Читать книгу History of Bridgeport and Vicinity, Volume 2: Biographical - George Curtis Waldo jr. - Страница 21

Frank Miller, president of the City National Bank, occupies a foremost position in banking circles of Bridgeport, while his varied and extensive interests in other lines have made him a valued and important factor in the financial, commercial and industrial growth of the city. He was born August 3, 1848, in Middletown, Connecticut, where his ancestors had settled nearly two hundred years before, being among the founders of that town, which was then called Mattabasset. Frank Miller is a son of Stephen Miller (III) and Lucretia (Fairchild) Miller and is a representative in the sixth generation of the descendants of Thomas Miller, who founded the family in Connecticut, the line being traced down through Thomas (II) and three Stephens. Thomas Miller, the progenitor, was the owner of a house and an acre and a half of ground at Rowley, Massachusetts, in 1643 and was "licensed to draw wine in 1647." Sometime between 1651 and 1654 he removed to what is now Middletown, Connecticut, where his name appears on the town records March 10, 1654, according to a vote passed at a town meeting. The town was soon in need of a mill and in January, 1655, the selectmen and Thomas Miller signed an agreement whereby, the town granting certain aid, Mr. Miller engaged to build a mill adequate to grind the town's corn and have it in readiness by the 10th of December following. He became one of the prominent men of his community and his will, dated August 11, 1680, gave his age as "something above seventy years" and disposed of an estate of three hundred and seventy-six pounds and ten shillings. His second wife, whom he married June 6, 1666, was Sarah Nettleton, who died March 20, 1727, or 1728.

Thomas Miller (II), their eldest son, was born in Middletown, Connecticut, May 6, 1667, and there died September 24, 1727. He succeeded to the milling business established by his father and carried it on for some time. On the 25th of December, 1696, he married his second wife, Mary Rowell. Their family included Stephen Miller, who was born March 5, 1699, in Middletown, and there passed away August 15, 1783. He was a farmer and always made his home in Middletown. On the 2nd of July, 1730, he married Anna Goodrich, a daughter of Richard and Hannah (Bulkeley) Goodrich. She was born in 1710 and died June 10, 1777. Their son, Stephen Miller (II), was born in Middletown, February 11, 1739, or 1740, and died July 21, 1822. He was an importer and shipowner, with a fleet of vessels in the West India trade. In those days the Connecticut river towns enjoyed an immense trade in rum, sugar, molasses and other products of the West Indies. Middletown was one of the most important towns of the state and the fifth port in the United States in point of volume of shipping. Stephen Miller (II) was one of the prominent business men of the place and during the War of 1812 lost sixteen of his vessels. He was married twice, his second wife, whom he wedded July 2, 1780, being Lucy Roberts, a daughter of William and Elizabeth (Jones) Roberts. She was born in 1755 and died January 10, 1837.

Their son, Stephen Miller (III), father of Frank Miller of this review, was a native pf Middletown and always resided there. He became an extensive farmer, also owned and operated a grist mill and engaged in the lumber business, while with other important commercial enterprises of that locality he was connected. When about sixty years of age he retired from active business but continued his residence in Middletown until called to the home beyond. His second wife, who bore the maiden name of Lucretia Fairchild, was a daughter of Elisha and Lucretia (Try on) Fairchild. The Fairchilds were early settlers of Stratford, Connecticut, the family being represented there as early as 1650.

Frank Miller attended the schools of Middletown, where he was reared, and wits also a student in the celebrated school there, Chase's Institute, which was conducted by Daniel H. Chase and was attended by boys from all over the country. In 1863, when a boy of but fifteen years, he enlisted for service in the Civil war as a member of the First Connecticut Heavy Artillery and was on active duty with the Army of the Potomac under General U. S. Grant, serving until the close of the war and participating in a number of the hotly contested engagements. In the early '70s he established his home in Bridgeport and became a member of the firm of Miller & Strickland, engaged in the coal trade. He afterward purchased his partner's interest and the firm became Frank Miller & Company, under which caption they conducted an extensive business, but in 1907 Mr. Miller disposed of his interest to Archibald McNeil & Sons. He became active in other fields, including the lumber trade, in which connection he organized the Frank Miller Lumber Company and developed an immense business in lumber, sash and door manufacturing and wood turning. He has been president of this company since its organization and has been an active factor in the promotion of one of the foremost undertakings of the kind in the city. He became an active factor in banking circles when in 1889 he was elected a director of the City National Bank, of which ultimately he was made vice president, while in 1916, upon the death of E. E. Sanford, Mr. Miller became president of the bank and has since remained its executive head. The recognition of his sound judgment, his keen insight and his business enterprise have led to his cooperation being sought along various lines and he has become associated with a number of business enterprises of the most important character, contributing in large measure to the commercial development of the city and of other districts. He is now treasurer of the Lake Torpedo Boat Company of Bridgeport, is the president of the Citizens Coal Company of Waterbury and is also interested in a number of other industrial and financial concerns.

On the 25th of November, 1869, at Waterbury, Mr. Miller was united in marriage to Miss Emily Louisa Clinton, a native of Woodbridge, Connecticut, and a daughter of Ira D. and Mary A. (Lewis) Clinton. Mrs. Miller passed away in Bridgeport, October 4, 1907, and is survived by one of her three children, Stephen, who was born in New Britain, Connecticut, and is now a resident of San Francisco, California. On the 5th of November, 1908, at Bridgeport, Mr. Miller married Miss Anna Drew Hallock, a daughter of Henry L. and Mary Frances (Drew) Hallock. The father of Mrs. Miller was born on Long Island and came to Bridgeport as a young man, after which for many years he conducted business as a merchant tailor here. He was a son of William Henry Hallock and a descendant of Peter Hallock, who came from England and settled on Long Island early in the seventeenth century. The mother of Mrs. Miller was a daughter of Wheeler Drew and his wife, who in her maidenhood was a Miss Hurd. Mr. and Mrs. Miller are prominently known in social circles of Bridgeport, where the hospitality of the best homes is freely accorded them. They are members of St. John's Episcopal church and Mr. Miller maintains pleasant relations with his old army comrades as a member of Elias Howe Post, No. 38, G. A. R. of which he is commander. He is also a Mason of high rank, belonging to Corinthian Lodge, F. & A. M.; Jerusalem Chapter, R. A. M.; Jerusalem Council, R. & S. M.; Hamilton Commandery, K. T.; the Consistory of the Scottish Rite; and Pyramid Temple of the Mystic Shrine.

In politics a democrat, he feels the interest of an active business man and progressive citizen in the questions and issues of the day but has never cared for political preferment. He has served as a member of the board of education and has been a member of the board of apportionment and taxation in Bridgeport. He stands for all that is progressive in community life and has cooperated in many well devised plans and measures for the general good. It is said that his charities are many but they are most quietly and unostentatiously given, many times known only to the recipients. He has been a successful business man, making wise use of his time, talents and opportunities, but not only organizations for profit but other institutions and concerns have benefited by the value of his judgment and his direction.