Herbert’s Obituary Herbert L. Miles Jr. 99, of Groveton, died peacefully on Tuesday, February 5, 2019, at his home after a lengthy illness with his loving wife by his side. Woodrow Wilson was the president when Herb was born on Jan. 13, 1920.
His mother, Ethel Hunter, married Ellery Miles of Albany, Vermont and together they had 7 children. Ellery died unexpectedly from a fall and his brother, Herbert Miles Sr. then married Ethel and took over the young family. Herbert Miles Jr. was the first to be born into the newly formed family.
Herbert Sr. worked for a farmer in Sheffield Vermont and lived in an old farmhouse that he had just purchased. As many old farmhouses were during the early 1900s, the old windows were not airtight. Herb was born with snow blowing onto the bed.
. tough and determined. Wanting a better life for his growing family, Herbert Sr. moved his family to Stark, NH in hopes of getting work in the Groveton Paper Mill.
That was in 1922 when young Herb (Bub) was two. Work was sporadic at the mill and Herbert Sr supplemented his income by farming and working in the woods. Ethel was the enforcer in the house and her cooking was second to none.
Growing up in rural Stark, had its challenges but young Herbert never noticed. At 6 he was in charge of starting the new gas operated Maytag washer. He would check the spark plug, put the exhaust hose out of the window, and put the drain hose in the mud sink on Monday…laundry day for his mother.
Churning milk was another job that was not his favorite. He could not wait until the cream would “break” and thus the buttermilk was separated. The dinner table featured all of the family and a conspicuous number of “friends” from town.
Those living in town did not have access to garden space and were often very hungry due to the failing economy. Ethel never turned anyone away from a meal, often adding quarts of water and dumplings to a simmering stew to accommodate the growing number of famished diners. Another victim of the great depression was the “hobos” (men who had lost their jobs due to the economy and rode the rails looking for work) Rumors traveled throughout the “hobo” community that a good meal was assured by sitting on the back step of Ethel Mile’s house.
Often times, there was also a “hobo” sleeping in the barn until the next train came through. Herb Sr. kept up with current events through a unique delivery system. As the train ambled by their house, the conductor would throw the Boston Post onto the field to be retrieved by one of the family members.
Ethel, too, was no stranger to current events and had belonged to a Ladies Society, working toward getting women the right to vote. Herb was 7 months old when the 19th amendment was ratified. In 2016, Herb honored his mother’s efforts when he cast his presidential vote.
Herb’s 6th great grandfather, William settled in Canterbury, NH as a scout under British rule before the Revolutionary War. William’s son, Josiah, and grandson William were active in the fight for our freedom in the Revolution. They were Herb’s 5th and 4th great grandfather.
Herb’s 2nd great grandfather was in the Civil war with the Vermont 1st regiment. In 1942 Herb entered World War II with The 106th Cavalry Group Regiment. As they were lightly armed, they scouted ahead to fix enemy locations.
For over a year, they fought through France, Luxembourg, Germany, and Austria, earning 5 campaign streamers and the Croix de Guerre from Charles de Gaulle. As they lead the Allied advance across the Rhine, they were the first unit to attack a town south of the Siegfried Line. After the war, Herb came home to marry his longtime sweetheart, Edith Deyette, worked as an electrician at the Groveton mill, built a home, worked on camps, hunted, fished, snowmobiled, and loved life.
After Edith’s passing, Herb met and married Deborah Tilley. He often joked that he had been married 71 years…43 with Edith and 28 with Deb. His sense of humor, generosity, love, and kindness will be greatly missed.
He was a member of the American Legion, VFW, Stark Union Church pew owner, and a member of The Sons of the Revolution. Left to mourn his passing is his wife, Deb, as well as nieces, Dolores Antonino of E. Wareham, Ma. , Reta Gibson of Groveton, NH, Linda Conley of Derry, NH , Patricia Fluery of Stafford Ct, and Linda Magoni of Gilman, Vermont, and nephews, Larry Miles of Wilson Mills, Maine, Sherwood Thibodeau of Tolland, Ct, and Ronnie Magoni of Gilman, Vermont.
Those who predeceased him were his parents, Herb, and Ethel, and all of his brothers and sisters, Glen Miles, Dean Miles, Ruth Merrill, Merle Thomas, Katherine Van Houten, Dale Magoni, Arlene Miles, Marion Miles, Virginia Rinaldi, Priscilla Miles, and 2 babies that died at birth. Nieces and nephews who predeceased him were, Glen Miles Jr, Beverly Hall, Marion Carter, George Merrill, and Roselyn Wheelock. The circle is no longer broken.
At Herb’s request, there will be no calling hours. Graveside service will be held on Thursday, May 30, 2019, at 11:00 am in the Northumberland Cemetery. Arrangements are entrusted to the Armstrong-Charron Funeral Home in Groveton.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made in Herb’s name to the St. Paul’s Episcopal Church; 113 Main St.; Lancaster, NH 03582. To send the family your condolences via the online register book, please visit, www.
If you found any mistakes, or you would like to add/remove to this obituary, please contact us by email: info@obituary.memorial. We never ask money for this.
