Tarlton C. Miles, Charleston, is a native of Franklin Co., Ky.; he was born near Frankfort, on the 18t of May, 1825; he is a son of Dr. James I. Miles, a physician of that county; his early life was spent in the subscription schools in his neighborhood; in 1845, he came to Coles Co. He was married Oct. 3, 1848, to Miss Sophia 0. Van Deren, a daughter of Joseph Van Deren, of Coles Co.; she was born in Cynthiana, Harrison Co., Ky., Jan. 18, 1829, and came to Illinois with her parents in 1835; they have six children living – Isaac J., William V., Ella M., Ida T., May R. and Tarlton V. Mr. Miles first engaged in farming in La Fayette Tp., owning a large quantity of land in the county; in 1855, he removed and began business as a general merchant, in which business he continued for about three years; in 1858, he removed with his family to Texas, with a view to engaging largely in stock-raising, but in 1860, it being apparent that a war between the two sections was inevitable and was fast approaching, he returned North, and engaged in the lumber business and in running a saw-mill near Milton Station; he continued his farming and stock operations until about five years ago. Mr. Miles is now in England, where he has been since September, 1878; owing to this, the foregoing sketch is far from complete, on account of a lack of detailed information. He has served the public in various offices of trust and responsibility, and always with entire satisfaction to the people.
