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Below is a family biography included in the Biographical Annals of Cumberland County, Pennsylvania published in 1905 by The Genealogical Publishing Company.  These biographies are valuable for genealogy research in discovering missing ancestors or filling in the details of a family tree. Family biographies often include far more information than can be found in a census record or obituary.  Details will vary with each biography but will often include the date and place of birth, parent names including mothers' maiden name, name of wife including maiden name, her parents' names, name of children (including spouses if married), former places of residence, occupation details, military service, church and social organization affiliations, and more.  There are often ancestry details included that cannot be found in any other type of genealogical record.

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SAMUEL N. MILLER, a member of the firm of J. R. Miller’s Sons, dealers in coal and grain, with offices and elevators at Shiremanstown and New Kingstown, Pa., is one of the valued residents of Mechanicsburg. He was born Aug. 4, 1861, in Myerstown, Lebanon Co., Pa., son of Jacob R. and Sarah Ann (Noecker) Miller.

Jacob R. Miller, the father, was born in 1832, in Berks county, Pa., and died May 20, 1897. He followed the milling business for a number of years and later established a grain and coal business at Shiremanstown, Cumberland county, at White Hill, Trindle Spring and later at New Kingstown, all located on the Cumberland Valley railroad. Until his death he continued in active business. He was an energetic, capable man, and was respected for his honesty and integrity. In politics, he was a Republican, and he served a number of years on the town council at Shiremanstown and also as president of the village. He married Sarah Ann Noecker, who was born in 1831, at Mohrsville, Berks county, and died in 1893. She was a daughter of John Noecker an early settler of Berks county. Their children were: Milton, deceased; Wilson N., who lives in Shiremanstown, of the firm of J. R. Miller’s Sons; Jacob Morris; and Samuel N.

Samuel N. Miller completed his primary education in the schools of Shiremanstown, and then entered the Cumberland Valley Institute, and subsequently took a course in the Eastman Business College at Poughkeepsie, N. Y. After completing his commercial course he returned to Shiremanstown, and for five years was engaged in clerking in a hardware and general store in Shiremanstown, taking care of his father’s interests. Later he became associated in business with his father and two brothers in their grain and coal enterprises, under the firm name of J. R. Miller’s Sons, wholesale and retail dealers in grain and coal at Shiremanstown and New Kingstown. This firm is well known in business circles, having elevators well equipped for doing business at the various points Among the Cumberland Valley railroad.

In 1887 Mr. Miller married Emma Booser, of Camp Hill, daughter of Henry O. and Elizabeth (Longenecker) Booser, formerly of Dauphin county. Mr. and Mrs. Miller have four children: Sarah I., Samuel Carrol, Edith and Ruth. The family home is a beautiful residence at No. 514 West Main street. Both Mr. Miller and his wife are members of St. John’s Lutheran Church at Shiremanstown, where he has been a member of the choir for the past twenty-five years. Politically, Mr. Miller is a Republican, and he is a member of the school board of Mechanicsburg. Fraternally, he is prominent in the Masonic bodies, being a member and Past Master of Eureka Lodge, No. 302, F. & A. M.; Past High Priest of Samuel C. Perkins Chapter, No. 209, R. A. M.; Past Thrice Illustrious Grand Master of Harrisburg Council, No. 7; Royal and Select Master and Eminent Commander of Pilgrim Commandery, No. 11, Knights Templar, Harrisburg; Past Most Wise and Perfect Master, Harrisburg Chapter, Rose Croix, 18th degree; member of Harrisburg Consistory of the S. P. R. S.; of Zembo Temple, A. A. O. N. M. S., of Harrisburg, Pa.; and District Deputy Grand Master of the Grand Council of the State of Pennsylvania, District No. 5. He is also a member of Mechanicsburg Lodge, No. 215, I. O. O. F.; and of Irene Lodge, No. 425, Knights of Pythias, Shiremanstown. He is an honorary member of the Rescue Hook and Ladder Company of Mechanicsburg and belongs also to the Business Men’s League of the same city. In all business and social affairs he is a prominent factor, and he is a citizen who is held in the highest esteem.

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This family biography is one of numerous biographies included in the Biographical Annals of Cumberland County, Pennsylvania published in 1905 by The Genealogical Publishing Company. 

View additional Cumberland County, Pennsylvania family biographies here: Cumberland County, Pennsylvania Biographies

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