Alice Greenleaf Schenck, Peter and Mary Halenbeck Greenleaf of New Jersey and Sons Peter and Joseph of Illinois: Also Kinfolk (Schenck, 1985), ..from pages 13&14…

Joseph (2) married the second time 19 Jan. 1868, again in Mt. Sterling,

Illinois, to Maria Elvira (Moses) Miller. She was the widow of Amzia Miller, a

potter of Ripley, Illinois. The Millers were married in Summit County, Ohio,

where Maria Elvira was born 3 Oct. 1821. The Amzia Miller family had come to

Illinois, early in 1850 by way of Montgomery County, Indiana (near Crawfordsville).

Maria Elvira's Miller children were: Bowradin (Bowredden) (5-1850), d.

27 May 1907; Isaac Washington, (1847-1927); Rozella Marie, b. May 1850-d. 28

Oct. 1928; Lanona (Nona) (8-1860); Polly Jane, b. 10 Aug. 1854-d. 27 Nov. 1916;

Sarah, (3-1860). when the families united, both with young children at home, a

large family resulted. It must have been a real home; children of both sides of

the family visited often, lived at home for a time, or lived nearby. Grandchildren

referred fondly to "Grandma" and "Grandpa."

Joseph (2) was a member of the Christian Church, became a Mason in his

younger years and "politically was a supporter of Democratic principles."

Stories are told which indicate the colorful nature of Joseph's character, his

adventures and relationships with neighbors and relatives. Joseph (2) was a

medium height, about 5'10" tall, with straight coal black hair and black eyes.

Family members thought that his grandson, Roscoe Cleveland (4) (see 54) bore a

striking resemblance to Joseph (2).

Maria Elvira left a legend of being industrious, artistic and ambidextrous.

She loved bright colors. The story is told that she was once scolded by a

daughter for wearing a brightly colored dress to the Old Settlers Picnic (an

annual event in Plymouth, Illinois). A granddaughter described it: "Grandma's

dress was yellow, mustard colored yellow, with purple pansies on it. She had a

yellow belt and purple collar. She won a prize for having the prettiest dress

at Old Settlers." It is believed that Maria Elvira is wearing the dress in the

only known picture of her.

…

During their declining years, various relatives of Joseph (2) and Maria

lived with them. A grandson, Joseph Peter (4) Greenleaf (see 45) and a granddaughter

of Maria Elvira's, Nona Alta Sell were employed there to take care of

the grandparents. The step-cousins married on 17 Jan. 1899 and continued to

live there until sometime after June 1900. Peter (3) (see 9) bought a farm

about one-and-one-half miles southeast of his father's farm in 1904. while they

were building a new house on the farm, Peter (3) and his family lived with his

parents and took care of them. Margaret Ann (Maggie) Stockwell, who later

married Peter's son John Whittier (4), (see 50) was also living there to help

with the housework. Joseph's (2) daughter Louia Alice (3) (see 12) and

Nathaniel (3) Greenleaf (see 8) were living with the Greenleafs when Joseph (2)

died at home 31 July 1905, age 87 years, 3 months and 7 days. He is buried with

his wife, two children and mother-in-law in the family plot in the Cemetery,

Vermont, Illinois.

After Joseph (2) died, Maria made her home with a granddaughter, Effie

(Mansier) Stoner in Birmingham where she died 8 Nov. 1909, aged 88 years, one

month and seven days. She is buried in Round Prairie (formerly Round Top)

Cemetery in the far northwest corner of the township (mailing address is

Plymouth, Illinois, which often leads to confusion). A small gravestone, inscribed

Maria Moses Miller marks the grave on the Joseph Peter (4) Greenleaf

plot.