), Francis' sister-in-law (Ada'a sister) Sarah E V Harte (age 27, born October 1872), and servant Agnes G Kurtz (age 18, February 1882). Francis was born in Wisconsin, his father was born in England and his mother was born in Canada. His occupation was Gen Mang Arm & Co. Ada and Sarah were born in Canada, their father in Ireland and their mother in Canada. Margaret was born in Nebraska, and the other children were born in Illinois. Agnes and her parents were born in Austria. Francis and Ada had been married 16 years. (The census record states that Ada had had 7 children and 7 were living, but she had had 9 children.) [32]

1900 On June 9, Frank F. (age 40, born August 1859) and Ada Miles (age 36, born October 1863) lived on Main Street, Longmont, Boulder County, Colorado, with their children Marion (age 15, born July 1884), Nellie (age 14, born February 1886), Marshall (age 10, born January 1890), Dorothy (age 8, born September 1891), Evelyn (age 5, born February 1895), Frank (age 2, born July 1897), and Margaret (age 10/12, born July 1899), and Frank's sister-in-law (Ada's sister) Sarah E. Harte (age 26, born August 1873). Frank was born in Wisconsin, his father in England and his mother in Canada. Ada and Sarah were born in Canada, their father in Ireland and their mother in England. Frank and Ada had been married 16 years. Frank's occupation was capitalist. (The census record states that Ada had had 8 children and 7 were living, but she had had 9 children. It also states that all of the children were born in Illinois, but according to the Nebraska census record, Margaret was born in Nebraska.) [33] [34]

1890-1900 Frank was an Armour & Co. executive. Copies of a set of letters from Philip D. Armour to Frank Miles were donated to the Washington State University Library by Edwin G. Schafer in 1965. These letters are in the Manuscripts, Archives, and Special Collections, call number Cage 1605.

1900 Frank F. Miles died on November 23 in Longmont, Colorado. An obituary in The Inter Ocean, Chicago, states,

Frank F. Miles, who was for twenty years manager of the provision department of Armour St Co., died at Longmont, Colo., yesterday. Mr. Mile was born in Milwaukee, Wis., Aug. 7, 1859. He entered the employ of Armour St Co. in 1878, where bis merit and executive ability were quickly recognized. He remained a prominent factor in the provision Interests until a few years ago, when, his health failing, be removed to Omaha to take charge of Armour & Co.'s interests there, hoping in that climate to regain his health. During the past year, however, he declined in strength and removed to Longmont, Colo., in June last. Mr. Miles leaves a wife and family of two sons and five daughters, and has in Chicago many surviving relatives. The funeral will take place from the residence of his mother, No. 3231 Forest avenue, Chicago, Sunday at 2 p. m. Interment at Oakwoods.


1900 Frank F. Miles Obituary
The Inter Ocean, Chicago, Illinois, November 24, 1900. [35]

A telegram from Philip D. Armour states, [Washington State University Library, Manuscripts, Archives, and Special Collections, call number Cage 1605.]

Western Union Telegraph Company
Received at 3:20 p.m. Nov. 23, 1900
Dated Chicago 23rd
To Ms F. F. Miles
I learn with the greatest sorrow and the deepest regret of Franks death which comes as a sad and severe blow to us all. No one could stand higher in the esteem and warm regard of his associates who all understood and appreciated his loveable genial character. My son & the entire office join me in warmest sympathy for you in your sad affliction if I can be of any service to you do not hesitate to command me -- Philp D Armour.

The Chicago Tribune described Frank's funeral,


1900 Frank F. Miles Funeral
Chicago Tribune, Chicago, Illinois, November 26, 1900. [36]

1901 The Longmont Ledger reported on Friday, February 1, [37]

Mrs. F. F. Miles and children started for the east Tuesday. The two oldest children will spend a couple of weeks in Chicago, but Mrs. Miles and the rest intended to go on to Hamilton, Ontario.

1901 Ada E. Miles (age 38, born 31 October, 1862) lived in Hamilton City, Ward/Quartier No 1, Ontario, Canada with children Marion E (age 16), Ella F (age 15), Marshall G (age 11), Dorothy L (age 9), Evelyne A (age 6), Frank H (age 4), and Margaret S (age 1). [38]

1909 Ada E. Miles sold the property on 53rd Street to Samuel M. Cline on September 10. [39] [40]

1910 On April 18, Ada E. Miles (age 47), widow, lived at 106 North Madison in La Grange Village, Lyons Township, Cook County, Illinois with her children Marion E (age 25), Ella F (age 24), Marshall G (age 20), Dorothy L (age 18), Evelyn A (age 15), Frank H (age 13), and Margaret L (age 10). All the children were born in Illinois, except Margaret who was born in Nebraska, and their father was born in Wisconsin. Ada was born in Canada, her father was born in Ireland, and her mother was born in Canada. [41] [42]

1920 On January 3, Ada E Miles (age 57) lived at 106 Madison Avenue in La Grange Village in Lyons Twp, Cook County, Illinois, in a household with her son Francis H Miles (age 23, born in Illinois) and her daughter Margaret Miles (age 20, born in Nebraska). Ada was born in Canada, her father was born in Ireland, and her mother was born in Canada. The children's father was born in Wisconsin. Francis was an automobile mechanic. Margaret attended school. Ada immigrated to the U.S. in 1883 and was naturalized in 1887. She owned her home and it was mortgaged. [43]


Ada Harte Miles, March 20, 1920


Ada Harte Miles

1922 Ada Elinor Miles applied for a U.S. passport on August 30. She stated that she was born on the 31st day of October 1862 in Hamilton, Ontario, Canada, and that her husband, now deceased, was born in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. She lived outside the U.S. from her birth until 31 October 1883 and from January 1901 to September 1903 and that her current domicile was La Grange, Illinois. She stated that she was about to go abroad temporarily and would return within 3 years. She desired a passport to visit China to visit relatives and to visit Japan for sight seeing. She intended to depart from Vancouver on October 5. She was age 59, stature 5 feet 1/2 inches, with white hair and light grey eyes. Margaret Miles, teacher, of La Grange, Illinois, [Ada's daughter] attested to the accuracy of the passport application. The passport was issued on September 2. [44]

1922 Ada visited her daughter Nell's family in Pullman, Washington, on her way to visit the family of her daughter Marion in China. She left Pullman on September 30. The Pullman Herald reported, [45]

Mr. and Mrs. E. G. Schafer have been entertaining her mother, Mrs. A. E. Miles, of Chicago for the past ten days. Mrs. Miles left Saturday for Vancouver, B. C., where she will sale on the "Empress of Asia" October 5 for the heart of China to visit a daughter whose husband is a medical missionary. She goes with a party of 20 missionaries who leave at the same time. Mr. and Mrs. Schafer accompanied her as far as Spokane.

Granddaughter Judith's 1929 photo album includes a photo taken during her grandmother's visit (George is on the right, Jack is in the middle on the wagon):

1924 On February 25, Ada Elinor Miles (age 61y 3m, widow) of La Grange, Illinois, arrived at Ellis Island on the ship Antonia from Southampton, England. [46]

1930 On April 9, Ada E Miles (age 67, born in Canada, widowed, first married at age 21) lived at 106 N. Madison in Lyons Twp, Cook County, Illinois. A boarder, Harriet H Smith (age 67), lived in Ada's household and was a seamstress in a dressmaking shop. Ada's father was born in Northern Ireland and her mother was born in Canada. She immigrated in 1883 and was a naturalized citizen. She owned her home and its value was $20,000. Her residence was not a farm and it had a radio. [47]

1940 On April 26, Ada E Miles (age 77, born in Canada, widowed) lived at 106 N. Madison in La Grange, Cook County, Illinois. A maid, Pearl Pierson (age 17), lived in her household. Ada's residence was not a farm and she was living in the same house in 1935. The Census record states that the highest grade of school Ada had completed was College, 4th year. Pearl's highest grade of school was High School, 1st year. She was living in Gatzke, Marshall County, Minnesota, in 1935. She had worked 30 hours during the last week of March in 1940. [48]

1945 Ada Elinor Miles died on April 11 in Colfax, Whitman County, Washington. Her death certificate states that she was born on October 31, 1862, in Hamilton, Ontario. Her parents were John Harte, born in Ireland, and Eliza Meakins, born in Montreal, Canada. Her husband was Frances Fredrich Miles. Her age at death was 82 years, 5 months, 10 days. Her usual residence was Pullman, Whitman County, Washington, and she had lived in the United States for 62 years. She had been in St. Ignatius Hospital in Colfax for 19 days. The informant was Ella Miles Schafer. Ada's cause of death was cardio-respiratory failure due to cerebral hemorrhage due to hypertension and senility. [49]


1945 Ada Miles Obituary
Chicago Tribune, Chicago, Illinois, April 15, 1945. [50]


Footnotes:

[1] Family Document, Letter from Edwin Schafer to his daughter Judith, 1968.

[2] Family Document, Letter from Edwin Schafer to his daughter Judith, 1968.

[3] United States Federal Census, 1880, [AncestryImage], [AncestryRecord].

[4] Ontario Marriages, 1869-1927, [FamilySearchImage], [FamilySearchRecord].

[5] Ontario, Canada, Marriages, 1826-1938, [AncestryImage], [AncestryRecord].

[6] Ontario Marriages, 1869-1927, [FamilySearchImage], [FamilySearchRecord].

[7] The Hamilton Spectator, Hamilton, Ontario, November 2, 1883, page 4, [NewspapersClip].

[8] The Hamilton Spectator, Hamilton, Ontario, November 3, 1883, page 4, [NewspapersClip].

[9] US City Directories, Chicago, Illinois, City Directory, 1885, [AncestryRecord], [AncestryImage].

[10] Cook County Recorder of Deeds, 118 North Clark Street, Chicago, Illinois, Tract Department, Book 351 C p. 265, document 794873.

[11] Cook County Recorder of Deeds, 118 North Clark Street, Chicago, Illinois, Tract Department, Book 351 C p. 265, documents 798774 and 798775. Document 789774 was recorded in book 2041, p. 13.

[12] Cook County Recorder of Deeds, 118 North Clark Street, Chicago, Illinois, Tract Department, Book 351 C p. 265, document 847795 (Miles), recorded July 5, document 841342 (Crosby), recorded June16.

[13] FamilySearch.org, [FamilySearchRecord].

[14] Chicago Voter Registration, [AncestryImage], [AncestryRecord].

[15] Cook County Recorder of Deeds, 118 North Clark Street, Chicago, Illinois, Tract Department, Book 351 C p. 265, document 1619142, recorded February 29, book 3648, p. 621.

[16] Cook County Recorder of Deeds, 118 North Clark Street, Chicago, Illinois, Tract Department, Book 351 C p. 265, document 1620484, Quit Claim, recorded March 2, book 3696, p. 632.

[17] Cook County Recorder of Deeds, 118 North Clark Street, Chicago, Illinois, Tract Department, Book 351 C p. 265, document 1620485, Quit Claim, recorded March 2, book 3696, p. 633.

[18] Ontario, Canada Births, 1869-1913, [AncestryImage], [AncestryRecord].

[19] Personal Communication, Judith Schafer Chevalley Hiss and John Francis Schafer.

[20] Chicago Tribune, Chicago, Illinois, November 22, 1895, page 5, [NewspapersClip].

[21] The Inter Ocean, Chicago, Illinois, November 22, 1895, page 2, [NewspapersClip].

[22] The Chicago Chronicle, Chicago, Illinois, November 17, 1895, page 25, [NewspapersClip].

[23] Chicago Tribune, Chicago, Illinois, November 17, 1895, page 34, [NewspapersClip].

[24] FamilySearch.org, Certificate no. 00001235, [FamilySearchRecord].

[25] Illinois State Archives, Illinois Statewide Death Index, Name of decedent: Douglas R MIles, certificate 00001235, [Illinois_Archives].

[26] Find A Grave Memorial 135016456, [FindAGrave].

[27] Personal Communication, Judith Schafer Chevalley Hiss.

[28] Cook County, Illinois Death Index, 1878-1922 (Illinois Department of Public Health, extracted by FamilySearch, Salt Lake City, Utah, 2010), [AncestryRecord].

[29] FamilySearch.org, Certificate no. 00012041, [FamilySearchRecord].

[30] Find A Grave Memorial 135016644, [FindAGrave].

[31] The Chicago Chronicle, Chicago, Illinois, April 17, 1896, page 7, [NewspapersClip].

[32] United States Federal Census, 1900, [AncestryImage], [AncestryRecord].

[33] United States Federal Census, 1900, [AncestryImage], [AncestryRecord].

[34] United States Federal Census, 1900, [FamilySearchImage].

[35] The Inter Ocean, Chicago, Illinois, November 24, 1900, page 5, [NewspapersClip].

[36] Chicago Tribune, Chicago, Illinois, November 26, 1900, page 3, [NewspapersClip].

[37] Colorado Plains to Peaks Historic Newspapers, p. 3, col. 2, [Colorado Newspaper Archive].

[38] Canada Census, 1901, [AncestryImage], [AncestryRecord].

[39] Cook County Recorder of Deeds, 118 North Clark Street, Chicago, Illinois, Tract Department, Book 351 C p. 265, document 4438961, Warranty Deed, recorded September 17.

[40] The Inter Ocean, Chicago, Illinois, September 19, 1909, page 18, [NewspapersClip].

[41] United States Federal Census, 1910, [AncestryImage], [AncestryRecord].

[42] United States Federal Census, 1910, lines 46-50 and next page lines 51-53, [FamilySearchImage], [FamilySearchRecord].

[43] United States Federal Census, 1920, [AncestryImage], [AncestryRecord].

[44] National Archives and Records Administration (NARA), Passport Applications, January 2, 1906 - March 31, 1925, U.S. Passport Applications, 1795-1925, Roll 2093 - Certificates: 216226-216599, 01 Sep 1922-05 Sep 1922, [AncestryImage].

[45] Chronicling America, Historic American Newspapers, Library of Congress, The Pullman Herald, Friday, October 06, 1922, p. 2, "Local Happenings," col. 2 center, [NewsChroniclingAmerica].

[46] New York, Passenger Lists, 1820-1957, Roll 3455, 1924, Manifest Line Number: 0006, [AncestryImage], [AncestryRecord].

[47] United States Federal Census, 1930, [AncestryImage], [AncestryRecord].

[48] United States Federal Census, 1940, [AncestryImage], [AncestryRecord].

[49] Washington Death Certificates, 1907-1960, [FamilySearchImage], [FamilySearchRecord].

[50] Chicago Tribune, Chicago, Illinois, April 15, 1945, page 32, [NewspapersClip].