BIOS: John H. MILLER, Somerset, Somerset County, PA

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BIOGRAPHICAL REVIEW, Vol. XXXII, Containing Life Sketches of Leading 
Citizens of Bedford and Somerset Counties, Pennsylvania. Boston, 
Biographical Review Publishing Company: 1899, pp 191-192.

  John H. Miller, a prosperous tradesman of Somerset, Pa., dealer in 
stoves and hardware, was born December 15, 1845, in York county, this 
State, a son of Samuel, Jr., and Lydia (Cutman) Miller.  He comes of 
German ancestry, his grandfather, Samuel Miller, Sr., having been born 
and brought up in Germany.
  When a young man, the grandfather came to America; and in the 
Colonial struggle for independence that soon after ensued he took an 
active part, serving through the Revolutionary War as an officer in the 
army.  Valuable family records, including the papers relating to his 
heroic service, were unfortunately burned in the memorable Somerset 
fire of 1872.  At the close of the war he settled in Chester County, 
Pennsylvania, where he was subsequently engaged in real estate 
transactions until his death, at the age of threescore and ten years.  
In politics he was a Whig during his earlier days, but afterward an 
adherent of the Democratic party.  His wife, whose maiden name was 
Spangler, attained the venerable age of eighty-four years.  They had 
two children - Samuel and Sarah.
  Samuel Miller, Jr., was born and educated in Chester County, and 
there for a few years followed the trade of merchant tailor.  He was 
afterward in the employ of the United States government several years; 
and on resigning his position he removed to Lancaster County, where he 
served in various local offices of trust.  Going thence to York County, 
he built up a profitable business as a real estate operator, in which 
he was employed until his decease, at the age of fifty-seven years.  He 
was a strong Democrat in his political views and an ardent supporter of 
the principles of his party.  He married Lydia Cutman, of Chester 
County, who survived him but a short time, her death occurring when she 
was fifty-seven years old.  They were both devout Christians, though 
not of the same religious faith, he being an active member of the 
Presbyterian church and she of the Reformed church.  Of their six 
children four are now living, namely: John H.; Daniel; Sarah, wife of 
Thomas Arey; and Lucy, wife of John Kennard, both of Baltimore, Md.
  John H. Miller received his education in the schools of Montgomery 
County, this State, and when a young man learned the tinsmith's trade 
in Philadelphia, where he remained until after the breaking out of the 
Civil War.  In 1863 he enlisted as a private in Company A of the 
Pennsylvania Independent Regiment, which was organized in Lancaster and 
York Counties.  It being subsequently reorganized, he was promoted to 
the rank of Orderly Sergeant.  He was afterward made Captain of that 
company, and took charge of the wounded at the battle of Gettysburg, 
transporting them to the hospitals.  At the expiration of his term of 
enlistment he was honorably discharged from the army, and immediately 
resumed his position with the Philadelphia firm from whom he had 
learned his trade.  A few months later he went to Altoona, and from 
there to Bedford County, where he remained for a while.  In October, 
1871, Mr. Miller established himself in the stove and hardware business 
in Somerset; but a few months later the disastrous fire of 1872 
destroyed his entire stock of goods.  With characteristic enterprise, 
however, he soon started anew; and in the succeeding years he has built 
up a very successful and remunerative trade.  His store is well known 
in this section of the county, being one of the oldest of its kind in 
Somerset.  Conducted on good business principles, it is liberally 
patronized by all classes.  Mr. Miller has accumulated a substantial 
property, some of it being in real estate, including in Milford 
township a ninety-acre farm, rich in coal and lime, for the development 
of which he has recently formed a company.  He is an active member of 
the Republican party, much interested in town affairs, and for the past 
two years has been one of the Town Council.
  On February 29, 1872, Mr. Miller married Miss Emma C., daughter of 
George Whitehill, of Bedford County, Pennsylvania.  Of the four 
children born of their union three are living, namely:  George S., 
Marion, and Gertrude.  The family attend the Presbyterian church.