Miller, S.M.
July 15th, 2007
Samuel M. Miller 1820-1904
Samuel M. Miller was born near Catawissa, Columbia County on November 17, 1820 to Henry and Catharine Mastellar Miller. Mr. Miller settled in Northumberland County in 1864 and settled in Watsontown in 1871. He had been involved in the tannery business, the car shops, the Watsontown Furniture and Table Works, the Watsontown Boot & Shoe Company and was a stockholder in the Watsontown National Bank, and for a number of years was one of the proprietors of the Watsontown Record.
In 1872 S.M. Miller was elected as an overseer, but through a special election on April 2, 1872 to settle the tie vote between Isaac N. Messinger and E.H. Russell Mr. Miller was elected Chief Burgess taking office on April 4, 1872. During his year as Chief Burgess the "Dog Muzzle" ordinance was passed and gum buckets were purchased to be used in case of fire. The fire engine "Eureka" was purchased and an engine house built to house it. Following his administration Mr. Miller took a year off from public service and then was elected as a school director in 1874 for one year. In 1876 he was elected to the council where he was elected treasurer resigning from both positions in June of that same year. In 1877 he was elected to the school board where he was elected treasurer which he served until he was elected overseer in 1884.
Mr. Miller was married on April 13, 1841 to Emeline Shuman of Catawissa. Emeline was born on April 6, 1822. They had the following children: Hulda, Barbara, Miranda, Amanda (born about 1850), Francis H. (born about1853), Emma (born about 1856), Charles (born about 1863), and a baby that died in infancy. Mr. Miller was one of the trustees of the St. Bartholomew Union Church which was the first church built in Watsontown and was also one of the largest subscribers to the erection of the First Lutheran Church in Watsontown. He was a Democrat in politics. He was a member of the Watsontown Lodge, No. 401, F. & A.M. having been raised to Master Mason on April 3, 1872. He had also been a director of the Watsontown Cemetery Association. He and his wife both died on November 23, 1904 and are buried in the Watsontown Cemetery.
[The Northumberland County Pennsylvania Burials, Vol. VI, Meiser, Jr. Joseph A. and Meiser, Sarah Roadarmel, 1991, pg. 184.]
Last Modified: 08.08.09