Bios: Clayton Irvin Miller family: Berks Co, PA

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From:  Morton L Montgomery, "Historical and Biographical Annals of Berks
County, Pennsylvania.  Chicago, J. H. Beers & Co., 1909.  p 1062

Surnames mentioned:
Carrigan, Coplin, Custer, Kienzle, Lebo, Lee, Miller, Monyer, Scarlet,
Seyfert.

Note: Surnames of related families have been capitalized, but are lower case
in the original.

CLAYTON IRVIN MILLER, undertaker and embalmer at Reading, in which business
he succeeded his father, the late Ephraim S. Miller, was born in Reading, at
the family home, No. 420 Washington street, Nov. 1, 1873.

Several generations of the Miller family have found homes and fortune in
Berks county.  Jacob MILLER, great- grandfather of Clayton I., lived all his
life in Robeson township, Berks county, and was a prominent farmer.  He
married Susanna COPLIN, and their children were:  Jacob, Levi, Henry, David,
Harriet and Ann.

Levi MILLER, son of Jacob and Susanna, was born in Robeson township, Oct 11,
1817, and in his youth he learned the blacksmith's trade, which he followed
some years, finally, however, turning his attention to farming, in which
occupation he was engaged at the time of his death, May 10, 1849.  In
politics he was an old-line Whig, and he held a number of local offices.  He
married Susanna SCARLET (born June 29, 1814, died May 28, 1854), daughter of
Ephraim and Lydia SCARLET, Quakers who formerly lived in Chester county, but
afterward located on Hay Creek, near Birdsboro, this county.

Ephraim S. MILLER, son of Levi, was born in Robeson township, March 31,
1840, and was educated in the common schools and in the school at
Morgantown, under Prof. Tutton.  The cabinet maker's trade attracted him,
and after completing an apprenticeship thereto, served under Frederick
Henninger, at Reading, with whom he remained six years, in August 1861, he
began for himself by opening a shop at No. 329 Penn street, Reading.  At the
end of six years he moved to No. 420 Washington street, and opened an
undertaking establishment, and at the time of his death June 13, 1907, he
was the oldest funeral director in Reading, having been continuously engaged
in the business for 46 years.

For some years in connection with his business he conducted a livery stable.
He devoted much time to perfecting himself in his work, and for 12 years
was a member of the Undertakers' Examining Board for the State of
Pennsylvania, to which position he was appointed by four consecutive
Governors.  He was the only undertaker in Reading who was a member of the
State Funeral Directors' Association, a society which he was instrumental in
organizing, and in which he was a member of the Executive committee.

Mr. Miller was a member of the First Baptist Church, which he had served as
a trustee for 47 years, 16 of which he was president of the board.  His
fraternal connections were with Lodge No. 62, F.& A.M.; Excelsior Chapter,
No. 237, R.A.M.; Reading Commandery, No. 42, K.T.; Mt. Penn Council, No.
495, R.A.; Reading Council, No. 46, O.U.A.M.; and the K.G.E.  In politics he
was a Republican, and for three terms he represented the Seventh ward in the
common council.

Ephraim S. MILLER was twice married.  On March 28, 1861, he wedded Amelia
SEYFERT, and their children were:  Etna m. Charles O. CUSTER; Elizabeth m.
John J. KIENZLE; Clyde S.; Howard L.; Susanna m. William R. MONYER; Clayton
Irvin; and Daniel.  Mrs. Miller died April 7, 1891.  Mr. Miller m. (second)
Deborah H. LEE, daughter of Thomas and Rachel LEE, Quakers of Oley township,
and she survives him.  Mr. Miller's funeral was in charge of the Funeral
Directors' Association of Pennsylvania, which organization held a meeting in
Reading the week of his death, and interment was made in the Charles Evans
cemetery.

Clayton Irvin MILLER has always lived in Reading.  The public schools
afforded him a good education and as he had assisted his father in the
undertaking business from the time he was 13 years old, it was natural that
he should later become associated with him in the business, and eventually
succeed to it.  At his father's death, Mr. Miller bought out the long
established business, and he has since carried it on quite successfully,
winning new laurels for the name.  In October, 1891, he finished a course in
embalming at the United States College of Embalming, New York City, which
qualified him as an embalmer; and on March 12, 1897, he passed an
examination before the State Board of Undertakers, and received a license to
practise his profession throughout the State.

Fraternally Mr. Miller belongs to Lodge No. 62, F.& A.M.; Excelsior Chapter,
No. 237, R.A.M.; Reading Commandery, No. 42, K.T.; Friendship Lodge, No.
247, Knights of Malta; Thaddeus Stevens Council, No 252, O. of I.A., of
which he was secretary ten years; Wyomissing Council, Royal Arcanum; and
Camp No. 670, P.O.S. of A., which he served as secretary six years.  He is a
member of the First Baptist Church, in which he has been a trustee since
1902.

On Nov. 28, 1895, Clayton I. MILLER was married to Mary E. CARRIGAN, born at
Blandon, daughter of the late Samuel CARRIGAN, a native of Lancaster county.
 After the death of Mr. Carrigan, his widow became the wife of David LEBO,
and now resides at No. 629 Laurel street, Reading.  Mr. and Mrs. Miller have
one son, Irvin Parker.