William W. MILLER, a representative young business man of Shillington, Pa., dealing in machinery, tools, dies and specialties, was born in the house in which he now resides, Oct. 26, 1870, son of William H. MILLER.
Nicholas MILLER, great-grandfather of William W., was a laborer of Adamstown, and was twice married. Daniel MILLER, his son, was a blacksmith by trade, and also followed agricultural pursuits near Adamstown, where he died at the age of seventy-one years. He and his wife had the following children: Abraham, who resides near Adamstown; Jeremiah, of that place; Joseph, Elias, Daniel, John, all deceased; Caroline m. Samuel ZIMMERMAN, residing in Iowa; and William H., the father of William W.
William H. MILLER was born in 1836 in Lancaster county, and under his father learned the blacksmith trade, which he followed for a number of years. He was an expert tool maker, and one of his latest pieces of work was the making of the Bible stand in the Shillington Emanuel Reformed Church. For several years he engaged also in the mercantile business in Reading, Gouglersville and later at Shillington. He died at the age of forty-six years, and is buried at Gouglersville. Mr. MILLER'S first marriage was to a Miss BURKHOLDER, of Bowmansville, and to this union there were born twelve children, the only survivor of whom is Reuben, a cabinet-maker of Millmont, Berks county. He married (second) Lydia H. WHITE, daughter of William WHITE, and to this union was born one son, William W. Mr. and Mrs. MILLER were members of the Union Church of Allegheny, belonging to the Reformed denomination.
William W. MILLER secured his education in the local schools and the Scranton Correspondence school, taking up the mechanical course. In 1886 he accepted a position at the Penn Hardware Company, in the machine department, remaining there for a period of four years, after which he went to St. Louis and Chicago for more experience. He remained in the West for one year and then returned to Reading, where he was employed at the Reading Hardware Company for three years. For twelve years he worked at the Chantrell Tool Company, at Millmont, Berks county, the last few years being master mechanic there. In 1900 he built his present shop, sixteen by thirty-six feet, two stories high, and engaged in business on his own account, manufacturing tools, machinery, dies and specialties, and also being the inventor of the large seller "Perfect Spark Timer," for automobiles. He employs three skilled workmen and has a large and increasing business.
Mr. MILLER married Maggie G. FRITZ, daughter of John FRITZ, and to this union have been born these children: Edna E., William A., Elwood A., Margaret and Floyd M. Mr. MILLER is a member of the Gouglersville Lutheran Church, has served that church as deacon and has also taken an active part in Sunday school work. He is a member of the Reading Tent of Maccabees. He was at one time a member of the National Guards, Co. A, 4th Pa., was in camp with his company at Columbia, Gettysburg and Mt. Gretna, and holds the record of his company as a marksman, having made forty-nine targets out of a possible fifty on the Shillington range. He is greatly interested in movements for the advancement of Shillington, having been prominent in the movement to have Shillington made into a borough, and he is considered one of the substantial and public-spirited business men of the place.
Rev. Benneville H. MILLER, M. D., a retired minister of the United Evangelical Church of the East Pennsylvania Conference, who is now engaged in the practice of medicine at Mohnton, Pa., was born June 30, 1842, in Cumru township, Berks county, son of Jonathan and Cassie (HORNBERGER) MILLER.
Daniellie (Daniel) MILLER, the American ancestor of this well-known family, crossed the Atlantic ocean on the good ship "Patience," Capt. Hugh STEEL, from Rotterdam, via Cowes, and landed at Philadelphia, Aug. 11, 1750. He was married (first) to a Miss HANAGY, by whom he had no children, and he went to Germany for his second wife, being married, in about 1758, to Veronica MISHLER, who was born in 1736. She bore him the following children: Christian, born Feb. 17, 1760; Elizabeth, born Sept. 20, 1762; Jacob, born July 19, 1764; Abraham, born May 13, 1766, who became an Amish minister, married Anna HOSTEDLER, and had six children: Christian, Sarah (m. Christian WISLEY, an Amish minister), Daniel, Catherine (m. Christian YODER, an Amish minister), Magdalena (m. Jacob MAST), and Susan (m. (first) Peter PETERSHINE and (second) John REMP); Susanna, born Oct. 17, 1767; Fanny, born Sept. 18, 1769; Barbara, born Jan. 12, 1774; and Magdalena, born Sept. 21, 1776.
Christian MILLER, grandfather of Rev. Benneville H., was born Feb. 17, 1760, and died Feb. 10, 1832, being buried in a private cemetery on the old MILLER homestead at Shillington, in Cumru township. He became a minister of the Amish Church, and was beloved and esteemed by all who knew him. On June 1, 1783, Rev. MILLER was married to Catherine KURTZ, born Aug. 27, 1761, who died April 20, 1837, the mother of these children: Abraham, born April 2, 1784, died Oct. 19, 1831; Polly, born Oct. 10, 1785, died April 26, 1867; Elizabeth, born Aug. 31, 1787, m. John PLANK, and died Dec. 21, 1874; Daniel, born April 9, 1790, m. Catherine KERLING, and had eight children --Elizabeth, Susan, Christian, Daniel, Catherine, Samuel (who has Charles), Harry and Mrs. Jacob KESSLER; Catherine, born Sept. 27, 1797, m. Solomon ZOOK, of Tulpehocken township; Isaac, born July 18, 1802,, m. Molly WADEMAN, had four daughters, and died Oct. 2, 1876; Hannah, born March 18, 1805, m. in 1822 Stephen MAST, born in 1800, died in 1868, and they had ten children; Jonathan was born Nov. 12, 1807.
Jonathan MILLER was born on his father's farm in Cumru township, Nov. 12, 1807, and was a lifelong farmer where Shillington is now situated, owning 211 acres of excellent farm land, most of which is now divided into building lots. He was possessed of considerable means, and was a man of high worth and sterling traits of character. Mr. MILLER was a member of the Amish Church, while his wife was of the Reformed Church, and both rest from their labors in Dr. B. H. MILLER'S vault in the Mohnton cemetery. Jonathan MILLER married Cassia HORNBERGER, daughter of Conrad and Elizabeth (MOSSER) HORNBERGER, and to them were born children as follows: Henry m. Mary GEBHART; Jonathan, of Mohnton, m. (first) Mary GAUL, and (second) Mary FLEISCHER; Benneville H.; Mary m. Owen DEEDS, of Shillington; Franklin lives at Shillington, unmarried; Sarah m. Curtis RICHMOND, of Terre Hill; Daniel m. Amanda KUSER, deceased, of Lancaster county, Pa.; and Catherine m. Alvin DIETRICH, of Yellow House, Pennsylvania.
Rev. Benneville H. MILLER spent his youth on his father's farm, and his early educational advantages were secured in the public schools of his native township. In his sixteenth year he learned the milling trade, and was employed in the same for four years. He served as a local minister from 1868 to 1871, in the latter year entering the itinerancy of the Evangelical Church. Shortly thereafter he was appointed by the East Pennsylvania Conference to the Kutztown circuit, which then comprised the following places: Kutztown, Fleetwood, Blandon, Pricetown, Friedensburg, Pleasantville, Rockland, Richland, Wessnerville, Kistlers Valley and Albany. In 1872 he was appointed to Hamburg Mission, in 1873 was appointed to Mahantango circuit in Schuylkill county, serving three years; in 1876 to Uniontown; in 1879 to Allentown; in 1882 to Emaus; in 1885 to Cressona; in 1887 to Mohnsville, in 1890 to Mahanoy City, and in 1893 to Weissport, and it was while serving the latter charge that his health failed completely. The long, arduous service had undermined his strength, strained his nervous system and robbed him of his voice. He was compelled, therefore, to resign, and shortly afterward removed to Philadelphia. After recuperation, he entered Hahnemann Medical College as a student, and three years later attended the Southern Homeopathic Medical College, from which he was graduated in 1899. He immediately settled at Mohnton, Pa., where he has since been engaged in the practice of his profession. Dr. MILLER took also a special course at the Philadelphia Lying-In Hospital of Practical Obstetrics, and he is an electropath of note, in which practice he has been very successful. Dr. MILLER resides on Church street, Mohnton, where he owns a fine modern residence, purchased by him in 1899. He also owns two other dwelling houses within the borough of Mohnton. In politics the Doctor is independent, voting not for the party, but for the man. He cast his first vote in 1860 for Abraham Lincoln, and in 1861, on that great President's call for 75,000 volunteers, he shouldered a musket in defense of his country, enlisting under Capt. MCKNIGHT in Company E, 42d P. V. I. Socially the Doctor is connected with the Sr. O. U. A. M., of Mohnton. He and his family are members of Zion's United Evangelical Church of Mohnton, and Mrs. MILLER is an active member of the Women's Christian Temperance Union, Women's Missionary and Ladies' Aid societies, doing much in various ways to assist in the work of the church.
On Nov. 29, 1866, Dr. MILLER was united in marriage with Emmeline OVERHOLSER, former school teacher of Lancaster county, where she taught school three terms. She is the daughter of the late Rev. Isaac and Mary (LANDIS) OVERHOLSER, of Terre Hill, Lancaster county, the former a pastor of the United Evangelical Church. To Dr. and Mrs. MILLER have been born four children: Dr. Martin L. is mentioned elsewhere; Myra L. m. Henry STAUFFER, former manager of the Hershey Manufacturing Company, at Manheim, Pa., but who left for Oregon in October, 1908, and has two children, Miriam and Russell, Celia E., born Feb. 1, 1875, died March 31, 1877; and Matthew A., born May 7, 1879, died Jan. 27, 1884.
Samuel L. KURTZ, M. D., is well known through Berks county, both as a physician and surgeon of skill, and as a survivor of the great Civil war. He was born Sept. 27, 1832, son of Samuel and Mary (LONGACKRE) KURTZ.
Joseph KURTZ, paternal grandfather of the Doctor, was born in Chester county, Pa. On Oct. 19, 1787, he married Fannie MILLER, and their children were: John, born Sept. 23, 1788; Abraham, Nov. 27, 1789; Joseph, Jan 10, 1791; Henry, July 19, 1792; Barbara, Aug. 5, 1793; Leah, Sept. 19, 1794; Samuel, Nov. 12, 1795; Elizabeth, Nov. 25, 1796; David, Jan. 30, 1798; Isaac, Feb. 22, 1799; Frances, May 4, 1800; Christian, Nov. 8, 1801; Jacob, Oct. 1, 1802; Daniel, Jan. 22; 1804; Anna, March 20, 1805; Jacob, Oct. 25, 1806; Susannah, May 25, 1808; Daniel (2), Aug. 1, 1809; and Susannah (2), July 1, 1812. The family were members of the Mennonite Church. Joseph KURTZ died March 18, 1815.
Samuel KURTZ, father of the Doctor, was born in Chester county, Nov 12, 1795, and his education was obtained in the common schools. Upon reaching his majority he turned his attention to farming, a vocation he followed for many years in Pikeland township. In 1834 he removed to Juniata county, where he operated a farm for six or seven years at East Salem, and there he died April 23, 1883. His first wife, who was a daughter of Jacob LONGACKRE, died in the prime of life. She was the mother of Joseph, born Aug. 22, 1819; Jacob, born Aug. 1, 1822; Annie, born Dec. 18, 1825, married William CROSS; Samuel (1) born Oct. 24, 1829; Dr. Samuel L., born Sept. 27, 1832; Mary, born March 14, 1836, married George D. TAYLOR. This branch of the family were Methodists. After the death of his first wife Mr. KURTZ married Mary MILLER , by whom one child was born, Fannie, who became the wife of George D. TAYLOR, the father of Dr. TAYLOR, of Reading. Samuel KURTZ'S third wife was Mary JACOBS. No children were born to the last marriage.
Samuel L. KURTZ was educated in the schools of Juniata county, and in old Trappe Seminary, now Ursinus College. Later he read medicine with Dr. Henry GEIGER, of Montgomery county, and in 1851 entered Jefferson Medical College, Philadelphia, from which he was graduated in 1854. His first field of practice was at Phoenixville, Pa., where he remained two years, and then removed to Oakland Mills, Juniata county, remaining there until the fall of 1861, when he was appointed assistant surgeon of the Eleventh Pennsylvania Reserve Corps. He continued to full that position until June, 1862, when he was promoted to surgeon of the 85th Pa. V. I., with which regiment he remained until Nov. 22, 1864, when, at the expiration of the term of service of the regiment, he was honorable discharged. He settled in Reading, locating at No. 340 South Fifth street, and his present office is at No. 412 South Fifth street.
The Doctor is a member of the American Medical Association; of the Pennsylvania State Medical Society, of which in 1891 he served as president; and of the Berks County Medical Society, serving his second term as its president. He is also a member of the Reading Medical Association. He was one of the original members of the board of trustees of the Reading Hospital, and has served upon its staff since its organization. He is a member of the board of health, and is examiner for a number of life insurance companies. Fraternally, he is connected with the Masons, being a member of Phoenix Lodge, F. & A. M., and past master. He belongs to Keim Post, G. A. R., and to the Military Order of the Loyal Legion of the U. S. Commandery of Pennsylvania.
Dr. KURTZ married, in 1854, Miss Sarah MORGAN, and to this union three children have been born: Dr. J. Ellis, a graduate of Jefferson Medical College, is a physician and surgeon at Reading; Georgeine married Nicholas H. MUHLENBERG; and Clarence M., also a graduate of the Jefferson Medical College of Philadelphia, practising at Reading. Dr. KURTZ is a Republican in politics, and was one of the Harrison electors in 1888. He is a vestryman in St., Barnabas Episcopal Church.
Mark E. RITTENHOUSE, a farmer and truck grower of Briarcreek township, Columbia county, was born in that township June 8, 1856, son of Enoch and Catherine (KITCHEN) RITTENHOUSE.
The first of the RITTENHOUSE family in America came to this country in 1732 and it is an old and honored family of Pennsylvania. A number of its members have become distinguished in various lines of endeavor, prominent among whom may be mentioned David RITTENHOUSE, the great American astronomer, who was a second cousin of the grandmother of Mark E. RITTENHOUSE. He was born near Philadelphia, Pa., April 8, 1732, and died April 26 1796. He worked on his father's farm up to the age of nineteen years, when he became a clockmaker thus drifting into the making of mathmatical instruments. It is said that when he had his first sight of the heavens through a telescope he fainted. In 1770 he completed, from an improved model devised by himself, an orrery, a planetary machine to illustrate and explain the motions of the heavenly bodies. He was elected a member of the American Philosophical Society in 1768 and in 1769 made an observation of the transit of Venus. He was treasurer of Pennsylvania from 1777 to 1789, was professor of astronomy in the University of Pennsylvania from 1779 to 1782, was professor of astronomy in the University of Pennsylvania from 1779 to 1782, director of the United States Mint at Philadelphia from 1792 to 1795, was elected a fellow of the Royal Society of London in 1796, and was president of the American Philosophical Society from 1790 until his death.
William RITTENHOUSE, the great-grandfather of Mark E. RITTENHOUSE, emigrated to America with his brother Nicholas and sister Elizabeth, and settled in Columbia county. Nicholas settled in Germantown, Pa., while Elizabeth passed away soon after coming to this country.
Henry RITTENHOUSE, son of William RITTENHOUSE, and grandfather of Mark E. RITTENHOUSE, was born in Briarcreek township, Columbia Co., Pa., Sept. 7, 1792, and died April 2, 1878: he was buried at Berwick, Pa. He was educated in the public schools of his home locality, receiving such advantages as could be obtained during the short winter terms, and in the meantime assisting his father with the work of the homestead. He was reared to agricultural pursuits, in which he engaged on his own account on attaining manhood, and became the owner of 240 acres of land, which comprised nearly all of what is now Briarcreek settlement, the old homestead farm being now occupied by Milton CROOKS. He married Rachel HUTTON, daughter of James and Hannah (LEE) HUTTON, the latter the daughter of Anthony and Mary LEE. Anthony LEE was born near Mansfield, Nottinghamshire, England, and came to Pennsylvania in his twenty-second year, soon after becoming a member of the Society of Friends. He died in Oley township, Berks Co., Pa., Dec. 12, 1763, in his eighty-fifth year. Mary, his wife, died Feb. 8, 1764, in her seventy-first year. The children of Anthony and Mary LEE were as follows: Thomas, born May 31, 1715, died March 15, 1791, married in 1736 Eleanor, daughter of Thomas and Jane (HUGHES) ELLIS; Sarah, born Aug. 29, 1717, died Dec. 22, 1754, married Henry WILLETS; John, born Nov. 21, 1719, died Aug. 10, 1803, married Jane HUGHES and (second) Ann EDWARDS; Samuel, born April 7, 1722, died March 10, 1802, married Margaret HUGHES; Mary, born Sept. 13, 1724, died April 15, 1793, married John WILEY and (second) Owen HUGHES; Hannah, born Jan. 19, 1727, died Aug. 25, 1818, married James HUTTON; Esther was born June 26, 1730; Mordecai, born Oct. 16, 1733, died Sept. 18, 1812, married Deborah STARR and (second) Mary REED.
The children born to Henry and Rachel (HUTTON) RITTENHOUSE were as follows: Ann and Enoch, deceased; Mary, who married John RITTENHOUSE, of Canada, both deceased; Sarah, who married William HEDDINGS, both deceased; William, who married Eliza VARNER, both deceased; Nehemiah, who married Minerva DIETRICH, both deceased; Uzila, who married John MAUSTELLOR, both deceased; Hannah, who married Wesley FREAS, both deceased; Morris, who married Effie BRITTON, deceased; Elizabeth, deceased, who married a Mr. KLINE, of Michigan; and Margaret, deceased, who married a Mr. HULL. The parents were buried in Pine Grove cemetery, Berwick, Pa., the mother having passed away Aug. 17, 1872, at the age of seventy-nine years. They were Quakers in religious faith, and the father was a Republican in his political views.
Enoch RITTENHOUSE, son of Henry RITTENHOUSE, and father of Mark E. RITTENHOUSE, was born in Briarcreek township, Columbia Co., Pa., Nov. 7, 1820, and died Sept. 1, 1901, aged eighty years, nine months, twenty-four days. He was educated in the schools of Briarcreek township, and proved an earnest and attentive scholar, making the most of his opportunities and storing a wealth of knowledge in his mind. He was brought up on the homestead and worked for his father until his marriage, following which he operated one of his properties for several years an then rented the BOWMAN farm, a tract of 150 acres, where his son Mark was born. He lived on this farm for one year and then, in partnership with Henry BRITTON, bought the farm of eighty-eight acres known as the HUGHES estate, but not long thereafter sold his interest to his partner and rented the Rev. W. T. D. CLEM farm. After spending fourteen years on this land, at the time of his father's death he returned to the homestead for one year, and then moved to the farm now occupied by his son Mark E., and remained there until his death. This property originally contained fifty-four acres, and was owned by Peter WENNER and Neddie STALL. Enoch RITTENHOUSE married Catherine KITCHEN, of Greenwood township, Columbia Co., Pa., who died Feb. 13, 1906, aged eighty-four years, two months, twenty-four days. Their children were: Alem, who married Normanda KROMER, and lives on the old homestead; Samantha J., who married Clem MARTEENY, of Berwick, Pa.; and Mark E. Mr. RITTENHOUSE was a Republican, and served fifteen years in the capacity of overseer of the poor. He was Methodist in religious belief, as was his wife, and both are buried in Pine Grove cemetery, at Berwick.
Mark E. RITTENHOUSE received his education in the schools of Briarcreek township, where he secured a liberal education during the winter terms while assisting his father on the home farm during the remainder of the year. At the time of his marriage he removed with his father to the STALL farm, where he resided for fifteen years, and then came to the farm which he now owns.
Mr. RITTENHOUSE was married to Mrs. Sarah (HOCKMAN) CHRISTIAN, and to this union have been born three children; Laura Samantha, who married William YOHE and lives in West Berwick, has two children, George, and Boyd Alem; Emma Catherine lives at home; Isadora, who married William FISCHER, of West Berwick, has one child, Mark R. Mr. RITTENHOUSE has recently disposed of a part of his land, and is now engaged in farming and trucking a tract of eleven acres. He is industrious, enterprising and modern in his methods, and has won material success and position. He is a Republican, but not a politician, although always ready to give his support to good men and measures. His fraternal connection is with the Order of the Owls, and his religious association with the First Methodist Church of Berwick. During his long residence in Briarcreek township he has formed a wide acquaintance, in which he numbers many warm personal friends.
Mrs. Sarah RITTENHOUSE was born at Reading, Pa., March 3, 1858, was educated in the schools of Berwick, Pa., and remained at home until the time of her first marriage, in 1879, to Dr. T. H. CHRISTIAN. One child was born to this union, Harry O. CHRISTIAN, who married Ella SPONNENBERG and lives in Briarcreek township.
Henry HOCKMAN, the grandfather of Mrs. RITTENHOUSE, died in Northumberland, Northumberland Co., Pa., about 1840, and was buried there. He was married to Mrs. Catherine (MULL) DIEHL, the widow of Jacob DIEHL. She came from Shoemakersville, Pa., and four children were born to this union: John, deceased; Mary, deceased; Henry M.; and a child who died in infancy. Mrs. HOCKMAN was laid to rest in the Aulenbach cemetery, at Reading, Pennsylvania.
Henry M. HOCKMAN, son of Henry HOCKMAN, and father of Mrs. RITTENHOUSE, was born in Pottsville, Pa., April 8, 1838, and is now a resident of Centre township, Columbia county. As a lad he accompanied his parents to Northumberland county, and after his father's death went with his mother to Reading, where he attended school. Subsequently he learned the trade of cigarmaker and later went to Philadelphia, where he devoted himself assiduously to learning the machinist's trade, at which he worked for some time in the shipyard of James HOUSE. He remained in Philadelphia some three or four years, and then went to Wilkes-Barre, Pa., where he opened a tobacco store and manufactured cigars, in 1862 moving to Berwick, where he continued in the same line of business until 1873. Subsequently he embarked in the bakery business, which he continued to follow until his retirement in 1912. His first marriage was to Emma MILLER, who was born April 13, 1840; daughter of Daniel and Catherine (KIRLING) MILLER, and two children were born to this union; Sarah, Mrs. RITTENHOUSE; and Laura, who became the wife of M. G. SMITH, of Berwick. Mrs. HOCKMAN died in 1886, at the age of forty-six years, and Mr. HOCKMAN was married (second) to Mrs. Susanna (LEE) ENT, widow of Robert ENT, and daughter of Charles LEE. Mr. HOCKMAN is a Republican in his political views, and has been honored by his fellow citizens with election to various public offices, including those of councilman of Berwick, in which he served one year, and constable, in which he acted for a number of terms. With his family he attends the Methodist Church at Berwick, of which he is a consistent member; he has been a class leader and a teacher in the Sunday school. He is widely known and highly esteemed all over this section of Columbia county, now residing at Light Street, in Scott township.
Mr. RITTENHOUSE has in his possession a number of cakes that were baked twenty-three years ago, when his father, Enoch RITTENHOUSE, celebrated his golden wedding anniversary. These cakes were baked in pans that had been used when the parents were married, fifty years before, and these same pans are still in service in Mr. RITTENHOUSE'S home.
Jacob CHRISTIAN, farmer and miller, P.O. Derrs, was born in Madison twp. June 12, 1825, the eldest son of John and Frances (WELLIVER) CHRISTIAN. Jacob removed with his parents to this township when a boy, was reared to manhood on the farm, succeeded his father at his death, and has since resided here. He was married in September 1848, to Martha, daughter of Chester and Rachel (MELLICK) SMITH, she died September 1, 1884. To Mr & Mrs CHRISTIAN were born nine children: Theodore S., John C., Thomas H., J. Judson, Mary E., William B., Howard S., Justin L., and R. Euphemina. Mr. CHRISTIAN has been for several years engaged in lumbering, operates a saw mill, and has a Chopping Mill in connection with the saw mill. Of late years he has given more attention to farming. he and nearly all the family are members of the Baptist Church, he has been trustee and also held other offices; has served the township in official relations. From the History of Columbia County PA 1887 Pine Township. Columbia Co. - pg. 527
Jonathan H. MILLER, a retired citizen of Mohnton, Berks Co., Pa., was born in Cumru township, on the present side of Edison, Jan. 24, 1839, son of Jonathan and Catharine (HORNBERGER) MILLER.
Mr. MILLER attended the pay schools of Cumru township until he had attained the age of eighteen years, working on a farm during the summer seasons. He lived at home until his marriage in 1859, to Mary GAUL, daughter of Joseph and Mary (FOX) GAUL, when he came to Mohnton, and for about twenty years was engaged in operating a grist-mill along the Wyomissing. He then learned the hatting business, engaging at that trade in Mohnton, being later in partnership with J. G. Mohn & Bros. He then entered a partnership with his son, Albert, under the firm name of J. H. MILLER, Son & Co., and they continued together for fifteen years. Mr. MILLER then worked at his trade with the well known firm of Whorley Bros., of Mohnton, until 1904, since which year he has lived retired. His first wife died July 2, 1876, and was buried in the Mohnton cemetery. She was the mother of one son, Albert G. MILLER, who married Mary DIETRICH, and resides at Mohnton, the father of two children, Elmer and Arthur. Mr. MILLER m. (second) Mary FLEISHHER, daughter of Peter FLEISHER, and to this union there were born: Edwin is unmarried and at home; Robert m. Lillie RICHWINE, and lives at home where he is engaged in the hat business; and Matthew also lives at home, and is unmarried. Mrs. MILLER is a daughter of Peter FLEISHER, who was born near the Swamp Church, in Lancaster county, Nov. 14, 1819, and died Dec. 26, 1888. He m. Catharine BRENSING, daughter of Peter and Elizabeth (REEDY) BRENSING, and they had these children: Samuel m. Mary STETTLER; Mary m. Mr. MILLER; and James m. Mary HOWE.
Mr. MILLER and his family reside on the corner of Wyomissing avenue and Wood street, in the home which was built by him in the summer of 1866. It is three stories high and of sandstone, and is considered one of the finest in the town. Mr. MILLER is one of the oldest residents in the town of Mohnton, which at the time he arrived contained but five dwellings. In politics he is a Republican. He is a member of Zion's United Evangelical Church of Mohnton, which he joined in 1870, when it was known as the Evangelical Church. He has served on the building committees of two churches, has been class leader of Class No. 2, trustee and steward for many years, and a teacher in the Sunday school for many years, now teaching class No. 23. Mr. MILLER is one of the honorable and upright men of his township, and as an acquaintance and friend he is honored and esteemed by all with whom he comes in contact.
Albert Gaul MILLER. One of the prominent citizens of Mohnton, Berks county, is Mr. Albert G. MILLER, who is now living retired, after many years spent in a mercantile business. Mr. MILLER was born Feb. 27, 1860, in Mohnton, son of Jonathan H. and Mary A. (GAUL) MILLER.
Mr. MILLER attended the Cumru township schools and Mount Joy Seminary, after which he learned the hatting trade and followed that occupation until 1880. In this year Mr. MILLER purchased his grandfather Joseph GAUL'S store property at Mohnton, where he engaged in the mercantile business for ten years, being very successful. In 1890 he organized the Mohnton Lumber & Planing Mill Company, of which he was elected treasurer, a position in which he served until the firm sold out. During the ten years of his mercantile enterprise he served as assistant postmaster. In 1894 Mr. MILLER engaged with the hat manufacturing firm of J. H. MILLER, Son & Co., in which he continued two years, when he entered the manufacturing field on his own account, continuing therein until 1902, when he re-engaged in the mercantile business, organizing the firm of Mohn & Miller. This firm had the largest store in the borough and commanded the best trade, being very successful. In 1906 Mr. MILLER retired.
In 1881 Mr. MILLER was married to Mary A. DIETRICH, daughter of Charles C. and Sophia (GEHRET) DIETRICH, of Richmond township, Berks county, and to this union there were born three children: Elmer D., who graduated from the township schools, the Reading Classical school in 1900, the State College in 1902, and Eastman's Business College, Poughkeepsie, N. Y., in 1906, is now bookkeeper in the Schuylkill Valley Bank, Reading, Pa.; Arthur D., who graduated from the township schools, the high school at Shillington in 1904, and the Keystone State Normal school, Kutztown, Pa., in 1906, is now enrolled as a student in the Electrical Engineering course at State College, class of 1911; Alvin died at the age of fifteen months.
In politics Mr. MILLER is a Republican, and he has been prominent in the ranks of his party. He served as auditor of Cumru township in 1885, 1886 and 1887; and as school director from 1900 to 1903, being secretary of the board for the last two years of his term of office, and was also an instigator of the erection of Cumru high school in 1902; and he was auditor of Mohnton borough during its first year. He is a member of Zion United Evangelical Church, where he has been secretary of the board of trustees since 1894, a teacher of the Sunday-school for twenty years, and a member of the building committee, which erected the present structure in 1894. He is a member of Knights of Pythias Lodge No. 485, where he has been through the chairs, and Knights of the Golden Eagle Castle No. 137, being a charter member of both organizations. He has a fine residence on Church street, which commands an excellent view of the surrounding country.
Martin Luther Miller, M. D., of Mohnton, proprietor of the Miller Furniture Company, was born in Mohnsville, April 1, 1869.
Dr. MILLER passed his boyhood at various points in the State, and at different times attended the schools of Berks, Lehigh and Schuylkill counties. When more advanced he entered the Schuylkill Seminary at Fredericksburg, and was graduated from that institution with the class of 1889. Later he decided upon adopting the profession of medicine, and therefore in 1895 entered the Hahnemann Medical College of Philadelphia, being graduated three years later. For the next year he practised at Mohnton, but then removed to St. Lawrence, Berks county, for a year and a half. While his success in establishing himself in the latter place was very flattering, Dr. MILLER regarded Mohnton as offering a better field, and so returned there in 1901, since which time he has built up a very good practice.
Although eminently successful in his profession, Dr. MILLER has also the traits of a good business man and combines the two interests. In the fall of 1902, in partnership with William G. LEINGER and B. Frank STEFFY, he formed the Steffy Music & Furniture Company, an enterprise that from the beginning has enjoyed a liberal measure of public favor and patronage. In July, 1906, Mr. LEININGER withdrew from the firm because of the pressure of other interests, and in a few months an agreement was entered into between Dr. MILLER and Mr. STEFFY whereby the latter also withdrew and the Doctor became the sole owner. The business is located in a two-story building 26x60 feet, on Wyomissing avenue. A full line of furniture, bedding, upholstery, carpets, etc., is carried and a large trade is done.
In the political field Dr. MILLER is also active, working with the Republican forces to promote the general welfare. He was prominent in the movement to have the town incorporated and served on various committees.
At the first election, after the incorporation of the borough in 1907, he was elected a director of the public schools for the three-year term, and, at the organization of the board, was chosen treasurer of the school district. Fraternally also he is a well-known figure, belonging to the K. of P., No. 485, of Mohnton, of which he is Master of the Exchequer, and to the P. O. S. of A., No. 211, of Mohnton. Even more vitally is the Doctor's influence felt in the work of the Zion United Evangelical Church, of which he and his wife are members. The Sunday-school, which is one of the largest in the county, is known for its excellent singing, due in large measure to Dr. MILLER'S careful work as chorister. He is an accomplished musician, both as pianist and vocalist, and since 1900 has given his best ability to training this school. He is also the efficient president of the K. L. C. E., which has a large membership and is a marked influence for good in the community. Whatever line of work Dr. MILLER undertakes, he proves himself a man of force and ability and his position and influence among his fellow-townsmen is a prominent one.
In July, 1895, Dr. MILLER was united in marriage to Miss Lillian C. MUSSELMAN, daughter of Reuben and Sarah (HENRY) MUSSELMAN, the former a carpenter of Weissport, Carbon county.
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