BIO: Lewis P. MILLER, Clearfield County, PA
 
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From Twentieth Century History of Clearfield County, Pennsylvania,
and Representative Citizens, by Roland D. Swoope, Jr.,
Chicago: Richmond-Arnold Publishing Company, 1911, pages 942 & 943.
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  LEWIS P. MILLER,* one of the best known residents of Karthaus, Pa., whose name 
up and down the river is a synonym for bravery, honesty and efficiency, still 
operates a ferry, which he has conducted since he came here in the spring of 
1880, and maintains something of a summer resort for those who enjoy water 
sports.  In the old days he has entertained as many as sixty guests a night.  
Mr. Miller was born November 13, 1850, at Mulsonburg, Covington township, 
Clearfield county, Pa., and is a son of William Miller and his wife, Lucy 
(Mulson) Miller.
  William Miller was born in Luzerne county, Pa.  By trade he was a tailor but 
never followed it very much after coming to Clearfield county, lumbering and 
rafting being more interesting and profitable to him.  He won the reputation of 
being the best pilot on the river in his day, and for forty years he served in 
the office of justice of the peace.  He lived to the age of seventy-four years, 
his death occurring in 1900.  William Miller married Lucy Mulson, who was born 
in France and was but one month old when her parents brought her to America.  
Her father was Peter Mulson, who was a wagonmaker by trade and a man of such 
pioneering qualities as to have the place where he located called by his name.  
Six children were born to William and Lucy Miller, namely:  Lewis P.; William, 
who lives at Keewaydin; Minnie, who is the wife of Christopher Rosenhoover, of 
Johnsonburg; Charles, who died in infancy; Titus, who died at the age of twenty 
years; and Frederick, who lives at North Bend, Clinton county, Pa.
  Lewis P. Miller was reared and obtained his district school education in 
Covington township.  He worked in the oil regions in the vicinity of Tidioute, 
Warren county, Pa., for some nine years but returned to Clearfield county in 
1879 and for one year afterward was engaged in lumbering on Deer Creek.  On June 
4, 1880, he came to his present place, owning 100 acres of land surrounding his 
residence which is situated one mile distant from any neighbor.  The place was 
built in 1869 by Fred Schmarrs.  About seven years ago, in order to meet with 
the demands of visitors to this region, Mr. Miller fitted his place up for a 
comfortable summer resort and during the warm season he has as many guests as he 
can accommodate.  The residence is situated so near the water that Mr. Miller 
will take good care that in a second disaster like the Johnstown flood, in 1889, 
none of his family or prized possessions will be left there, as on that 
memorable occasion there were six inches of water over his floors.  The river's 
sudden rise at this point was twenty-seven feet, all told.
  On October 12, 1880, Mr. Miller was married to Miss Clarissa Rosenhoover, who 
was born in Cooper township, a daughter of Robert and Mary (Dreekle) 
Rosenhoover, the latter of whom died at the age of eighty-eight years.  Mr. 
Rosenhoover was born in Germany and was one of the early settlers here, where he 
still resides.  Five sons and one daughter were born to Mr. and Mrs. Miller, as 
follows:  Fred C., who is a photographer; John C., who is a student at 
Williamsport; Paul Eugene, who is a telegraph operator at Rustic; Robert, who 
was accidentally drowned, falling off the ferry, when a child of thirteen 
months; Charles, who is a miner at Karthaus; and Grace, who resides with her 
parents.  Mr. Miller and family attend the Catholic church at Cooper.  In 
politics he is a Democrat.
  From boyhood Mr. Miller has been accustomed to the water and his stories of 
early days on the river, at this point, are intensely interesting.  He was of 
great assistance to his father in those days, when the latter piloted immense 
rafts down the stream, and Mr. Miller can remember when this traffic was of 
enormous proportions, rafts being so close together that one could walk dry shod 
from shore to shore.  He has had many exciting adventures in straightening out 
rafts in troubled waters, and as ferryman, has many times performed heroic deeds 
that more than entitle him to a Carnegie medal.  He bears the record of never 
refusing to carry passengers, no matter what the weather might be or portend, 
and at least six lives were saved by his timely assistance.  Frequently he has 
crossed the flooded stream and with great danger to himself, has tied up rafts 
which otherwise would have gone to pieces, and thus has saved thousands of 
dollars to their owners.  Mr. Miller tells of these deeds with a great deal of 
modesty, notable as they were, and no one can ever assert with truth that he 
ever hesitated in the face of duty on account of monetary consideration.  His 
circle of friends extends over a very wide territory and the mention of his name 
in this section evokes expressions of high regard.