Beckwith, H.W. History of Fountain County, Indiana. Chicago: HH Hill, 1881, p. 149.
"Troy Twp." W.H. MILES, merchant, Covington, was born in Troy Township,
Fountain County in 1841, and is the son of Gabriel and Ruth (Alkire) Miles, who settled in
Fountain County in the Fall of 1835. He was brought up on a farm and received his early
education in the district schools. When grown to man's estate he engaged in farming on
his own account and followed it, as a business until 1875, when he and his brother, J.R.
Miles, engaged in the mercantile trade and were associated together for one year, since
which time he has conducted the business alone. At the democratic convention for the
nomination of candidated for election to the county offices in October 1880, he was
nominated their candidate for county treasurer, and was only defeated by about a dozen
votes. He would undoubtedly have been elected had not unfair measures been taken to
secure his defeat. Mr. Miles is an energetic and enterprising man, who has a large circle
of friends, and who, in the buiding up and establishing a good business, has been wholly
dependent upon his own resources. He is a member of the oder of A.F. & A.M . and is
at present filling the following offices: captain of the host in the chapter, principal
conductor of the work int he council and junior warden int he blue lodge. he is also a
membr of the order of K. of P.