Will County IL Archives Biographies.....Miller, James W 
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File contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by:
Deb Haines ddhaines@gmail.com November 10, 2007, 4:00 am

Author: Genealogical and Biographical Record of Will County

JAMES W. MILLER, who holds an important position with the Pressed Steel Car 
Company in Joliet, was born in Mercer County, Pa., April 19, 1852, a son of 
James and Elizabeth A. (Miller) Miller. He was one of six children, of whom 
five survive, those beside himself being John E., who is employed, as engineer 
with the Pressed Steel Car Company; Frank A., a machinist in Oshkosh, Wis.; 
Maggie A., wife of C. W. Smith, of Joliet; and Lillie J., who married A. S. 
Patterson, also of Joliet. The sons are well known by reason of their 
mechanical skill, a talent which they inherited from their father. The latter 
was born in Glasgow, Scotland, in 1822, and through his own efforts acquired a 
practical education. From an early age he was thoroughly familiar with the 
machinist's trade. He arrived in America in 1845, with fifty cents in his 
possession. Going to an iron manufacturing town in Mercer County, Pa., he 
secured employment at his trade. In 1857 he removed from that place and 
settled in Morris, Ill., where he opened a machine shop. Scarcely three years 
later, however, he lost everything by fire. He then enlisted in the Union army 
and was made captain of the fusileers, a company of skilled mechanics for 
bridge building. After six months he was mustered out of the service. Shortly 
afterward he enlisted in the navy, and was made chief engineer of the "General 
Bragg," also held a similar position on other Union warships. He was present 
at the blockade of Vicksburg and many engagements with southern forces. At the 
close of the war he was honorably discharged and returned to Morris. Again 
opening a machine shop, he resumed the pursuits of private life. Two years 
later he was appointed chief engineer of the Illinois state penitentiary, 
which important position he held continuously for twenty-two years, retiring 
from active work in 1890. For years he was active in the Republican party and 
the Grand Army of the Republic. In religion he was a Presbyterian. His death 
occurred in 1895. His wife, who was born in the same city and year as himself, 
is still living, and is active and strong for one of her age. When nineteen 
years of age our subject apprenticed himself to the machinist's trade. In 1873 
he was appointed assistant chief engineer of the Illinois state penitentiary, 
and served in that capacity for eight years. Following this he was for three 
years employed as engineer for the Ashley Wire Company. In 1885 he removed 
with his family to Texas, and for four months was employed as traction 
engineer for C. Aultman & Co. Later he took a trip through the west, spending 
some months in California. On his return to Texas he took the management of an 
ice factory for parties in Colorado City. In 1887 he came back to Joliet. Two 
years later he entered the employ of the Pressed Steel Car Company as 
engineer. His ability was soon acknowledged, and he was gradually given charge 
of the works. In 1893 he was made superintendent of the night department, 
which position he still holds. It is said by those who know him best, that 
there is no finer machinist in Joliet. All of his work is systematically 
planned and methodically conducted. Through his skill as a machinist he is 
admirably qualified to superintend the plant efficiently and satisfactorily. 
Though not active in politics, Mr. Miller is a stanch Republican. Fraternally 
he is connected with Mount Joliet Lodge No. 42, A. F. & A. M. In 1876 he was 
united in marriage with Miss Frances S. Williams, who was born in Minnesota, 
and received her education principally in Minneapolis. Her father, Thomas 
Williams, a native of England, for many years carried on a meat market in 
Joliet, and was one of the prosperous business men of the city. Mr. and Mrs. 
Miller are the parents of five children, namely: Addis E., a graduate of the 
Joliet high school; Alice M., who is studying art in Kansas City; Francis J., 
a graduate of the Joliet high school; Lillian M. and Alger.

Additional Comments:
Genealogical and Biographical Record of Will County Illinois Containing 
Biographies of Well Known Citizens of the Past and Present, Biographical 
Publishing Company, Chicago, 1900

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