My Genealogy Hound

REUBEN E. MILLER, whose home is in Aquashicola, Carbon County, comes from an old and prominent family of Lehigh County, where his ancestors settled while the Indians were still numerous and oftentimes troublesome to the white inhabitants. Mr. Miller, who was formerly engaged in running a tannery, has of late years turned his attention to agricultural pursuits. He has also dealt extensively in cattle, buying and shipping them to the city markets, and has made a good income from this business.

The birth of our subject occurred in Lehigh County, this state, October 31, 1842, and his parents, George and Mary (Ettinger) Miller, were natives of the same county. The boyhood of our subject was passed on his father’s farm, and his primary education was obtained in the district school. His advantages were not of the best and he is largely self-educated. At the age of seventeen years he began learning the tanner’s trade with Benjamin Semmel, of North Whitehall Township, Lehigh County, and worked for him as an apprentice for nearly three years. During the year in which he attained his majority he went to Lehighton, where he obtained employment as a journeyman in a tannery, in which position he was employed for several years. For a short time he was in the same business for himself in that village, but on account of numerous disadvantages concluded to remove to another place.

It was in the spring of 1867 that Mr. Miller came to this city and started a tannery. This he carried on until the spring of 1874, when the plant was destroyed by fire. At times his business amounted to about $200,000 per annum, and in the different departments of his tannery twelve men were given employment. Since his plant was destroyed he has turned his attention to other lines of trade and has made a success of his dealings in cattle particularly.

In the spring of 1873 Mr. Miller married Miss Jennie, daughter of Thomas Kern, and they became the parents of one son, Calvin T., who is now deceased. Mrs. Miller, who was a member of the Reformed Church, was called to her final rest in the spring of 1893.

Politically Mr. Miller is a Republican, and, being a temperance man, has a strong leaning toward the Prohibition party. He is a member of the Evangelical Church, and always supports the leading work of his denomination. Though he has had no desire to serve in official capacities, he was at one time a Director for the Poor House of Lower Towamensiug Township.