Sullivan-Bradford-Cumberland County PA Archives Biographies.....MILLER, James P. 1847 - living in 1899 ************************************************ Copyright. All rights reserved. http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm http://www.usgwarchives.net/pa/pafiles.htm ************************************************ File contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by: Joy Fisher sdgenweb@yahoo.com July 1, 2005, 10:09 pm Author: Biographical Publishing Co. JAMES P. MILLER, superintendent of the Trust Company Tannery at Muncy Valley, Sullivan County, was born in Bradford County, Pa., in 1847. He is a son of William and Huldah (Wells) Miller who lived in Bradford County, Pa. William Miller, father of the subject of this sketch, was a progressive and well-to-do farmer, and James P. was given the advantages of the public schools at Newville, Cumberland County. Being naturally a studious boy, by diligent application to his studies he built a good foundation for the busy life which has since marked his progress. Upon completing the course of studies prescribed at the Newville schools he engaged in teaching, which calling he zealously followed for six years. He then engaged in clerking at Williamsport and Chamouni, after which he located in Muncy Valley to take up the duties of the important position of superintendent of the L. A. Robinson tannery at that place. This manufacturing enterprise was organized by L. R. Bump who was succeeded by L. A. Robinson of Middle Valley, N. Y., in 1876, who in turn sold the business to D. T. Stephens & Son in 1877; later the U. S. Leather Company or Union Tanning Company, as the firm was known at different periods, assumed control, and the business is directed now by the Trust Company estate. The tannery is known as the Muncy Valley Tannery all over the state and is one of the largest of its kind in this section, employing upwards of one hundred men and using twenty-one leaches per week with ten tons of bark to the leach. Mr. Miller's duties include the keeping of the books and the general supervision of the men and teams employed and the many hundred tons of bark that are used in tanning the yearly output of leather. So well has our subject performed his various duties that he has kept his position through all the changes which have taken place, giving entire satisfaction to the various owners and employees; thus the merit of his work has secured for him his position and is the most powerful factor in helping him to maintain it. Our subject was joined in the holy bonds of wedlock to Elizabeth Johnson, daughter of Perry O. Johnson of Sullivan County, Pa. Eight children blessed this union, as follows: Maud; Myrtle; Ernest; Blanche; Ralph; Jamie; and Donald. Thrice has the Grim Messenger entered our subject's home and robbed it of a cherished jewel. The summons came to Mabel when ten years old; then to Ernest, aged five; and last, to Ralph at the age of four. Politically our subject is an Independent Democrat. He is postmaster, which position he has held since Cleveland's first administration. He is a devout Christian and worships in the M. E. Church in which he is steward. Additional Comments: Extracted from: Book of Biographies of the Seventeenth Congressional District Published by Biographical Publishing Company of Chicago, Ill. and Buffalo, NY (1899) This file has been created by a form at http://www.genrecords.org/pafiles/ File size: 3.4 Kb