Biographical Sketch of Joseph Kendall MILLER (1893); Chester County, PA Contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by John Morris . *********************************************************************** USGENWEB ARCHIVES NOTICE: Printing this file within by non-commercial individuals and libraries is encouraged, as long as all notices and submitter information is included. Any other use, including copying files to other sites requires permission from the submitters PRIOR to uploading to any other sites. We encourage links to the state and county table of contents. http://www.usgwarchives.net/ *********************************************************************** Source: "Biographical and Portrait Cyclopedia of Chester County, Pennsyl- vania, comprising a historical sketch of the county," by Samuel T. Wiley and edited by Winfield Scott Garner, Gresham Publishing Company, Phila- delphia, PA, 1893, pp. 733-4. "JOSEPH K. MILLER. David Miller, son of Charles Miller, married Eliza Kendall, from which marriage were born three sons and one daughter. Of these children Joseph Kendall Miller was born April 3, 1837, in East Coventry, at the homestead where he now resides. He spent his time at home with his parents, received his education in the common schools of his native township and Washington Hall, at Trappe; was engaged in raising fruit trees and nursery stock with his father, also small fruits at one time. His father shipped tons of grapes to Philadelphia, when they commanded much larger prices than now. Many fine orchards were planted from this nursery in Chester, Berks and Montgomery counties. In 1866 Joseph K. Miller was appointed postmaster of Letzler's Store post-office; it was removed to his home at Miller's Corner; held it for three years; then it was removed back to Lawrenceville; now changed to Parker Ford. He held different township offices, and was a member of Phoenix Lodge, No. 75, A. Y. M., but withdrew and went into Spring City, Lodge, No. 553, A. Y. M., in 1878, as a charter member; also withdrew from Jerusalem Commandery, Knights Templar, of Phoenixville, and went into Nativity Commandery, at Pottstown, in 1892 as a charter member. He was married November 4, 1875, to Sallie F., daughter of George and Sarah Davidheiser, of Amity, Berks county, Pennsylvania. Their union was blessed with one son, Joseph Warren, born May 22, 1877. In 1878 the homestead was purchased of his father. It contained about eighteen acres; moved in April of the same year; his parents lived in the family; his father, David Miller, died March 23, 1880, and his mother, Eliza K. Miller, died July 23, 1887. Both died at the residence of their son, Joseph. In the fall of 1883 he bought the Frick farm, containing sixty-six acres of ground, adjoining his home; also bought the Royer farm, containing thirty-one acres. he kept off four acres for a cemetery, got parties to go in with him and had it incorp- orated in 1891, as 'Oak Grove Cemetery.' He was elected treasurer. It is beautifully laid out in walks and drives. Later he sold the Royer farm. He is true and deals honest with his fellow men, and asks the same in return. He offers liberal inducements for industrial works on his farm; along the Pennsylvania railroad - a fine location for public works. He has always been a stanch republican. He is still engaged extensively in the raising of fruit trees. His grandfather, Charles Miller, moved to Chester county; was born in Lancaster county, Pennsylvania. He married Catharine Houpt, of Chester county, in 1801. They had four children: Elizabeth, Peter, David (father), and Charles Miller. His grandfather, Charles Miller, enlisted in the war of 1812, on the 17th of July, and went out on the vessel called the 'Chesapeake;' served his full time, got his honorable discharge, and on his way home, at Baltimore, took the fever and died, never reaching home. His maternal great-grandfather, Henry Houpt, came from Germany and settled in Chester county near Kimber- ton. He was in the Revolutionary army at Valley Forge. He was with Washington's army there, while his family were near Kimberton. The subject of this sketch, Joseph K. Miller, served as a member of Co. D, 21st regiment of emergency men."