BIO: Samuel G. MILLER, Huntingdon County, PA

Contributed for use in the USGenWeb Archives by JO

Copyright 2008.  All rights reserved.
http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm
http://www.usgwarchives.net/pa/pafiles.htm 
**********************************************************
__________________________________________________________________  

Commemorative Biographical Encyclopedia of the Juniata Valley: 
Comprising the Counties of Huntingdon, Mifflin, Juniata and Perry, 
Pennsylvania, Containing Sketches of Prominent and Representative 
Citizens and Many of the Early Settlers.  Chambersburg, Pa.: J. M. 
Runk & Co., 1897, pages 169-170.
__________________________________________________________________ 

  SAMUEL G. MILLER, Shade Gap, Huntingdon county, Pa., was born April 
5, 1861, near Fort Littleton, Fulton county, Pa., son of Jacob W. and 
Mary Ann (Zeigler) Miller. The father and grandfather of Jacob W. 
Miller came from Ireland, and settled in the vicinity of Burnt Cabins, 
Fulton county, and he is a native and resident of that place. His 
occupation was that of a post and rail fence maker. His political views 
are Democratic. The children of Mr. and Mrs. J. W. Miller are: Walter 
S., postmaster at Shirleysburg, Huntingdon county; Mary (Mrs. Isaac 
Trimmber), Cumberland, Pa.; Commodore, was killed by the kick of a 
horse at fourteen years of age; Samuel G.; Ellen (Mrs. John Porter), of 
Virginia; Kate (Mrs. Robert Webb), of Tennessee; David, bookkeeper, at 
Athens, Ga.; and Isabelle.
  Some twenty-five years ago, Samuel G. Miller was a sturdy boy, 
attending the rural school of his native township during the winter 
terms, thinking little of the two and a half miles which he must 
traverse on foot, in cold and stormy weather, as well as on calmer 
days, to reach the school house. In the warmer seasons, he was helping 
about the farm as a willing and industrious boy can do, but with a 
wishful thought now and then for the forge over yonder, with its ruddy 
fire and ringing iron. At last, when he had entered his nineteenth 
year, his wish was realized, and in October, 1879, he went to his 
uncle, Jacob Zeigler, at Dry Run, Pa., to learn the useful and vigorous 
handicraft of the blacksmith. For two years and a half he was his 
uncle's apprentice; then he was employed in Shirley township, for six 
months, by Thomas Landis. It was in 1883 that he came to Shade Gap, and 
began business for himself upon a capital of twenty dollars. He rented 
the same smithy in which he still carries on the business, and 
continued to rent it for four years, working diligently and practicing 
economy; at the end of that time, he was able to buy the shop with the 
ground upon which it stood, and two lots besides, paying $500 cash, and 
the remainder of the purchase money, $400, soon after. Here he has 
built up a large and profitable business, and by the sweat of his brow 
has not only earned his bread, but provided comfort and a respectable 
position for his family. Mr. Miller is a Democrat, and actively 
interested in politics, but has never been willing to accept office. He 
is affiliated with the P. O. S. of A.
  In 1884, shortly after his independent start in business, Samuel G. 
Miller was married in Shade Gap to Charlotte Montague, a native of 
Dublin township. Their children are: Beulah; Olive; Edna; and Ruth.