Harry Stephen Miller (Trafford City, PA)

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Harry S. Miller Courtesy of Fred Benson

Harry Stephen Miller (October 24, 1872 – October 18, 1969)

Biography

Harry S. Miller's 89th Birthday with Nieces, October 1961 Courtesy of Fred Benson
1918 First National Bank Stock Certificate signed by Harry S. Miller Courtesy of Fred Benson
  • Name: Harry Stephen Miller
  • Birth: October 24, 1872 Mooresville, Huntingdon County, PA
  • Death: October 18, 1969 Elizabethtown, PA (Buried Mooresville, PA)

Harry Stephen Miller was born October 24,1872 at Mooresville, Shavers Creek Valley, West Township, Huntingdon County, Pennsylvania. His parents were David Blanchard Miller (1842-1919) and Carlisle (also known as Caroline) Eliza Hutchinson Miller (1844-1887). David Blanchard Miller, who was a Civil War Veteran, dealt in horses and farm equipment and also sold life insurance. Harry had three sisters, one of whom lived to adulthood - Anna B. Miller Henry (1878-1938).

Harry completed an eighth-grade education at the public school in Mooresville and then attended summer sessions at the state normal school in Millersville, Pennsylvania. Thereafter he returned to Mooresville and taught school. On February 28,1914, Harry married Bertha Ella Johnston (1872-1959). Harry and Bertha, who were second cousins, had no children.

Following his career as an educator, Harry became a banker. From 1917 until 1928 he was cashier of the First National Bank of Trafford City, Westmoreland County, Pennsylvania. In that capacity he signed both national banknotes and stock certificates. His signature on these documents appears as “H. S. Miller”.

Harry was an active Mason and achieved the 33rd degree. He drove a Chandler automobile (Chandler Motor Car Company was in business 1913-1929) and commented that it was a fine car.

Bertha’s mother, Deborah Ann Oaks Johnston (1845-1927) spent her final years residing with Harry and Bertha in their Trafford home.

Census records show Harry was an insurance salesman in 1930.

During the Great Depression Harry and Bertha lost most of their life savings when the savings and loan where they kept their money closed. Thereafter Bertha would lament that it was terrible to be poor. In those days there were no public benefits such as unemployment insurance or Social Security.

In 1945 Harry and Bertha moved to the Masonic Homes in Elizabethtown, Pennsylvania and lived there the rest of their lives. They gave all of their assets to the homes in exchange for their lifetime care. During their early years there, Harry drove a Masonic Homes automobile to provide transportation for other residents - until loss of hearing prevented him from continuing. He then worked in the Masonic Homes post office for many years. While they lived at Elizabethtown, Harry and Bertha made regular visits to the homes of nieces in Huntingdon, PA, Lancaster, PA and Catonsville, MD. Even as an elderly man, Harry always wore a suit (often a three-piece suit), carried a gold pocket watch and smoked three "stogie" cigars a day.

Harry Stephen Miller passed away at the age of 96 at the Masonic Homes hospital on October 18,1969 following a short illness. He is buried in the Mooresville Cemetery, close to his birthplace.

Biography written by Fred Benson (a relative of Harry S. Miller)

Bank Officer Summary

During his banking career, H. S. Miller was involved with the following bank(s):


$20 Series 1902 Plain Back bank note with stamped signatures of H.S. Miller, Cashier and H.T. Wynn, President. Courtesy of Heritage Auctions, www.ha.com


Sources

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