Miller, John Henry

John Henry Miller, manufacturer and miller, whose home and place of business is at Sharpsville, Mercer county, was born in Cumberland county. Pennsylvania, June 5, 1840, a son of John L. and Katherine (Fissel) Miller. The father was born in Lebanon county, Pennsylvania, in 1808, and died, aged sixty-two years, in 1870. The mother was born in Cumberland county and died aged fifty-six years. Their children were seven in number, four of whom now survive: Elizabeth; John Henry, of this memoir; Ellen: Emma. The father was a stonemason by trade and spent most of his life in Lebanon county, removing thither in 1845. Politically he was a Whig.

John H. Miller drove horses on the old Union Canal during his boyhood days and attended school winter seasons for five years, then worked as a farm hand up to 1862, when he enlisted in Company I, One Hundred and Twenty-seventh Pennsylvania Regiment of Volunteers, the date being August 4, 1862, "for nine months or during the war." He was discharged May 29, 1863, by reason of the expiration of the term of his enlistment. He participated in all the engagements in which his regiment took part, including Fredericksburg and Chancellorsville. After the war he worked on a farm until 1866, then learned the milling business in Dauphin county, Pennsylvania, and subsequently engaged in such business in 1875 in Dauphin county, continuing there seven years, and in 1882 removed to York county, Pennsylvania, locating at New Cumberland, where he followed milling five years and in 1887 quit and removed to Sharpsville, where lie has operated a mill ever since. In 1900 Mr. Miller erected a new roller mill, having a capacity of one hundred barrels daily. He purchased the old Templeton mill property. In his milling operations he has been highly successful.

Politically he is a stanch defender of Republican principles. He has served as councilman one year, as member of the school board, which place he has held over six years, and is still in such office, proving his efficiency in such capacity. He is an honored member of the Sharpsville Grand Army of the Republic post.

Mr. Miller was married December 24, 1867, to Susan Miller, born in Dauphin county, Pennsylvania, in 1844, the daughter of Benjamin and Rebecca C. (Krause) Miller. Her father was born in Dauphin county, Pennsylvania, and died at the age of seventy-seven years. The mother was born in Lebanon county, Pennsylvania, and died aged sixty-eight years. Twelve children were born of this union, including the following: Cyrus, Amanda, David, Christian, Rebecca, William, Susan (Mrs. Miller), Mollie and Benjamin. The father spent his life mostly in Dauphin county, where he followed the trade of a tailor. He was a member of the United Brethren church and in politics a Whig. Mr. and Mrs. Miller are the parents of two sons: Grant C. and Niles B.