My Genealogy Hound

JACOB MILLER, a retired farmer of Lehigh County, is well known throughout its length and breadth, and his high reputation and material prosperity are the reward of unusual natural ability, industriously applied. He has been prospered in his calling as an agriculturist, and for the past few years has been leading a life retired from active work in the city of Catasauqua.

Like many of the best citizens of this county, our subject is a native of Pennsylvania, having been born in Allen Township, Northampton County, November 18, 1828. He is a son of Jacob Miller, who was also born in the above place, his father, Henry Miller, having been a native of this state. The great-grandfather of our subject came from Germany, and on arriving in America purchased the farm on which our subject was born.

The family of our subject’s grandfather comprised six children, all of whom are deceased. He was an extensive and wealthy farmer, who owned three different estates, located near the city of Catasauqua, and made a specialty of breeding a fine grade of horses. He was a man of sterling integrity and excellent business ability, and was a member of the Lutheran Church at Kreidersville. His wife, Mrs. Barbara (Schriber) Miller, died in Northampton County, when in her seventy-fourth year.

The father of our subject, who was also a farmer by occupation, purchased one of the estates belonging to his father. It comprised one hundred acres, and the well tilled fields and neat appearance of the place indicated the careful supervision of the owner. During the last twenty-five years of his life he lived retired. He died in the fall of 1879, when in his seventy-eighth year. Like his honored father, he was also a member of the Lutheran Church. The lady to whom he was married was Miss Nancy Snyder, who was born in Fullerton, this county, and was a daughter of Henry Snyder, a wealthy farmer, who owned what is the present site of Fullerton. His landed possessions comprised three hundred acres, and in his farming operations he met with good success. Mrs. Miller suffered severely from ill-health, having been an invalid for seven years prior to her decease. She was a member of the Reformed Church.

Jacob Miller, of this sketch, was the eldest of the parental family of three children, his brother and sister being Henry S., a resident of Allentown; and Mary, now Mrs. E. Elick, who lives in East Allen Township, Northampton County. Jacob was reared on the old homestead and received a fair education. In 1856 he was married to Miss Caroline B., daughter of Daniel Snyder. For a quarter of a century he rented land from his father, on which he farmed, but in 1873 he purchased four acres of ground, which he divided into forty-nine lots, now included in the city of Allentown. This he held until the streets were opened through his property, and in 1890 he laid it out as an addition to the city. It lies between Linden, Hamilton, West and Sixteenth Streets. In addition to his city property he owns one hundred acres of the old homestead, which he occupied until 1882 (the date of his removal to this city), and he also owns a beautiful residence, located on the corner of Front and Union Streets.

Mr. Miller suffered a severe loss in the death of his first wife, who died at the age of forty-two years, deeply regretted. On the 10th of May, 1870, he was again married, this union being with Miss Elizabeth M. Koontz, also a native of this state. Mrs. Miller is the daughter of Adam Koontz, who was a farmer during the greater part of his life, and died in 1882, at the great age of eighty-five years. Her mother, prior to her marriage Miss Caroline Stamm, was born in Berlins ville, Northampton County, and was the daughter of Jacob Stamm, a prominent farmer in that county, where he was also engaged as a merchant and proprietor of a hotel. Mr. Stamm was active in public affairs and served many years efficiently as Justice of the Peace. His wife died in 1879, when sixty-nine years old. Mrs. Miller is the eldest but one in the parental family, and has one brother and two sisters living.

By his first union our subject became the father of two children: Ida, now Mrs. Burt Stevens, who makes her home near Rochester, Ohio; and Carrie A., at home with her father. Mr. Miller was one of the organizers of the Anti-Horse Thief Association, of which he was made Captain, holding the position until 1880. In religious affairs he holds membership with St. Paul’s Lutheran Church at Catasauqua, and while residing in Shoenersville was Elder and Deacon for twelve years. He aided very liberally in the erection of the churches in both cities. His daughter Carrie is a member of Trinity Lutheran Church.

Mr. Miller is a true-blue Republican in politics. He is well read in medical science and studied homeopathy for thirty years. Although not making a practice of the medical profession, he has cured many ulcers, and thus far has been his own family physician.