BIO: William H. MILLER, Centre County, PA

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Commemorative Biographical Record of Central Pennsylvania: Including 
the Counties of Centre, Clearfield, Jefferson and Clarion: Containing 
Biographical Sketches of Prominent and Representative Citizens, Etc. 
Chicago: J. H. Beers, 1898.
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  WILLIAM H. MILLER resides in Spring township, Centre county, and 
comes of a family whose history has been long and honorably interwoven 
with that of Pennsylvania.  His paternal grandfather, a tanner by 
trade, removed from Berks county to Centre county, and for many years 
was a well-known citizen here.  The father of our subject, Henry 
Miller, was born in 1817, and died in 1881, at the age of sixty-four.  
He married Miss Catherine Meiss, and they had a family of five 
children, the subject of this sketch being the eldest; the second child 
died in infancy, and the others are Sarah J., John A. and Anna E.
  No event of special importance occurred during the boyhood and youth 
of our subject, who was reared on the home farm and early became 
familiar with its duties.  He assisted in the labors of the fields 
through the summer months, and in the winter season attended the public 
schools, where he acquired a good practical Eng-

364  COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

lish education that has been supplemented by reading, experience and 
observation.  He married Miss Mary Ann Hoy, a daughter of John and 
Susan (Hoy) Hoy.  Her father, who was born in 1804, departed this life 
in 1864 at the age of sixty years, and his wife, whose birth occurred 
in 1811, was called to the home beyond in 1858.  By trade he was a 
miller, and followed that occupation for many years.  In early manhood 
he came to Centre county, and resided in Jacksonville, Walker township.  
To Mr. and Mrs. Miller were born four children, only two of whom are 
now living: Sarah E., the eldest, is the wife of Charles H. Garis, and 
has four children; Catherine E. is the wife of Charles E. Wetzel, to 
whom were born twin girls, one of whom died in infancy; Margaret M. 
sustained injuries in a railroad accident which resulted in her death 
when twenty-three years of age.  She was on her way to Bellefonte to 
receive instructions preparatory to entering the Church and taking the 
communion, when struck by a passenger train.  For three days she 
suffered most intensely, but bore her pain with heroic fortitude.  At 
length death came to her release, and on November 15, 1893, her young 
life was ended.  The fourth child of the family was a son, who 
throughout his short life was a cripple.  He passed away in his 
fifteenth year, and the loss of these children has proved the greatest 
affliction that has ever come to the parents, but they live in the 
certainty of a happy reunion beyond the grave. 
  Farming has been the life work of Mr. Miller, and his affairs are 
ably conducted, so that success has come to him in return for his 
diligence, close application and perseverance.  He exercises his right 
of franchise in support of the Republican party, but has neither sought 
nor desired political preferment.  He and his wife are members of the 
Reformed Church, and are most consistent Christian people, ever ready 
to defend the weak against the strong and aid the needy or distressed.