Читать книгу History of Westchester County, New York, Volume 2 - Группа авторов - Страница 43

In tracing the genealogy of this gentleman, we find that he is descended from a long line of sturdy, intelligent and honorable ancestors. More than two centuries have passed since the family was founded in America, and its representatives have been prominently connected with the progress and development of this section of the Empire state through all the period of colonial settlement, of Revolutionary struggle and victory, of the establishment of the republic, and of its latter-day progress and advancement. It was about the year 1680 when John Miller, a native of Germany, crossed the Atlantic to the British possessions in the New World and located in the county of Westchester, New York. An old chronicler says: " He possessed all the land from the north line of the rural cemetery, bounded on the west by Bronx river, northeasterly by the Bronx and the land of William Davis, about two miles in length and a half in breadth. He left four sons and four daughters. The land was divided among the sons, who were James, Abram, Elijah and Anthony." Mr. Miller, of this sketch, is descended from both Elijah and Anthony, Martha, the second daughter of Elijah, becoming the wife of William, eldest son of Anthony Miller, and their oldest son, also named Elijah, was the grandfather of Samuel C. Miller. Elijah, the third son of the Westchester pioneer, was a lieutenant in the Continental army. He married Ann Fisher, and in a memorial which appeared in the Methodist Magazine, in December, 1819, it will be seen that their farm-house in Westchester, after having been used as Washington's headquarters, became one of the earliest places of worship for the Methodists, — next, in fact, to the old John street church in New York city. This article, in speaking of Ann Fisher Miller, said: "She, who had given water to wash the hands of Generals Washington, Putnam, Lewis and others, officers and soldiers, now provided for the disciples of Christ, bearing the despised Methodist name, bread and water. She became a mother in the church and an heir to righteousness. She prepared her home for meetings, and bore the expense for several years, some gradual fruit of the Word appearing among her friends and neighbors. Among others, the hearts of the Hon. Pierre Van Cortlandt and his amiable wife, with some of their children, were turned to favor the cause of Methodism with others who suffered reproach with this people of God."

Samuel C. Miller, whose name introduces this review, was born in Cincinnati, Ohio, August 1, 1848, and for thirty years has been a resident of White Plains. His education was completed in the Alexander Military Institute, after which he embarked in mercantile pursuits in New York city. In 1878 he was appointed postmaster by President Hayes and in 1882 was reappointed by President Arthur, serving in that position for eight consecutive years, as a most efficient and faithful officer. In 1890 ex-Senator Warner Miller, then president of the Nicaragua Canal Construction Company, made him his private secretary, and he made himself so useful to the company in that capacity that he was elected its treasurer and remained in that place until the company was reorganized. He has always been a prominent factor in public affairs in White Plains and in its municipal interests, and has been honored with a number of positions of trust and responsibility. Having served for two years as a trustee of the village, in 1895 he was prevailed upon by his friends to become a candidate for the presidency of White Plains. The law having been changed just before the election, he has the distinguished honor of being the only president of the village ever elected by the votes of the people. During the year 1896 he served as deputy register of Westchester county and at the present time is village president and deputy county treasurer. His administration of the affairs of all these offices has been marked by the most unfaltering fidelity to duty, and he has thereby won the commendation of all concerned.

Mr. Miller is a very prominent Mason, and for twenty-five years has been connected with that most ancient and beneficent of all the fraternities. He is a worthy exemplar of its teaching and has won high honors at the hands of his brethren of the organization. He was made a Mason in White Plains Lodge, No. 473, F. & A. M. ; in 1874 and again in 1878 was elected its secretary; in 1880 and 1881 was treasurer; in 1882 and 1883 junior warden; from 1886 to 1890, inclusive, was chaplain; in 1890 was elected as trustee, serving as such until 1897; in 1884, 1891, 1892 and 1893 was worshipful master, and in 1893 was appointed senior grand deacon. He is now district deputy grand master of the twelfth Masonic district, and in Masonic circles he is regarded as one of the most prominent representatives of the fraternity in southeastern New York. He is a man of high intellectuality, broad human sympathies and tolerance and imbued with fine sensibilities and clearly defined principles. Honor and integrity are synonymous with his name, and he enjoys the respect, confidence and high regard of the community.