M. A. MILLER EDITOR OF “THE ECHO” PASSED AWAY FRIDAY
Milton A. Miller, passed away at his home, North Market Street [Elizabethville], early Friday morning April 2, 1937, aged 77 years, 9 months and 2 days.
He was a son of the late James Miller and Sarah [Hoffman] Miller, whose ancestors were among the first settlers of Lykens Valley.
Born in Jackson Township, Dauphin County, June 30, 1859, he was baptized August 9, 1859, by the Rev. N. E. Bressler. In 1875 he was confirmed into membership of the Salem’s Reformed congregation in the Old Stone Church, Elizabethville, by the Rev. J. Kretzing.
He spent his early boyhood in this community and after graduating from the Berrysburg Seminary in 1879, served as a teacher in the public schools of Washington Township, Armstrong Valley and Elizabethville for a number of years. Later he attended the first school of telegraphy at Oberlin, Ohio, and for twenty-three years was a train dispatcher for the Pennsylvania Railroad on the Rochester and Buffalo Divisions, being stationed at Olean and Buffalo, New York.
He was married June 12, 1890 to Susan Rebecca Lupold at her home in Elizabethville, by the Rev. Stephen H. Evans, pastor of the Methodist Episcopal Church of Lykens.
Purchased “The Echo” in 1904
In August 1904 he moved from Buffalo, New York to Elizabethville after purchasing The Elizabethville Echo and printing business from its founder, Albert H. Smith, and continued its operation as Editor and Publisher to the time of his death.
Appointed Postmaster in 1916
From 1916 to 1924 he served as Postmaster of this borough [Elizabethville], having received his appointments under President Woodrow Wilson. He was also a former Democratic Committeeman of this borough.
He was a member of Salem’s Reformed Church and had served as a teacher and Superintendent of the Sunday School for a number of years. He was a charter member of Syrian Lodge. Council No. 16, I.O.O.F., Elizabethville, his membership dating from May 8, 1909.
Survivors are his wife, one daughter, Ruth A. Covell (Mrs. A. Maynard Covell) of Brookline, Massachusetts; three sons, Donald L. Miller, Brooklyn, New York; Miles V. Miller, of Elizabethville; and Eugene K. Miller, at home.
Other survivors are two sisters: Mrs. Agnes Bolton, of Valley View, Pennsylvania; Mrs. Lena Cooper, Elizabethville; one brother, Harvey M. Miller, of Elizabethville, who is secretary of the Lykens Valley Mutual Fire Insurance Company, and three granddaughters, Marilyn Jeanne Miller, Janet Elaine Miller, and Ruth Susanne Miller, Elizabethville. An infant son preceded him in death.
Funeral services were held from the residence Monday afternoon at 2:30 o’clock, April 5, 1937, the Rev. C. P. Wehr, D.D., pastor of the Lykens Valley Reformed Charge, officiating. Interment was made in Maple Grove Cemetery.
His striking resemblance to the late William Jennings Bryan was the source of genuine enjoyment to him upon many occasions, for he was often mistaken for the former Presidential candidate. Even Bryan himself recognized him as his “double” while lecturing from the Chautauqua platform at Millersburg some years ago, when he went into the audience to make his acquaintance. The late editor thoroughly enjoyed the wholesome philosophy and Christian principles of the silver-tongued orator, particularly his writings on “Immortality.” He never forgot the words of Brian when “The Commoner” said: “Death is but the sun-lit path between the companionship of Today and the reunion of Tomorrow.”
For many years, the late editor labored under severe physical handicaps, and, during the last two years of his life, his health gradually declined so that he was no longer able to continue his work.
A steadfast vision, which was part of his heritage, and which he further developed throughout his years, enabled him to see the right road, and he traveled it, carrying the burdens which were given him to carry. He loved love, hated hatred. He cherished the finer proprieties of life, gave a smile and a jest to ordinary conversation. He remembered charity, forgot self, craved friendship. God’s gift to him was not a silver tongue but a golden heart.
He died as he had lived: contentedly and peacefully – at home with his family.
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Obituary from the Elizabethville Echo at the time of his death, 1937.
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