Esta Maria (Miller) Redden was born on February 5, 1877, in Prescott, Yavapai County, Arizona Territory. She was the daughter of Leroy “Roll” Daniel and Rachel Catherine Maria (Wiebrecht) Miller and the great niece of Sam Miller, after whose family Miller Valley, Yavapai County, was named. Esta was elected Secretary of the newly founded Epworth League Society (a youth group of the South Methodist Church) in Skull Valley, Yavapai County, in August 1894. She graduated from Prescott High School in 1895, took the county examination for teachers, and taught one year in Williamson Valley, Yavapai County. While there, she lived with the Koontz family. The Arizona Journal-Miner noted (exact date unverifiable), “Miss Esta M. Miller closed her first term of school in Lower Williamson Valley district recently. She has been offered the school for next term. (Glad to hear it. No higher compliment can be paid a teacher’s work than the offer of a reengagement, unless it be the offer at an increased salary. – Ed.)” In the fall of 1896 she went to Tempe, Maricopa County, Arizona Territory, to attend the Normal School. There she met her future husband, Monroe Redden (1875-1943), a young merchant of Tempe. She became ill before the school term was over and had to return home. Esta and Monroe were married on August 18, 1897, in Skull Valley. The couple lived in Skull Valley for a time and then moved to Prescott. Monroe became an employee of the O.K. Store (and later the proprietor). Their first daughter, Rachel Delilah Redden, was born May 14, 1898. Esta and Monroe, as tenants, were living in the old Capitol (the Governor’s Mansion), when their second daughter, Esta Miller Redden, was born on June 15, 1900. Esta Maria passed away when the baby was eight days old, on June 22, 1900. She was buried in Mountain View Cemetery in Prescott. Donors: Esta Miller (Redden) Winchester and Rachel Delilah (Redden) Koontz Photo Found: Yavapai County People & Family Collection, PC-50 - Werring Family Updated: 12/29/17, Tom Collins
