Miller - Jonas
Source: Portrait and Biographical Record of Montgomery, Fountain & Parke
Counties, Indiana. Indianapolis; Chapman Brothers, 1893 p. 548
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