L. B. Miller
L. B. Miller, proprietor of the Harrod Creamery and the Harrod Stave and Hub Mills, was born August 23, 1864, in York County, Pennsylvania, which was the home of the Millers for several generations. The great-grandfather of our subject came from Germany about the year 1802 and located in York County. There Adam Miller, the grandfather, was born, lived and died. He was a school teacher and also handled insurance. The parents of L. B. Miller are David F. and Angelina (Bortner) Miller, both natives of Pennsylvania, where they now reside.
David F. Miller was born in York County, Pennsylvania, in April, 1831, and has always carried on farming. He owns a farm of 160 acres, upon which he resides; but a stroke of paralysis has left him in feeble health and less active than formerly. He is a Democrat and has held a number of local offices. He was drafted into the army but, owing to the bitter opposition of his parents, he remained at home and sent a substitute to whom he paid $1,000. He married Angelina Bortner and to them were born nine children, only four of whom are living, namely: L. B., William B., of York County, Pennsylvania; Alice, who married A. B. Albright and lives in her native county; and Howard B., who lives with his parents and has charge of the farm. Both Mr. and Mrs. Miller are consistent members of the German Reformed Church.
L. B. Miller received his education in schools of York County and later took a business course in a commercial school in Philadelphia. He engaged in teaching for a short time and after leaving college accepted a position as bookkeeper with John Wanamaker, with whom he remained two years until failing health caused him to retire and seek a change of occupation. Returning to York County, he worked in a produce and general merchandise store, and about this time also became interested in the creamery business. This he learned, becoming thoroughly familiar with every phase of the industry. Embarking in the enterprise for himself, he conducted his creamery in York County for six years and then came to Allen County, and purchased the cooperative creamery at Harrod, which he has operated since the spring of 1898. In addition to this business which he has made a profitable one, he bought a new engine, boiler, etc., and established the Harrod Stave and Hub Mills, which manufactures walnut gun-stocks, squares for ball bats, etc., sending its output to prominent manufacturers of those articles. He has not yet begun the manufacture of hubs but expects to start that industry soon.
On August 23, 1891, Mr. Miller celebrated his 27th birthday by marrying Annie Hoke, daughter of David M. Hoke, of York County, Pennsylvania. Three children have been born to them, viz: David, born February 15, 1892, and who died at the age of two weeks; Leroy, born February 1, 1894; and Diamond May born May 19, 1905. Mrs. Miller is a member of the Lutheran Church while Mr. Miller belongs to the German Reformed. He supports the Democratic National ticket, but in local politics is independent. Fraternally, Mr. Miller is a member of the Modern Woodmen of America and the Junior Order of United American Mechanics.
From History of Allen County, Ohio and Representative Citizens, Part 2, Edited & Compiled by Charles C. Miller, Ph. D.; Richmond & Arnold, Publishers, Chicago, 1906