My Genealogy Hound

JOHN I. MILLER, the well known ex-Sheriff of Northampton County, and a prominent business man of Portland, who for several years has been extensively engaged in the manufacture of wood and coal-burnt lime, was born in Pennsylvania, November 2, 1851. His parents, Samuel and Susan (Labar) Miller, were also natives of the same place. Both the Miller and Labar families were early settlers of Lower Mt. Bethel Township, and their descendants have made their home in that township for several generations.

Samuel Miller, the father of our subject, was a farmer by occupation, but died when comparatively a young man. Of his children two survive: John I., and Elmira, the wife of L. H. Nicholas, the popular Cashier of the First National Bank at East Stroudsburg. Susan Miller, the mother of our subject, is still living at an advanced age, and resides in Portland.

John I. Miller, the subject of this sketch, was reared on a farm, and attended the public schools of his native county, but in a practical, or business, sense is mainly self educated. When he was two years of age, his parents removed from their farm to Portland, where he still resides. In the year 1878 he first engaged in the manufacture of wood and coal-burnt lime, and also saltpetre lime, the best fertilizer for land, and the only lime of the kind in the county. He runs five kilns, in which the lime is burnt, and employs about sixteen men. He is doing a large and extensive business, and his trade is rapidly increasing, the products being sold all over the country. In connection with his other interests, he is engaged in agricultural pursuits, having under cultivation over one hundred acres of fine farm land. In this, as well as in the manufacturing business, he has been very successful and is regarded as a model farmer and a first-class business man. He is also connected with the Bangor & Portland Railroad as Treasurer and Director.

Mr. Miller and Miss Emma M., a daughter of David A. Brands, of Warren County, N. J., were married December 22, 1875, and three children have been born to them, Susie B., Maggie M. and Edith B. Socially our subject is identified with the Masonic order, holding membership with Portland Lodge No. 311 of the former society, and the Knights of Pythias. He is at the present time serving as School Director of Portland, and was formerly a member of the Council of the borough for one year.

In 1886 Mr. Miller was elected Sheriff on the Independent ticket, although a Democrat in political views. He entered into the duties of that office the following January, and served a term of three years. He has been very successful in his business undertakings, and is widely known and very popular throughout the county of Northampton, having the fullest confidence of the entire community. He is public spirited, and in favor of every honest means to improve the county and elevate society.