Miller - Jonas - Montgomery InGenWeb Project

Jonas S. MILLER, is one of those men about whom it is a pleasure to write. He is modest in his opinion of himself, not claiming the worth and importance that others are ready and anxious to ascribe to him. He is quiet and unassuming in manner, as such characters always are and holds the high place which has been given him in the public favor by right of what he is, and not of what he claims. It is a grateful task to write of such a one, and the only danger is, that sufficient merit will not be ascribed; yet the hearts of his friends, and they are very many, will supply any lack of words on the part of the writer, or any failure to express happily the true thought. Mr. Miller was born in Reading, PA, April 27, 1831. His parents, Samuel and Susan Miller, were both born in PA and were the children of farmers. He himself was reared on a farm, living there until 18 years of age, at which time he began to learn the carriage trade at Reading. He served 4 years as an apprentice under bond to remain the full time. After learning his trade, he worked a few months in Reading, then went to Circleville, Ohio, remaining there one year as a journeyman, earning money to buy a horse and saddle, after which he rode back six hundred miles across the mountains to his old home, being 16 days on the road. Reading is 50 miles from Philadelphia. Mr. Miller next went to Pottsville and with a young man from there, proceeded to Tiffin, Ohio where they opened a shop, remaining in business together for 2 years. At the end of this time they sold out, and he went to Fremont, the same state, remaining there one year, working and trading horses. After this he came back to Circleville, having made some money and six months later went to Indianapolis by rail. He worked there one year and in Feb 1856, came to Crawfordsville, where he opened a shop with his brother Samuel, who came with him and who was a blacksmith. They were partners until his brothers's death, about two years since. They worked up a large and flourishing business, it having reached an extensive scale even before the war. This business will be more fully described in details in the sketch of Mr. Albert S. Miller, son of our subject and his successor in the management of the factory. Mr. Jonas Miller has given his entire attention to the carriage business for so many years that to him must be given the full credit due the founder of so extensive an industry, while his brother Samuel must also recieve his share, for his own part in the work was by no means an unimportant one. The partnership existing between the brothers was a remarkable one, extending over a period of 35 years. They possessed many characteristics in common and the long close connection between them was never broken by bickering or disagreements, but all their business relations were harmonious, each working for the advancement of the firm. Men of rather taciturn natures, their business matters were kept to themselves, and, while both were really warm-hearted and genial, their only confidants were each other. Men of strong likes and dislikes, it is not strange that this attachment was never severed until death claimed one of them for his own. Both have ever been most highly respected citizens of Crawfordsville. They asked no public recognition and south no offices, but were content to build up a business on wuch a firm base that nothing could cause it to totter and fall should either be taken away. Although as we have before stated, both Jonas Miller and his brother were uncommunicative to a remarkable degree, yet no men possessed warmer friends, or appreciated the beauties of friendship more than they. They were alike with regard to termperament and strength of character. Both have ever been fond of home life. In his partnership with his brother, Samuel gave his personal attention to the smithing department. Being a first-class workman himself, he demanded the best results from those in his employ, as would be expected from a man who ever led a most honorable life in every detail. Possibly the friendship between the brothers was the closer from the fact that Samuel was never married. In addition to the carriage factory, Mr. Miller owns the Market Street livery stable (the omnibus stable being 37 x 165') and two-story brick block, 85 ' front by 165' deep, next to the Nutt House. This is all valuable business property, the buildings being finely located and handsome edifices. A view of all the structures accompanies this sketch. Mr. Miller has been the longest in continuous business of any man in the city, the period including 36 years of successful work. This, starting on a small scale, has, through strict attention and earnest, clear-sighted effort, gained for him the enviable position that he occupies today. It speaks well for him as an employer that some of his men have been with him 30 years. He has always had a reputation for straightforward business dealing, first-class work, and honesty in every transaction. No man has been more successful than he, and that this is consistent with square dealing is proven by the fact that no man bears a higher character. Mr. Miller is not a speculator, but having confidence in the future of Crawfordsville, he does not hesitate to make large investments here. Mr. MIller is of medium height and robust built, his well-knit frame being suited to meet the hard knocks of life, and displaying the ruggedness of his PA ancestry. This ruggedness extends to the character as well, giving that sterling quality that holds out against temptations and difficulties and insures a success of the kind that a man may well be proud of. Mr. Miller is now a widower, his wife, who was Miss Martha A. Scott, and who was reared in this city, having died in May 1885. Their family included only the one son mentioned above, Mr. Albert S. Miller, a sketch of whose life will be given elsewhere, as before stated. Mr. Miller has never been actively engaged in politics, and lays no claim to being a politician, being interested in such things only as he is interested in everything that is for the good and advancement of his fellowmen and of his country, as well as of his chosen city. The best exponent of this man is found in the immense business that he has brought to its present thoroughly prosperous and substantial condition and in the high regard and respect felt for him by all who know him. -typed by kbz