Obituary of Henry B. Miller 1818-1890
Published in the South Bend and Chicago Papers
Draft copy given to William Miller (brother of deceased)
------------------------------------
Death's Shining Mark
Hon. H. B. Miller
1818-1890
One week ago Tuesday afternoon Hon. H. B. Miller, a picture of health and strength, accompanied by Mrs. Miller, went to Chicago for a visit with the hope that rest and recreation would be agreeable to Mrs. Miller who was not feeling at all well.
A few days afterward word came here to his family that Mr. Miller himself was sick with his old disease, inflammation of the bladder, and in response to the telegram his daughter Clara went to Chicago to assist for the caring for her father. This morning his relatives and friends in this city were inexpressible shocked and grieved to learn that about 1:30 o'clock Tuesday morning Mr. Miller had died of inflammation of the bowels.
Not the least idea of such a thing had entered any person's mind among all his friends and acquaintances'. The fact even that he had inflammation of the bowels was not known, and none were prepared to hear of death's summons being answered with so prominent a sacrifice. Mrs. Reed and Wm H. Miller left for Chicago on Tuesday morning to be with their father, not knowing when they left here that that father was dead.
The late Mr. Miller was a man whose life had been, indeed, an eventful one. He had been identified with the Legislature of various states; had served in various public offices; had been identified with several great public improvements; had been for many years a journalist; was for some time the president of the National Association of Distillers; and in all these varied experiences and positions he left the impress of his individuality and energy.
Hon. H. B. Miller was born in Lebanon County, Pennsylvania, April 16, 1818, hence at the time of his death was 71 years, 7 months and 3 days. Very far beyond the province of this article is a description of his eventful life. We can hope to give but the barest review of Mr. Miller's life work, the scant data at hand furnishing material sufficient for a lengthy biography. The facts we have learned regarding his past life were secured from his brother, ex-Mayor William Miller, cashier at the South Bend National Bank.
Henry B. Miller at the age of 13 years was apprenticed in a printing office at Lebanon, Pa., and there learned the trade that particularly fitted him for his protracted and able journalistic career. At the age of 18 years he came West and for a short time worked at Goshen, under the late Hon. Charles L. Murray in the printing office belonging to that gentleman. From there he went to Cincinnati about the year 1836 and soon returned to Niles where he conducted a Whig newspaper called the Niles Republican and to which he united the successor to Niles first newspaper, The Niles Intelligencer, which he purchased in 1841.
D.B. Cook, present editor of the Niles Mirror and a warm friend of Mr. Miller to the very last, being about to start a Democratic paper in 1842 (bringing an office to Niles), Mr. Miller, just previous to issuing the first number, made a proposition to unite the two offices and convert the Republican from a Whig to a Democratic paper, which Mr. Cook accepted, and ran it for twenty years. Mr. Miller in the meantime had gone to Kalamazoo and there started another paper. At one time he controlled several Southern Michigan papers at a period when the publication of the state laws and such other legal advertising made the proprietorship of these newspapers quite desirable and profitable thing. From Kalamazoo Mr. Miller went to Buffalo where he established a German newspaper called the Telegraph and continued publishing the same for about twenty years, the paper starting as a Whig paper. Having secured a contract on the Eric Canal which earned for him a snug profit of $180,00, Mr. Miller gave outright to his old apprentice, a man named Bender, his Buffalo newspaper, that gentleman continuing it's publication. The Telegraph is still a leading German newspaper in Western New York and Wm. Schermann, one of the Times compositors, worked at that paper in 1866. It is related of Mr. Miller that to enable him to get the profitable contract on the Erie Canal it was necessary for him to borrow $300. Right handsomely did he make that $300 multiply under his energetic and shrewd business management of contracts which it enabled him to begin. While in Buffalo he served two years in the New York legislature. While there he was also appointed light house inspector on the Great Lakes under President Taylor's administration. He then came west and settled in Chicago. While in Cook County he served one term as county treasurer and also a term in the Illinois legislature, his joining forces there with A.C. Hesing making him a most prominent factor in Republican politics. It was while living in Chicago that he earned the sobriquet of "Buffalo" Miller, from his having a large buffalo head over the main entrance to his brewery and also from his frequent references to his old town of Buffalo as being "the only place on earth." He went to Springfield and Riverton, Ill., establishing at Riverton a large distillery that ultimately placed him in the position of the president of the National Distillers Association. From his connection with this association he enjoyed a large salary, we believe, up to the time of his death.
About four years ago Mr. Miller and family removed to this city ( South Bend ) and located their very pleasant residence property on East Jefferson Street, near Sunnyside. Here in ease and retirement he proposed to end his days. Much against his own wishes he was brought out in the last city campaign as a candidate on the Republican ticket for mayor. Up to that time, as he remarked in his speech at the nominating convention, he had never known what defeat was. He was defeated in that campaign however, but no one took the defeat more philosophically than did Mr. Miller himself.
This obituary notice would be incomplete if it failed to refer to his connection with the great telegraph contracts that took him through various parts of the United States and Canada. Mr. Miller was a man of wide information and had traveled extensively. He had visited every part of the United States and had observed as an experienced traveler. When he had seen his own country in all its phases and in every section from Gulf to lakes, from ocean to ocean, he went to Europe and there enjoyed a long tour of pleasure and observation. Nothing of note could escape his attention and the details of his trip came most interestingly from his letters or from his own lips.
He was a man of commanding physique, was the picture of health; enjoyed life with the utmost zest; was an intelligent, companionable gentleman; an earnest, faithful friend. He was known all over the country; reckoned his friendships among the nation's leading men; as a citizen was liberal and progressive; as a husband and parent possessed his family's sincerest love. The needy never suffered when their needs were made known to H. B. Miller. His life was an illustration of the possibilities that are in store for the American boy with the pluck and energy to contest in the broad fields of life' for the prize of success. He did nothing half-heartedly and in that may be largely found the reason for his succeeding so well.
Mr. Miller had gone beyond the allotted three score and ten, but life seemed to offer him a score of years to overflow its measure. In his death South Bend loses a good citizen, his circle of friends its leading spirit, his family a loving husband and father. Age seemed to have no second childhood for him, but only appeared to be the season for a well earned and greatly enjoyed rest.
He leaves a wife, a son, Wm. H. Miller, and two daughters, Mrs. Kate Reed and Miss Clara Miller. Besides his brother, ex-Mayor Miller, he has another brother, Joseph Miller of the firm of Miller and Lontz, of this city and a brother John, who lives on the "reserve" about ten miles north of this place in Michigan. His surviving sisters are Mrs. Malinda Kingery of Buchanan, Mich., and Mrs. Gerberich, now in this city visiting with ex-Mayor Miller. He leaves a property estimated at $200,000.
From the Chicago Herald we take the following particulars of Mr. Miller's death. The Herald says: H. B. Miller better known as "Buffalo" Miller died at 1:30 this morning at the Grand Pacific Hotel. On Thursday night he was sickened with Bright's disease of the kidneys. He had suffered from this malady for three years past, but believed he had recovered from its influences. On being confined to his bed he called for Dr. D. G. Rush, for many years a friend of the family, who made his home at the Clifton House. Dr. Rush, on seeing the patient, advised him at once of the serious nature of the malady, and summoned to his aid Drs. McArthur, Steger, Summers and Miller. An operation was performed yesterday afternoon, but it did not relieve the patient. He sank rapidly but did not seem to realize that death was near. He chatted pleasantly with his wife, daughter and the physicians, and dispelled their fears by his cheerfulness. He fell into an apparent slumber at about midnight. He awoke shortly afterward, made pleasant remarks, and shortly after 1 o'clock sank quietly into a slumber which ended in death.
From Will H. Miller, son of the deceased, we learn that an operation had been performed which greatly relieved his father shortly before his death. Having been relieved of his pain he sank into a peaceful sleep. Just a few minutes before he died he exclaimed," Oh, I see the sunshine!" These were his last words.
The remains of the late Henry B. Miller arrived here from Chicago on Tuesday evening at 5:45 over the Lake Shore Rwy. They were accompanied by the family and one or two friends. The casket was taken in charge by Undertaker Price, the pall bearers at the train being J.M. Studebaker, C.A. Kimball, Wm. Mack, Thos. J. Hill, Irving A. Sibley and J.B. Stoll. The body was conveyed at once to the family residence on East Jefferson Street.
The funeral of the late Hon. H. B. Miller took place on Wednesday afternoon from the family residence on East Jefferson Street, Rev. G.E. Farr of the Baptist Church officiating. The attendance was very large, many being present from outside the city. Several beautiful floral pieces were received from sympathetic friends. The pall bearers for the occasion were J.M. Studebaker, I. A. Sibley, Wm. Mack, Thomas J. Hill, C. A. Kimball and J. B. Stoll. The remains were followed to the cemetery by a long procession of carriages. Among those present from outside the city were George K. Duckworth, Cincinnati; George J. Gibson, Peoria, Ill; Dr and Mrs. D.G. Rush and Mrs. J.J. Montague, Chicago.
Among the Chicago Herald's reminiscences appears the following:
Though Mr. Miller was of German descent he was a most intolerant American. No matter when, where or how, he was ready to praise American institutions, the American government, and the American people, their habits, customs and manners, above all others. He made a trip abroad this year with his family. He visited the Paris Exposition and went through Germany. After his return, he delighted in telling how he made the natives' eyes bulge out with some of his stories about America. At one little town up the Danube, where tourists seldom stop, "Buffalo" Miller was a curiosity. His appearance at first excited comment. He could but he would not speak the native tongue, and as an interpreter conveyed to the people his yarns about making a wagon every minute at South Bend and numberless other stories equally incredible to those innocent burghers, they followed him about the streets as a natural curiosity. All of which he hugely enjoyed.
As was Mr. Miller an intolerant American, so was he a rock-rooted Republican. At a time when David Davis was a factor in Illinois politics there was, in the spring of 1874 a convention being held in the opera house in Springfield. A movement headed by General Lieb, was afoot to take advantage of the crusade movement and swing the German Republicans into line for Democracy. Speeches were made and General Lieb was about to gain the day. The essence of the talk had been the "new alliance", "the marriage" and "the wedding"—meaning the combine that was to be effected between the Germans and Democracy. At a crisis in affairs "Buffalo" Miller arose and said: "I forbid the bans". He followed this up with a strong speech and held his German friends fast to the Republican Party.
No one is found to say a hard word against "Buffalo" Miller. He was ever liberal with his money and socially was one of the happiest spirits that ever shed geniality about the Grand Pacific Hotel where he always stopped when in the city.
Published in the South Bend and Chicago Papers
Draft copy given to William Miller (brother of deceased)
------------------------------------
Death's Shining Mark
Hon. H. B. Miller
1818-1890
One week ago Tuesday afternoon Hon. H. B. Miller, a picture of health and strength, accompanied by Mrs. Miller, went to Chicago for a visit with the hope that rest and recreation would be agreeable to Mrs. Miller who was not feeling at all well.
A few days afterward word came here to his family that Mr. Miller himself was sick with his old disease, inflammation of the bladder, and in response to the telegram his daughter Clara went to Chicago to assist for the caring for her father. This morning his relatives and friends in this city were inexpressible shocked and grieved to learn that about 1:30 o'clock Tuesday morning Mr. Miller had died of inflammation of the bowels.
Not the least idea of such a thing had entered any person's mind among all his friends and acquaintances'. The fact even that he had inflammation of the bowels was not known, and none were prepared to hear of death's summons being answered with so prominent a sacrifice. Mrs. Reed and Wm H. Miller left for Chicago on Tuesday morning to be with their father, not knowing when they left here that that father was dead.
The late Mr. Miller was a man whose life had been, indeed, an eventful one. He had been identified with the Legislature of various states; had served in various public offices; had been identified with several great public improvements; had been for many years a journalist; was for some time the president of the National Association of Distillers; and in all these varied experiences and positions he left the impress of his individuality and energy.
Hon. H. B. Miller was born in Lebanon County, Pennsylvania, April 16, 1818, hence at the time of his death was 71 years, 7 months and 3 days. Very far beyond the province of this article is a description of his eventful life. We can hope to give but the barest review of Mr. Miller's life work, the scant data at hand furnishing material sufficient for a lengthy biography. The facts we have learned regarding his past life were secured from his brother, ex-Mayor William Miller, cashier at the South Bend National Bank.
Henry B. Miller at the age of 13 years was apprenticed in a printing office at Lebanon, Pa., and there learned the trade that particularly fitted him for his protracted and able journalistic career. At the age of 18 years he came West and for a short time worked at Goshen, under the late Hon. Charles L. Murray in the printing office belonging to that gentleman. From there he went to Cincinnati about the year 1836 and soon returned to Niles where he conducted a Whig newspaper called the Niles Republican and to which he united the successor to Niles first newspaper, The Niles Intelligencer, which he purchased in 1841.
D.B. Cook, present editor of the Niles Mirror and a warm friend of Mr. Miller to the very last, being about to start a Democratic paper in 1842 (bringing an office to Niles), Mr. Miller, just previous to issuing the first number, made a proposition to unite the two offices and convert the Republican from a Whig to a Democratic paper, which Mr. Cook accepted, and ran it for twenty years. Mr. Miller in the meantime had gone to Kalamazoo and there started another paper. At one time he controlled several Southern Michigan papers at a period when the publication of the state laws and such other legal advertising made the proprietorship of these newspapers quite desirable and profitable thing. From Kalamazoo Mr. Miller went to Buffalo where he established a German newspaper called the Telegraph and continued publishing the same for about twenty years, the paper starting as a Whig paper. Having secured a contract on the Eric Canal which earned for him a snug profit of $180,00, Mr. Miller gave outright to his old apprentice, a man named Bender, his Buffalo newspaper, that gentleman continuing it's publication. The Telegraph is still a leading German newspaper in Western New York and Wm. Schermann, one of the Times compositors, worked at that paper in 1866. It is related of Mr. Miller that to enable him to get the profitable contract on the Erie Canal it was necessary for him to borrow $300. Right handsomely did he make that $300 multiply under his energetic and shrewd business management of contracts which it enabled him to begin. While in Buffalo he served two years in the New York legislature. While there he was also appointed light house inspector on the Great Lakes under President Taylor's administration. He then came west and settled in Chicago. While in Cook County he served one term as county treasurer and also a term in the Illinois legislature, his joining forces there with A.C. Hesing making him a most prominent factor in Republican politics. It was while living in Chicago that he earned the sobriquet of "Buffalo" Miller, from his having a large buffalo head over the main entrance to his brewery and also from his frequent references to his old town of Buffalo as being "the only place on earth." He went to Springfield and Riverton, Ill., establishing at Riverton a large distillery that ultimately placed him in the position of the president of the National Distillers Association. From his connection with this association he enjoyed a large salary, we believe, up to the time of his death.
About four years ago Mr. Miller and family removed to this city ( South Bend ) and located their very pleasant residence property on East Jefferson Street, near Sunnyside. Here in ease and retirement he proposed to end his days. Much against his own wishes he was brought out in the last city campaign as a candidate on the Republican ticket for mayor. Up to that time, as he remarked in his speech at the nominating convention, he had never known what defeat was. He was defeated in that campaign however, but no one took the defeat more philosophically than did Mr. Miller himself.
This obituary notice would be incomplete if it failed to refer to his connection with the great telegraph contracts that took him through various parts of the United States and Canada. Mr. Miller was a man of wide information and had traveled extensively. He had visited every part of the United States and had observed as an experienced traveler. When he had seen his own country in all its phases and in every section from Gulf to lakes, from ocean to ocean, he went to Europe and there enjoyed a long tour of pleasure and observation. Nothing of note could escape his attention and the details of his trip came most interestingly from his letters or from his own lips.
He was a man of commanding physique, was the picture of health; enjoyed life with the utmost zest; was an intelligent, companionable gentleman; an earnest, faithful friend. He was known all over the country; reckoned his friendships among the nation's leading men; as a citizen was liberal and progressive; as a husband and parent possessed his family's sincerest love. The needy never suffered when their needs were made known to H. B. Miller. His life was an illustration of the possibilities that are in store for the American boy with the pluck and energy to contest in the broad fields of life' for the prize of success. He did nothing half-heartedly and in that may be largely found the reason for his succeeding so well.
Mr. Miller had gone beyond the allotted three score and ten, but life seemed to offer him a score of years to overflow its measure. In his death South Bend loses a good citizen, his circle of friends its leading spirit, his family a loving husband and father. Age seemed to have no second childhood for him, but only appeared to be the season for a well earned and greatly enjoyed rest.
He leaves a wife, a son, Wm. H. Miller, and two daughters, Mrs. Kate Reed and Miss Clara Miller. Besides his brother, ex-Mayor Miller, he has another brother, Joseph Miller of the firm of Miller and Lontz, of this city and a brother John, who lives on the "reserve" about ten miles north of this place in Michigan. His surviving sisters are Mrs. Malinda Kingery of Buchanan, Mich., and Mrs. Gerberich, now in this city visiting with ex-Mayor Miller. He leaves a property estimated at $200,000.
From the Chicago Herald we take the following particulars of Mr. Miller's death. The Herald says: H. B. Miller better known as "Buffalo" Miller died at 1:30 this morning at the Grand Pacific Hotel. On Thursday night he was sickened with Bright's disease of the kidneys. He had suffered from this malady for three years past, but believed he had recovered from its influences. On being confined to his bed he called for Dr. D. G. Rush, for many years a friend of the family, who made his home at the Clifton House. Dr. Rush, on seeing the patient, advised him at once of the serious nature of the malady, and summoned to his aid Drs. McArthur, Steger, Summers and Miller. An operation was performed yesterday afternoon, but it did not relieve the patient. He sank rapidly but did not seem to realize that death was near. He chatted pleasantly with his wife, daughter and the physicians, and dispelled their fears by his cheerfulness. He fell into an apparent slumber at about midnight. He awoke shortly afterward, made pleasant remarks, and shortly after 1 o'clock sank quietly into a slumber which ended in death.
From Will H. Miller, son of the deceased, we learn that an operation had been performed which greatly relieved his father shortly before his death. Having been relieved of his pain he sank into a peaceful sleep. Just a few minutes before he died he exclaimed," Oh, I see the sunshine!" These were his last words.
The remains of the late Henry B. Miller arrived here from Chicago on Tuesday evening at 5:45 over the Lake Shore Rwy. They were accompanied by the family and one or two friends. The casket was taken in charge by Undertaker Price, the pall bearers at the train being J.M. Studebaker, C.A. Kimball, Wm. Mack, Thos. J. Hill, Irving A. Sibley and J.B. Stoll. The body was conveyed at once to the family residence on East Jefferson Street.
The funeral of the late Hon. H. B. Miller took place on Wednesday afternoon from the family residence on East Jefferson Street, Rev. G.E. Farr of the Baptist Church officiating. The attendance was very large, many being present from outside the city. Several beautiful floral pieces were received from sympathetic friends. The pall bearers for the occasion were J.M. Studebaker, I. A. Sibley, Wm. Mack, Thomas J. Hill, C. A. Kimball and J. B. Stoll. The remains were followed to the cemetery by a long procession of carriages. Among those present from outside the city were George K. Duckworth, Cincinnati; George J. Gibson, Peoria, Ill; Dr and Mrs. D.G. Rush and Mrs. J.J. Montague, Chicago.
Among the Chicago Herald's reminiscences appears the following:
Though Mr. Miller was of German descent he was a most intolerant American. No matter when, where or how, he was ready to praise American institutions, the American government, and the American people, their habits, customs and manners, above all others. He made a trip abroad this year with his family. He visited the Paris Exposition and went through Germany. After his return, he delighted in telling how he made the natives' eyes bulge out with some of his stories about America. At one little town up the Danube, where tourists seldom stop, "Buffalo" Miller was a curiosity. His appearance at first excited comment. He could but he would not speak the native tongue, and as an interpreter conveyed to the people his yarns about making a wagon every minute at South Bend and numberless other stories equally incredible to those innocent burghers, they followed him about the streets as a natural curiosity. All of which he hugely enjoyed.
As was Mr. Miller an intolerant American, so was he a rock-rooted Republican. At a time when David Davis was a factor in Illinois politics there was, in the spring of 1874 a convention being held in the opera house in Springfield. A movement headed by General Lieb, was afoot to take advantage of the crusade movement and swing the German Republicans into line for Democracy. Speeches were made and General Lieb was about to gain the day. The essence of the talk had been the "new alliance", "the marriage" and "the wedding"—meaning the combine that was to be effected between the Germans and Democracy. At a crisis in affairs "Buffalo" Miller arose and said: "I forbid the bans". He followed this up with a strong speech and held his German friends fast to the Republican Party.
No one is found to say a hard word against "Buffalo" Miller. He was ever liberal with his money and socially was one of the happiest spirits that ever shed geniality about the Grand Pacific Hotel where he always stopped when in the city.
Obituary of Henry B. Miller 1818-1890
Published in the South Bend and Chicago Papers
Draft copy given to William Miller (brother of deceased)
------------------------------------
Death's Shining Mark
Hon. H. B. Miller
1818-1890
One week ago Tuesday afternoon Hon. H. B. Miller, a picture of health and strength, accompanied by Mrs. Miller, went to Chicago for a visit with the hope that rest and recreation would be agreeable to Mrs. Miller who was not feeling at all well.
A few days afterward word came here to his family that Mr. Miller himself was sick with his old disease, inflammation of the bladder, and in response to the telegram his daughter Clara went to Chicago to assist for the caring for her father. This morning his relatives and friends in this city were inexpressible shocked and grieved to learn that about 1:30 o'clock Tuesday morning Mr. Miller had died of inflammation of the bowels.
Not the least idea of such a thing had entered any person's mind among all his friends and acquaintances'. The fact even that he had inflammation of the bowels was not known, and none were prepared to hear of death's summons being answered with so prominent a sacrifice. Mrs. Reed and Wm H. Miller left for Chicago on Tuesday morning to be with their father, not knowing when they left here that that father was dead.
The late Mr. Miller was a man whose life had been, indeed, an eventful one. He had been identified with the Legislature of various states; had served in various public offices; had been identified with several great public improvements; had been for many years a journalist; was for some time the president of the National Association of Distillers; and in all these varied experiences and positions he left the impress of his individuality and energy.
Hon. H. B. Miller was born in Lebanon County, Pennsylvania, April 16, 1818, hence at the time of his death was 71 years, 7 months and 3 days. Very far beyond the province of this article is a description of his eventful life. We can hope to give but the barest review of Mr. Miller's life work, the scant data at hand furnishing material sufficient for a lengthy biography. The facts we have learned regarding his past life were secured from his brother, ex-Mayor William Miller, cashier at the South Bend National Bank.
Henry B. Miller at the age of 13 years was apprenticed in a printing office at Lebanon, Pa., and there learned the trade that particularly fitted him for his protracted and able journalistic career. At the age of 18 years he came West and for a short time worked at Goshen, under the late Hon. Charles L. Murray in the printing office belonging to that gentleman. From there he went to Cincinnati about the year 1836 and soon returned to Niles where he conducted a Whig newspaper called the Niles Republican and to which he united the successor to Niles first newspaper, The Niles Intelligencer, which he purchased in 1841.
D.B. Cook, present editor of the Niles Mirror and a warm friend of Mr. Miller to the very last, being about to start a Democratic paper in 1842 (bringing an office to Niles), Mr. Miller, just previous to issuing the first number, made a proposition to unite the two offices and convert the Republican from a Whig to a Democratic paper, which Mr. Cook accepted, and ran it for twenty years. Mr. Miller in the meantime had gone to Kalamazoo and there started another paper. At one time he controlled several Southern Michigan papers at a period when the publication of the state laws and such other legal advertising made the proprietorship of these newspapers quite desirable and profitable thing. From Kalamazoo Mr. Miller went to Buffalo where he established a German newspaper called the Telegraph and continued publishing the same for about twenty years, the paper starting as a Whig paper. Having secured a contract on the Eric Canal which earned for him a snug profit of $180,00, Mr. Miller gave outright to his old apprentice, a man named Bender, his Buffalo newspaper, that gentleman continuing it's publication. The Telegraph is still a leading German newspaper in Western New York and Wm. Schermann, one of the Times compositors, worked at that paper in 1866. It is related of Mr. Miller that to enable him to get the profitable contract on the Erie Canal it was necessary for him to borrow $300. Right handsomely did he make that $300 multiply under his energetic and shrewd business management of contracts which it enabled him to begin. While in Buffalo he served two years in the New York legislature. While there he was also appointed light house inspector on the Great Lakes under President Taylor's administration. He then came west and settled in Chicago. While in Cook County he served one term as county treasurer and also a term in the Illinois legislature, his joining forces there with A.C. Hesing making him a most prominent factor in Republican politics. It was while living in Chicago that he earned the sobriquet of "Buffalo" Miller, from his having a large buffalo head over the main entrance to his brewery and also from his frequent references to his old town of Buffalo as being "the only place on earth." He went to Springfield and Riverton, Ill., establishing at Riverton a large distillery that ultimately placed him in the position of the president of the National Distillers Association. From his connection with this association he enjoyed a large salary, we believe, up to the time of his death.
About four years ago Mr. Miller and family removed to this city ( South Bend ) and located their very pleasant residence property on East Jefferson Street, near Sunnyside. Here in ease and retirement he proposed to end his days. Much against his own wishes he was brought out in the last city campaign as a candidate on the Republican ticket for mayor. Up to that time, as he remarked in his speech at the nominating convention, he had never known what defeat was. He was defeated in that campaign however, but no one took the defeat more philosophically than did Mr. Miller himself.
This obituary notice would be incomplete if it failed to refer to his connection with the great telegraph contracts that took him through various parts of the United States and Canada. Mr. Miller was a man of wide information and had traveled extensively. He had visited every part of the United States and had observed as an experienced traveler. When he had seen his own country in all its phases and in every section from Gulf to lakes, from ocean to ocean, he went to Europe and there enjoyed a long tour of pleasure and observation. Nothing of note could escape his attention and the details of his trip came most interestingly from his letters or from his own lips.
He was a man of commanding physique, was the picture of health; enjoyed life with the utmost zest; was an intelligent, companionable gentleman; an earnest, faithful friend. He was known all over the country; reckoned his friendships among the nation's leading men; as a citizen was liberal and progressive; as a husband and parent possessed his family's sincerest love. The needy never suffered when their needs were made known to H. B. Miller. His life was an illustration of the possibilities that are in store for the American boy with the pluck and energy to contest in the broad fields of life' for the prize of success. He did nothing half-heartedly and in that may be largely found the reason for his succeeding so well.
Mr. Miller had gone beyond the allotted three score and ten, but life seemed to offer him a score of years to overflow its measure. In his death South Bend loses a good citizen, his circle of friends its leading spirit, his family a loving husband and father. Age seemed to have no second childhood for him, but only appeared to be the season for a well earned and greatly enjoyed rest.
He leaves a wife, a son, Wm. H. Miller, and two daughters, Mrs. Kate Reed and Miss Clara Miller. Besides his brother, ex-Mayor Miller, he has another brother, Joseph Miller of the firm of Miller and Lontz, of this city and a brother John, who lives on the "reserve" about ten miles north of this place in Michigan. His surviving sisters are Mrs. Malinda Kingery of Buchanan, Mich., and Mrs. Gerberich, now in this city visiting with ex-Mayor Miller. He leaves a property estimated at $200,000.
From the Chicago Herald we take the following particulars of Mr. Miller's death. The Herald says: H. B. Miller better known as "Buffalo" Miller died at 1:30 this morning at the Grand Pacific Hotel. On Thursday night he was sickened with Bright's disease of the kidneys. He had suffered from this malady for three years past, but believed he had recovered from its influences. On being confined to his bed he called for Dr. D. G. Rush, for many years a friend of the family, who made his home at the Clifton House. Dr. Rush, on seeing the patient, advised him at once of the serious nature of the malady, and summoned to his aid Drs. McArthur, Steger, Summers and Miller. An operation was performed yesterday afternoon, but it did not relieve the patient. He sank rapidly but did not seem to realize that death was near. He chatted pleasantly with his wife, daughter and the physicians, and dispelled their fears by his cheerfulness. He fell into an apparent slumber at about midnight. He awoke shortly afterward, made pleasant remarks, and shortly after 1 o'clock sank quietly into a slumber which ended in death.
From Will H. Miller, son of the deceased, we learn that an operation had been performed which greatly relieved his father shortly before his death. Having been relieved of his pain he sank into a peaceful sleep. Just a few minutes before he died he exclaimed," Oh, I see the sunshine!" These were his last words.
The remains of the late Henry B. Miller arrived here from Chicago on Tuesday evening at 5:45 over the Lake Shore Rwy. They were accompanied by the family and one or two friends. The casket was taken in charge by Undertaker Price, the pall bearers at the train being J.M. Studebaker, C.A. Kimball, Wm. Mack, Thos. J. Hill, Irving A. Sibley and J.B. Stoll. The body was conveyed at once to the family residence on East Jefferson Street.
The funeral of the late Hon. H. B. Miller took place on Wednesday afternoon from the family residence on East Jefferson Street, Rev. G.E. Farr of the Baptist Church officiating. The attendance was very large, many being present from outside the city. Several beautiful floral pieces were received from sympathetic friends. The pall bearers for the occasion were J.M. Studebaker, I. A. Sibley, Wm. Mack, Thomas J. Hill, C. A. Kimball and J. B. Stoll. The remains were followed to the cemetery by a long procession of carriages. Among those present from outside the city were George K. Duckworth, Cincinnati; George J. Gibson, Peoria, Ill; Dr and Mrs. D.G. Rush and Mrs. J.J. Montague, Chicago.
Among the Chicago Herald's reminiscences appears the following:
Though Mr. Miller was of German descent he was a most intolerant American. No matter when, where or how, he was ready to praise American institutions, the American government, and the American people, their habits, customs and manners, above all others. He made a trip abroad this year with his family. He visited the Paris Exposition and went through Germany. After his return, he delighted in telling how he made the natives' eyes bulge out with some of his stories about America. At one little town up the Danube, where tourists seldom stop, "Buffalo" Miller was a curiosity. His appearance at first excited comment. He could but he would not speak the native tongue, and as an interpreter conveyed to the people his yarns about making a wagon every minute at South Bend and numberless other stories equally incredible to those innocent burghers, they followed him about the streets as a natural curiosity. All of which he hugely enjoyed.
As was Mr. Miller an intolerant American, so was he a rock-rooted Republican. At a time when David Davis was a factor in Illinois politics there was, in the spring of 1874 a convention being held in the opera house in Springfield. A movement headed by General Lieb, was afoot to take advantage of the crusade movement and swing the German Republicans into line for Democracy. Speeches were made and General Lieb was about to gain the day. The essence of the talk had been the "new alliance", "the marriage" and "the wedding"—meaning the combine that was to be effected between the Germans and Democracy. At a crisis in affairs "Buffalo" Miller arose and said: "I forbid the bans". He followed this up with a strong speech and held his German friends fast to the Republican Party.
No one is found to say a hard word against "Buffalo" Miller. He was ever liberal with his money and socially was one of the happiest spirits that ever shed geniality about the Grand Pacific Hotel where he always stopped when in the city.
Published in the South Bend and Chicago Papers
Draft copy given to William Miller (brother of deceased)
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Death's Shining Mark
Hon. H. B. Miller
1818-1890
One week ago Tuesday afternoon Hon. H. B. Miller, a picture of health and strength, accompanied by Mrs. Miller, went to Chicago for a visit with the hope that rest and recreation would be agreeable to Mrs. Miller who was not feeling at all well.
A few days afterward word came here to his family that Mr. Miller himself was sick with his old disease, inflammation of the bladder, and in response to the telegram his daughter Clara went to Chicago to assist for the caring for her father. This morning his relatives and friends in this city were inexpressible shocked and grieved to learn that about 1:30 o'clock Tuesday morning Mr. Miller had died of inflammation of the bowels.
Not the least idea of such a thing had entered any person's mind among all his friends and acquaintances'. The fact even that he had inflammation of the bowels was not known, and none were prepared to hear of death's summons being answered with so prominent a sacrifice. Mrs. Reed and Wm H. Miller left for Chicago on Tuesday morning to be with their father, not knowing when they left here that that father was dead.
The late Mr. Miller was a man whose life had been, indeed, an eventful one. He had been identified with the Legislature of various states; had served in various public offices; had been identified with several great public improvements; had been for many years a journalist; was for some time the president of the National Association of Distillers; and in all these varied experiences and positions he left the impress of his individuality and energy.
Hon. H. B. Miller was born in Lebanon County, Pennsylvania, April 16, 1818, hence at the time of his death was 71 years, 7 months and 3 days. Very far beyond the province of this article is a description of his eventful life. We can hope to give but the barest review of Mr. Miller's life work, the scant data at hand furnishing material sufficient for a lengthy biography. The facts we have learned regarding his past life were secured from his brother, ex-Mayor William Miller, cashier at the South Bend National Bank.
Henry B. Miller at the age of 13 years was apprenticed in a printing office at Lebanon, Pa., and there learned the trade that particularly fitted him for his protracted and able journalistic career. At the age of 18 years he came West and for a short time worked at Goshen, under the late Hon. Charles L. Murray in the printing office belonging to that gentleman. From there he went to Cincinnati about the year 1836 and soon returned to Niles where he conducted a Whig newspaper called the Niles Republican and to which he united the successor to Niles first newspaper, The Niles Intelligencer, which he purchased in 1841.
D.B. Cook, present editor of the Niles Mirror and a warm friend of Mr. Miller to the very last, being about to start a Democratic paper in 1842 (bringing an office to Niles), Mr. Miller, just previous to issuing the first number, made a proposition to unite the two offices and convert the Republican from a Whig to a Democratic paper, which Mr. Cook accepted, and ran it for twenty years. Mr. Miller in the meantime had gone to Kalamazoo and there started another paper. At one time he controlled several Southern Michigan papers at a period when the publication of the state laws and such other legal advertising made the proprietorship of these newspapers quite desirable and profitable thing. From Kalamazoo Mr. Miller went to Buffalo where he established a German newspaper called the Telegraph and continued publishing the same for about twenty years, the paper starting as a Whig paper. Having secured a contract on the Eric Canal which earned for him a snug profit of $180,00, Mr. Miller gave outright to his old apprentice, a man named Bender, his Buffalo newspaper, that gentleman continuing it's publication. The Telegraph is still a leading German newspaper in Western New York and Wm. Schermann, one of the Times compositors, worked at that paper in 1866. It is related of Mr. Miller that to enable him to get the profitable contract on the Erie Canal it was necessary for him to borrow $300. Right handsomely did he make that $300 multiply under his energetic and shrewd business management of contracts which it enabled him to begin. While in Buffalo he served two years in the New York legislature. While there he was also appointed light house inspector on the Great Lakes under President Taylor's administration. He then came west and settled in Chicago. While in Cook County he served one term as county treasurer and also a term in the Illinois legislature, his joining forces there with A.C. Hesing making him a most prominent factor in Republican politics. It was while living in Chicago that he earned the sobriquet of "Buffalo" Miller, from his having a large buffalo head over the main entrance to his brewery and also from his frequent references to his old town of Buffalo as being "the only place on earth." He went to Springfield and Riverton, Ill., establishing at Riverton a large distillery that ultimately placed him in the position of the president of the National Distillers Association. From his connection with this association he enjoyed a large salary, we believe, up to the time of his death.
About four years ago Mr. Miller and family removed to this city ( South Bend ) and located their very pleasant residence property on East Jefferson Street, near Sunnyside. Here in ease and retirement he proposed to end his days. Much against his own wishes he was brought out in the last city campaign as a candidate on the Republican ticket for mayor. Up to that time, as he remarked in his speech at the nominating convention, he had never known what defeat was. He was defeated in that campaign however, but no one took the defeat more philosophically than did Mr. Miller himself.
This obituary notice would be incomplete if it failed to refer to his connection with the great telegraph contracts that took him through various parts of the United States and Canada. Mr. Miller was a man of wide information and had traveled extensively. He had visited every part of the United States and had observed as an experienced traveler. When he had seen his own country in all its phases and in every section from Gulf to lakes, from ocean to ocean, he went to Europe and there enjoyed a long tour of pleasure and observation. Nothing of note could escape his attention and the details of his trip came most interestingly from his letters or from his own lips.
He was a man of commanding physique, was the picture of health; enjoyed life with the utmost zest; was an intelligent, companionable gentleman; an earnest, faithful friend. He was known all over the country; reckoned his friendships among the nation's leading men; as a citizen was liberal and progressive; as a husband and parent possessed his family's sincerest love. The needy never suffered when their needs were made known to H. B. Miller. His life was an illustration of the possibilities that are in store for the American boy with the pluck and energy to contest in the broad fields of life' for the prize of success. He did nothing half-heartedly and in that may be largely found the reason for his succeeding so well.
Mr. Miller had gone beyond the allotted three score and ten, but life seemed to offer him a score of years to overflow its measure. In his death South Bend loses a good citizen, his circle of friends its leading spirit, his family a loving husband and father. Age seemed to have no second childhood for him, but only appeared to be the season for a well earned and greatly enjoyed rest.
He leaves a wife, a son, Wm. H. Miller, and two daughters, Mrs. Kate Reed and Miss Clara Miller. Besides his brother, ex-Mayor Miller, he has another brother, Joseph Miller of the firm of Miller and Lontz, of this city and a brother John, who lives on the "reserve" about ten miles north of this place in Michigan. His surviving sisters are Mrs. Malinda Kingery of Buchanan, Mich., and Mrs. Gerberich, now in this city visiting with ex-Mayor Miller. He leaves a property estimated at $200,000.
From the Chicago Herald we take the following particulars of Mr. Miller's death. The Herald says: H. B. Miller better known as "Buffalo" Miller died at 1:30 this morning at the Grand Pacific Hotel. On Thursday night he was sickened with Bright's disease of the kidneys. He had suffered from this malady for three years past, but believed he had recovered from its influences. On being confined to his bed he called for Dr. D. G. Rush, for many years a friend of the family, who made his home at the Clifton House. Dr. Rush, on seeing the patient, advised him at once of the serious nature of the malady, and summoned to his aid Drs. McArthur, Steger, Summers and Miller. An operation was performed yesterday afternoon, but it did not relieve the patient. He sank rapidly but did not seem to realize that death was near. He chatted pleasantly with his wife, daughter and the physicians, and dispelled their fears by his cheerfulness. He fell into an apparent slumber at about midnight. He awoke shortly afterward, made pleasant remarks, and shortly after 1 o'clock sank quietly into a slumber which ended in death.
From Will H. Miller, son of the deceased, we learn that an operation had been performed which greatly relieved his father shortly before his death. Having been relieved of his pain he sank into a peaceful sleep. Just a few minutes before he died he exclaimed," Oh, I see the sunshine!" These were his last words.
The remains of the late Henry B. Miller arrived here from Chicago on Tuesday evening at 5:45 over the Lake Shore Rwy. They were accompanied by the family and one or two friends. The casket was taken in charge by Undertaker Price, the pall bearers at the train being J.M. Studebaker, C.A. Kimball, Wm. Mack, Thos. J. Hill, Irving A. Sibley and J.B. Stoll. The body was conveyed at once to the family residence on East Jefferson Street.
The funeral of the late Hon. H. B. Miller took place on Wednesday afternoon from the family residence on East Jefferson Street, Rev. G.E. Farr of the Baptist Church officiating. The attendance was very large, many being present from outside the city. Several beautiful floral pieces were received from sympathetic friends. The pall bearers for the occasion were J.M. Studebaker, I. A. Sibley, Wm. Mack, Thomas J. Hill, C. A. Kimball and J. B. Stoll. The remains were followed to the cemetery by a long procession of carriages. Among those present from outside the city were George K. Duckworth, Cincinnati; George J. Gibson, Peoria, Ill; Dr and Mrs. D.G. Rush and Mrs. J.J. Montague, Chicago.
Among the Chicago Herald's reminiscences appears the following:
Though Mr. Miller was of German descent he was a most intolerant American. No matter when, where or how, he was ready to praise American institutions, the American government, and the American people, their habits, customs and manners, above all others. He made a trip abroad this year with his family. He visited the Paris Exposition and went through Germany. After his return, he delighted in telling how he made the natives' eyes bulge out with some of his stories about America. At one little town up the Danube, where tourists seldom stop, "Buffalo" Miller was a curiosity. His appearance at first excited comment. He could but he would not speak the native tongue, and as an interpreter conveyed to the people his yarns about making a wagon every minute at South Bend and numberless other stories equally incredible to those innocent burghers, they followed him about the streets as a natural curiosity. All of which he hugely enjoyed.
As was Mr. Miller an intolerant American, so was he a rock-rooted Republican. At a time when David Davis was a factor in Illinois politics there was, in the spring of 1874 a convention being held in the opera house in Springfield. A movement headed by General Lieb, was afoot to take advantage of the crusade movement and swing the German Republicans into line for Democracy. Speeches were made and General Lieb was about to gain the day. The essence of the talk had been the "new alliance", "the marriage" and "the wedding"—meaning the combine that was to be effected between the Germans and Democracy. At a crisis in affairs "Buffalo" Miller arose and said: "I forbid the bans". He followed this up with a strong speech and held his German friends fast to the Republican Party.
No one is found to say a hard word against "Buffalo" Miller. He was ever liberal with his money and socially was one of the happiest spirits that ever shed geniality about the Grand Pacific Hotel where he always stopped when in the city.
Family Members
Siblings
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