My Genealogy Hound

MILES FIERO, one of the most prominent men of Eaton township, Kearney county, was born in New York, December 11, 1838. His parents were John and Nancy (Comcross) Fiero, both of whom were natives of New York. His father was a farmer and died in 1847.

At the age of eighteen, the subject of this sketch began farming for himself. Five years later he responded to his country’s call by shouldering a musket and joining the Union army. He joined the One Hundred and Thirty-eighth regiment New York volunteer infantry, in August, 1862, but was transferred in about three months to the Ninth New York heavy artillery. He saw service at the battle of North Ann river, and was with the Army of the Potomac in the battle of the Wilderness, but was not in the engagement himself. He was also at Cold Harbor, where he was wounded by a minie-ball in the left leg, just above the ankle. He was sent home on furlough, where he lay under the doctor’s care for one hundred and twenty days, when he reported back to New York hospital, and was mustered out June 6, 1865. He hobbled about on crutches, about eight years in all, and his left leg was amputated twenty-three years after it was shattered by a rebel bullet.

Mr. Fiero came to Nebraska in the spring of 1874, taking a soldier’s homestead in Kearney. The entire county was scarcely settled at that time and cast only forty-four votes. He was a victim of the grasshopper raid, and like hundreds of others saw his corn crop dissappear before the army of hoppers in a remarkably short space of time. During those dark days Mr. Fiero was obliged to go to Kansas for corn to feed his horses.

Our subject was married, October 4, 1857, to Jane E. Tiffany, who is a native of Ontario county, New York. Four children have been born to this union, viz. — Emma Jane, born January 16, 1860, now the wife of John D. Jones; John Miles, born November, 1862; Hattie Belle, born May, 1866, now the wife of Stanley Carpenter, and Carrie Alice, born August, 1869, wife of W. D. Howard.

Mr. Fiero has served as justice of the peace for several years and is now postmaster of the village of Hartwell, having been appointed in December, 1889. He is a member of the A. F. and A. M., also the G. A. R., and is a republican. He came to Hartwell in 1884 and engaged in the implement business, but is now in the groceiy business and enjoys the good will of everybody in the town and community in which he lives.