This column is part of a feature series which focuses on a different Centre County family each week. Five new columns will be released each month unless some technical difficulty enters the picture.
This week's name is Miller. The scope of this column will be to identify all of the persons carrying that name in the 1890 U.S. Census, using the Centre County postal directory which was formed from that census before the larger set of 1890 U.S. Census records was destroyed by fire. (Sadly, the postal directory does not typically provide the ages of females, but it's the best record we've got. Also, names below have been arranged alphabetically within each township or borough, not necessarily in the sequential order in which they appeared in the original census enumeration.)
As a further service this page also identifies (1)book-length works devoted to the Miller surname found in the Pennsylvania Room of the Centre County Library in Bellefone and (2)references to the Miller name found in two standard Centre County histories published between 1880 and 1900. Three books on the Miller name are in the library in Bellefonte. Historical Notes: The Pennsylvania and Ohio Barr-Brisbin-Brown-Clifford-Horner-McTeer-Miller-Moorhead-Osborn-Thompson Families by Dwight P. Miller (1973) has a chapter on the origins of the Miller name with some connections to an Ohio branch. However, a clear Centre County connection can be found in two Miller books in the vertical file: Michael Miller (1989) has record on the title character's grandson John (1799-1873) and Eve Bartholomew. The Miller Family (1845 thru 1995)compiled by Marilyn Miller Lucas focuses on the extended family of David C. (1817-1872) and Mary A. Tops. If you know of other books on Millers with a Centre County connection, e-mail me, and it will be so noted when this column is archived.
There are 104 different name entries for Miller in John Blair Linn's History of Centre and Clinton Counties (1883). In addition, there are 164 references to individuals carrying the Miller name in Beers' Commemorative Biographical Record of Central Pennsylvania (1898) with the following persons (with an identifiable Centre County connection) having separate profiles: ABRAM V. Miller (b. 1838, s/o Robert V. and Elizabeth Lytle); B. F. Miller (b. 1844, s/o Elias and Cecelia Marsh); ELIAS Miller(b. 1814; s/o David and Barbara Reichner); HORACE G. Miller (b. 1859, s/o A. B. and Margaret Bender); ISAAC Miller (b. 1839, s/o Robert V. and Elizabeth Lytle); MICHAEL Miller (b. 1838, s/o John and Eve Bartholomew); WILLIAM Miller (b. 1831; s/o Charles and Ann Bird); and, WILLIAM H. Miller (s/o Henry and Catherine Meiss).
And now, your ancestors' Miller neighbors in 1890:
In BELLEFONTE BOROUGH:
Annie A.--21 N. Allegheny. Charles, 37, cigarmaker--33 Phoenix Sarah A. John 15 Elenore Samuel A. 5 Mary A. Charles, 67, laborer Susanna Elizabeth--386 East Bishop Richard 45 Franklin, 40, laborer--17 North Penn Hannah W. Catharine Rosetta Harry 8 Isaac, 50, Carpenter--300 East High A. Harry 21 Herbert 17 Morris 15 John C., 38, plasterer--14 South Thomas Sarah C. Agnes Nellie Perry 5 John C., 40, coal dealer--25 North Spring Mary P. Charles P. 7 mos. Mary R. Jonathan E., 53, miller--13 Reynolds Harriet Henry H. 23 George H. 16 Margaret M.--19 East Bishop Oliver C., 27, tinsmith--27 West Logan Kittie Katie Ida Orin, 34, plasterer--353 East Bishop Mary E. Harry 12 Arthur 10 Francis Robert V., 36, contractor--210 East Lamb Fannie Frank 7 Samuel B., 52, contractor--213 East Linn Amanda Thomas, 75, laborer--12 E. Logan Rosanna Lincoln 28 Calvin 27 John 25 Mary James 10
In BENNER TOWNSHIP:
George W., 43, farmer--Bellefonte Elizabeth E. Robert A. 16 George C. 11 George P. 25 Mary Levi, 19, laborer--Bellefonte Mertie W.--BellefonteIn BOGGS TOWNSHIP: Jacob, 56, farmer--Roland Mary C. Roland C. Phoebe J. John H., 32--Milesburg Mary A. Walter L., 10 Harry B. Jane Jennie Lewis C., 44, farmer--Milesburg Hannah Harry O. 15 Lula B. Fannie G. Lydia--Milesburg
In BURNSIDE TOWNSHIP: Thomas C., 22, farmer--Pine Glenn
In CENTRE HALL BOROUGH:
Jerry, 43, barber Margaret John H. 8 Herbert R. 5 Marian E. Harry 6 mos
In COLLEGE TOWNSHIP:
Alfred L., 21, minister--State College John D., 57--State College Eliza J. John A. 22 Sarah E. Maggie--Lemont
In CURTIN TOWNSHIP:
Thomas, 49, laborer--Roland Sarah Reuben 13 John, 30, farmer--Romola Adeline S. Franklin 11 Harry 9 Fowler 8 Ella Carrie Wilson 2 Abraham 3 mos John, 65, retired--Roland William C., 45, farmer--Romola Mary E. Ira T. 22 James C. 17 Alma C. Ella M. Emma T. Alice M. Hanna D. Harry E. 2
In FERGUSON TOWNSHIP:
Caroline H.--Penna Furnace Charles D., 59, farmer--Rock Springs Elizabeth H. David L., 49, farmer--Pinegrove Mills Annie James A. B. 19 Marion V. Tillie B. David W., 46, farmer--Pinegrove Mills Mary A. Samuel C. John G. George F., 37, farmer--Pinegrove Mills Alice S. John W. 22 Hannah George P., 35, stone mason--Pinegrove Mills Mamie C. John H. 9 Lena C. Maggie Isaac C. 4 Clara A. John H., 45, farmer--Rock Springs Sarah E. Cassie M. Gertie R. Sadie F. J. Sumner 10 G. Blair 5 Maud E. Cyrus 43 John P., 37, machinist--Penna Furnace Lizzie H. Elsie A. Charles A. 9 Bruce M. 6 John W. 4 Verna B. Martin L., 46, laborer--Penna Furnace Emma L. Arthur 21 Newton B. 18 Calvin C. 14 Myra A.
In GREGG TOWNSHIP:
Charles, 68, tailor--Spring Mills Anna Susan D. Harry V. 32 Robert W., 26, laborer--Spring Mills Annie
In HAINES TOWNSHIP:
Howard G., 37, laborer--Aaronsburg Elmeda B. Lottie M. Charles E. 5 Mary--Woodward Sarah--Woodward Charles W. 30 Newton 24 Thomas C. 19 Eugene H. 9 Merlin 6
In HALFMOON TOWNSHIP:
Charles, 26, laborer--Buffalo Run Hannah Mary Edith--Loveville Maria--Stormstown Sarah G. Ellis L. 23
In HARRIS TOWNSHIP:
Clara--Boalsburg Mary J. F. A. John W. 35 Harry 15--Boalsburg John W., 35, farmer--Boalsburg Sallie Harriet Sarah Baby Mary P.--Boalsburg William H., 76, retired--Boalsburg Margaret Nora Harry 15
In HOWARD TOWNSHIP:
Catherine--Mt. Eagle Harry 19 George T.,27, laborer--Howard Harvey, 40, laborer--Howard Livonia Emma Ellie Joseph 5 Wilbur 2 Evart 9 mos Samuel, 77, laborer--Howard
In MARION TOWNSHIP:
William H., 37, merchant--Walker
In MILES TOWNSHIP:
Abigail--Rebersburg Jennie Annie--Madisonburg Benjamin F., 46, laborer--Madisonburg Hannah O. Kline A. 12 William D. 8 Christine--Wolfs Store Edith William S. 34 Edwin, 23, farmer--Madisonburg Elias, 75, retired--Madisonburg Amanda Asnetta Elmer E., 27, carpenter--Rebersburg Jennie A. Frederick 6 Stella A. George R., 34, laborer--Madisonburg Rebecca J. Annie Harvey, 47, farmer--Madisonburg Lydia Harry E. 17 John F. 16 Charles 12 Lloyd C. 9 Clarence L. 5 Henry H., 43--Rebersburg Ellen James S., 57, mason--Rebersburg Sarah S. George A. John E., 25--Centre Mills Olive K. Charles 8 mos John E., 22--Madisonburg Annie Carrie B. Joseph, 68--Rebersburg Susan A. Luther A., 16--Rebersburg Michael, 52, retired--Rebersburg Sarah Bertha J.
In MILESBURG BOROUGH:
Edward B., 27, laborer William, 41, puddler Mary E. Lillie M. Ida B. Esther A. William 53, retired Sarah L. Edith May
In MILLHEIM BOROUGH:
Albert A., 41, hotel keeper Mary A. Olive C. Eva S. Allison, 37, lumberman Maggie Charles F. 17 Flora M. Annie R. James F. 16 Charles W., 35, barber Jennie R. Laura George W. 7 Florence Olive T. Edwin M., 23, laborer John A., 42 Elizabeth John A., 53, merchant Mary A. Adelia G. John H., 48, moulder Elizabeth A. Sanford D. Betie P. Mamie E. William H., 38 Emma C. George T. 9 Robert R. 6
In PATTON TOWNSHIP:
Alfred, 40, laborer--Benore Priscilla Mary Anna Bessie James, 37, foreman--Benore Anna Minnie Harry 6 Mary Carrie Thomas, 50, laborer--Benore Susan Kate
In PENN TOWNSHIP:
Adolph, 60, toll keeper--Coburn Catharine Claudie--Coburn William, 15--Coburn
In PHILIPSBURG BOROUGH:
George, 23, merchant--Pine Street Mary H.--Front Street Sadie--Front Street William, 33, tailor--5th Street Mary E. Albert L. 9 Charles H. 7 Samuel Z. 3 William E. 1
In POTTER TOWNSHIP:
David, 25, laborer--Tusseyville Ellen N. Elmer M. 3 John F., 41, laborer--Potters Mills Mary E. Michael N., 30, farmer--Centre Hill Anna E. Samuel, 54, laborer--Tusseyville Elizabeth David 12
In RUSH TOWNSHIP:
Charles, 28, laborer--Philipsburg Mary J. Willie 4 Elizabeth D. David, 46, miner--Osceola Mary A. John 15 William 14 June Cecelia G. Henry 2 James, 53, laborer--Philipsburg Lawrence L., 30, laborer Mary H. Edna M. Henry A. 1 Rebecca--Philipsburg Mark J. 15 Thomas 12 Levina Wyman, 23, laborer--Philipsburg Alice Lillian
In SNOW SHOE TOWNSHIP:
Aaron, 33, laborer--Clarence Chestie 28 William 9 Clara John D., 44, laborer--Snow Shoe Ellen N. Mary A. Edward W. 11 Nathan A. 10 Lottie--Snow Shoe Michael, 28, miner--Snow Shoe Statia Minnie--Peal
In SPRING TOWNSHIP:
Abraham V., 52, farmer--Pleasant Gap Nancy J. George 19 Augustus, 21, laborer--Bellefonte Augustus, 24, chainmaker--Bellefonte Nancy J. Jacob A. 4 Bertha--Pleasant Gap Christopher, 34, laborer--Bellefonte Angeline Walter A. 10 Laura M. Lucy J. Conrad, 29, stonemason--Bellefonte Mary H. Wilfred 2 Ellsworth, 26, laborer--Bellefonte Sadie M. Mary A. Carrie L. Alice M. George, 45, laborer--Bellefonte Nancy David 22 Sallie Claude 12 Effie George 7 William 4 Harry F., 15--Bellefonte Mary M. Henry, 45, engineer--Bellefonte Mary C. George W. 19 Bertha M. Lena William H. 5 mos Henry 18--Bellefonte Herman K., 51, farmer--Pleasant Gap Mary E, Sarah E. Anna R. Maggie E. Carrie W. Isaac, 51--Bellefonte Catherine Isaac P. 23 Mordecai 16 Mary A. James H., 42, laborer--Bellefonte Annie M. James 17 Charles 15 John K. 13 Robert V. 10 Caleb E. Maud M. Rebecca Russell M. 6 mos Jennie E.--Pleasant Gap Jesse O.--Bellefonte John W., 43, plasterer--Bellefonte Rachael E. Benjamin F. 11 Deo L. 8 Joseph, 31, laborer--Pleasant Gap Eliza E. Joseph B., 50, tax collector--Bellefonte Sarah Franklin A. 14 Ellen E. Maggie B. Lewis, 22, laborer--Bellefonte Mollie Lewis 1 Naomi E.--Bellefonte Reuben P., 25 laborer--Bellefonte Robert, 49, laborer--Bellefonte Laura C. John C. 14 Carrie M. Rollie, 49, laborer--Axemann Sidney, 51, carpenter--Pleasant Gap Rachel A. Martha J. Edna C. William H., 46, farmer--Axemann Mary A. Catherine A. Margaret M. William T., 35, laborer--Bellefonte Mary E. John H. 15 William H. 13 Caroline Lena M. James C. 1
In TAYLOR TOWNSHIP:
Asbury, 40, laborer--Olivia Alice Mary E. John 16 Alfred 12 George 10 Charles 6 Gertrude Daniel, 36, laborer--Olivia Annie William 11 Mamie Guy 2 mos Ellen--Olivia Robert 42 William 23 Minnie George, 38, laborer--Olivia Emma Harry 17 Charles E. 15 Sarah R. Wesley E. 5 Clara E. George 25, farmer--Sandy Ridge Laura Paul 2 Matilda--Port Matilda William, 59, retired--Sandy Ridge Susan Harry 21 Bertha
In UNION TOWNSHIP:
Cora J.--Fleming Newton A. 12 Albert V. 10 Lewis H., 34, lumberman--Fleming Mary V. George J. 6 John L. 4
In WALKER TOWNSHIP:
Annie--Zion Franklin, 39, laborer--Hublersburg Elmira F. John, 62, farmer--Hublersburg Sarah R. Minnie R. Charles S. 21 Ethel C. John D. 33 Sarah F. John A., 13--Hublersburg Pearce C., 16--Hublersburg