BIO: Charles A. MILLER, Dauphin County, PA

Contributed for use in the USGenWeb Archives by Judy Bookwalter

Copyright 2008.  All rights reserved.
http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm
http://www.usgwarchives.net/pa/dauphin/
http://www.usgwarchives.net/pa/dauphin/runk/runk-bios.htm
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Commemorative Biographical Encyclopedia of Dauphin County, 
Containing Sketches of Representative Citizens, and Many of the 
Early Scotch-Irish and German Settlers.  Chambersburg, Pa.: 
J. M. Runk & Company, 1896, pages 326-327.
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  MILLER, CHARLES A., a city clerk of Harrisburg, and clerk of the 
common council, was born at Harrisburg, June 28, 1850.  He is a son of 
Francis Xavier (more generally known as X.)  Miller and Elizabeth 
(McMillan) Miller.  His grandfather Miller was a native of Switzerland, 
and spent his life in his native land.  His father, Francis X., was 
born in Tagerfelden, Canton Aargau, Switzerland.  He came to America in 
1842, and located in New York City, where he worked at his trade of 
shoemaking for three years.  In 1845 he removed to Harrisburg, and 
engaged in business on his own account.  He was well known as "X. 
Miller, the French boot and shoe maker."  He was an expert at his 
business, having learned the trade in Paris, and did an extensive 
business for those days.  Elizabeth A. (McMillan) Miller, mother of 
Charles A., was born at Round Top, Dauphin county, Pa., January 22, 
1825.  His parents were married at Harrisburg, in 1847, and had 
fourteen children, four only of whom lived to maturity:  Charles A., 
Marcellus I., Francis X. and Clotilda Regina, wife of Capt. H. A. 
Perkins, late of the Governor's Troop, and now residing in New York 
City.  She was born March 28, 1852, and died September 17, 1892.
  Charles A. Miller received his education in the public schools and 
academy of Harrisburg, and is a graduate of the latter.  His whole life 
has been spent in this city.  He learned printing with the late George 
Bergner, and continued in this business for twenty years.  In 1881 he 
was appointed foreman of the Harrisburg Telegraph, and efficiently 
filled this position until 1885.  In that year he was elected to the 
State Legislature, and resigned his business position, that he might be 
free to devote his time and strength to the duties of his office.  In 
March, 1887, Mr. Miller introduced the Star carpet cleaning business in 
Harrisburg, which was a new process for cleaning carpets.  He continued 
in that business for four years.  In 1891 he was appointed clerk of the 
common council, and shortly afterwards was elected city clerk, in joint 
convention; he is the first and only person who has ever filled that 
office.  In addition to these offices Mr. Miller was also a member of 
the common council from 1880 to 1883, and in 1882 was chosen president 
of that body.  He was a member of the select council from April, 1883, 
to December 1884, resigning this office when elected to the 
Legislature.  He was the first chairman of the joint committee of 
councils for arranging for the centennial celebration in 1885.  He 
again served in the common council during 1888-89.
  Mr. Miller was married at Harrisburg, October 16, 1879, to Rebecca 
Mauger, daughter of Henry and Mary (Hummel) Mauger, born at Harrisburg, 
November 28, 1856.  They have two daughters:  Anna M., born December 
28, 1880, and Mary Regina, born March 7, 1885.  In political views Mr. 
Miller is a good staunch Republican.  The family attend the Messiah 
Lutheran church.