John Carson Miles was born in Weippe July 8, 1912. He was the youngest of six children born to Charles and Sarah Dereberry Miles. He grew up on the family farm on the Weippe prairie and attended the Wilson School on the prairie and Weippe Grade School. When he was a teenager, his family moved to Clarkston, WA, and he graduated from Clarkston High School in 1931.

As a young man, John worked for the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC), in the woods and hauling poles. He spent a brief time working for Boeing in Seattle, Wash., after which he served in the U.S. Army during World War II.

He and Vivian returned to Weippe in 1942 and he again worked in the woods and lumbermills for the next few years. He also was a school bus driver.

The couple purchased the Jacobson Ranch, 'Whispering Pines Ranch', bordering the place of his birth and childhood. The spent the next 40 years operating their dairy farm. in partnership with their son, Grant. John had a passion for caring for and doctoring his livestock, often spending more time at the barn than at the house. He was chosen Clearwater Grassman of the Year in 1967. In 1992 he and Vivian were honored as the grand marshals of the Weippe Rodeo. The couple retired in 1993 when they sold their dairy herd.

John was a great outdoorsman, avid hunter and enjoyed the mountains, especially the Austin Ridge area where he set up his hunting camps.

He loved music, played the harmonica and spent hours enjoying Vivian's musical talents on the piano and organ. He was always easy to located as he whistled a happy tune going went about his chores, often running from place to place.

John enjoyed his grandchildren and great grandchildren, especially the four generations of his family working and playing together on the ranch. He was also supportive of their sports involvements.

He closed the final chapter of his life on Oct. 20, 2010 in Orofino at the age of 98.

(Information from the Clearwater Tribune Obituaries and Clearwater Reflections Spring 1988)

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