BIO: David R. Miller, Cumberland County, PA

Contributed for use in the USGenWeb Archives by Judy Bookwalter

Copyright 2009.  All rights reserved.
http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm
http://www.usgwarchives.net/pa/cumberland/
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History of Cumberland and Adams Counties, Pennsylvania.
Containing History of the Counties, Their Townships, Towns, Villages, 
Schools, Churches, Industries, Etc.; Portraits of Early Settlers and 
Prominent Men; Biographies; History of Pennsylvania; Statistical and 
Miscellaneous Matter, Etc., Etc.  Illustrated.  Chicago: Warner, Beers 
& Co., 1886.
http://www.usgwarchives.net/pa/cumberland/beers/beers.htm
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                                PART II.

             HISTORY OF CUMBERLAND COUNTY. PENNSYLVANIA.

                             CHAPTER XXXIX. 

                        BOROUGH OF MECHANICSBURG.

426  BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES:

  DAVID R. MILLER, proprietor of Miller's Sash, Door and Blind Factory, 
Mechanicsburg, was born on the old family farm in Silver Spring 
Township, this county, July 15, 1829, son of Abraham and Elizabeth 
(Shupe) Miller, natives of Silver Spring Township, this county, and 
Dauphin County, Penn., respectively.  Abraham Miller, who was a farmer 
and distiller, a son of John Miller, was born in Germany, and came to 
Lancaster County, Penn., and afterward to Silver Spring Township, this 
county.  He and his wife were members of the Lutheran Church.  They had 
five sons.  David R., the eldest, remained on the farm and attended 
school during the winters until he was apprenticed three years to learn 
the carpenter's trade, and contracting and building, in which he 
continued until 1848, when he began to work in the sash, door and blind 
factory of Seidle & Eberly.  Soon afterward he became foreman, and 
remained with this company until 1852.  He then worked at his trade in 
Franklin, Cumberland and Dauphin Counties until 1863, when he, with F. 
Seidle, Samuel Eberly and others commenced bridge-building for the 
Government.  Then he worked in George Frullinger's factory, Harrisburg, 
and at carpentering in Mechanicsburg until 1867, when he, with three 
others, built a sash, door and blind factory.  A short time after, Mr. 
Miller and S. B. King formed a partnership, purchased the factory, and 
continued doing business under the firm name of Miller & King until 
March, 1884, when James Fulton purchased Mr. King's interest, and soon 
after Mr. Miller purchased Mr. Fulton's interest, and has since 
conducted the business alone.  In May, 1852, Mr. Miller married Miss 
Frances Brownewell, a native of Roxbury, Silver Spring Township, this 
county, daughter of Henry and Barbara (Baker) Brownewell, natives of 
Silver Spring Township, this county, and Adams County, respectively.  
Mr. and Mrs. Miller are members, the former of the Lutheran and the 
latter of the Reformed Church.  They have three children:  John H., 
assisting his father in the factory; Barbara E., at home with her 
parents; and David J. L.  Mr. Miller has been elected councilman by the 
people of Mechanicsburg two terms.  He is a member of the Mechanicsburg 
Lodge, No. 215, I. O. O. F.  He is a self-made man, and learned early 
to depend on his own resources for a living.  He started without a 
cent, but went bravely to work, and by hard work, honest dealing and 
close application to business has made life a success.