JACOB MILLER. Heaven is not reached by a single bound; We build the ladder by which we rise, From the lowly earth to the vaulted skies And we mount to its summit round by round. Never were words more true than is the poetic declaration just quoted; true in regard to the heavenly life, and equally applicable to our struggles for earthly success. Holland possessed a wonderful knowledge of human nature, as is evinced in every line of his writing, which never fails to find an answering chord in the heart of the reader. The really successful business men are those who have mounted "round by round" to the summit of their lives, pausing not to moan over the hardships by the way, but ever climbing higher "act to the living present, heart within and God o'erhead." Of such material is the gentleman whose name opens this biography. His father, Charles Miller was born and reared in Germany, receiving an education in the schools of his native land. When nineteen years of age, Charles Miller bade farewell to the Fatherland, and turned his face to the shores of America. After his arrival he first located in Pennsylvania, and was married in Lancaster county to Elizabeth Getlmocher, a lady of German descent, and they reared a family of sixteen children. He was a weaver by trade, following that vocation until 1827, when he came to Washington county and opened a tavern. He was a prosperous man, and in politics a member of the Democratic party. He died in 1846. Jacob Miller was born November 22, 1819, near Baltimore, Md., and passed his youth at home, receiving a country-school education. In 1835 he came to Washington county and commenced the tanners' trade with N. F. Brobst, remaining four and one-half years. On July 1, 1840, he was united in marriage with Sarah, daughter of Simon Wolf, and to this union were born eleven children, two of whom are deceased. Mr. Miller began life on a salary of $5.00 per week, and at the time of his marriage had $40.00 with which to meet his new responsibilities. In 1844 he opened a tin and stove store on Main street, being also engaged in roofing. He retired from business in 1887, having accumulated an independent competence. He was one of the incorporators of the Gas Company, and also of the Natural Gas Company of Washington, and has ever been interested in all public enterprises. In politics he is an Independent Democrat, and in religious faith a member of the M. E. Church.

Text taken from page 1138 of: Beers, J. H. and Co., Commemorative Biographical Record of Washington County, Pennsylvania (Chicago: J. H. Beers & Co., 1893). Transcribed March 1997 by Neil and Marilyn Morton of Oswego, IL as part of the Beers Project. Published March 1997 on the Washington County, PA USGenWeb pages at http://www.chartiers.com/.

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