Henry Miller    

HENRY MILLER.  Henry Miller was born in Waddenwarden, Grand Duchy of Oldenburg, Germany, November 30, 1848. He came to the United States when a boy of 19 years, arriving in New York soon after the close of the Civil War.

For a time he worked in a cigar factory and brick yard, but in 1870, joined a surveying party on the Port Royal and Augusta Railroad. Five years later he came to Texas, settling in Fort Worth, and in February, 1881, moved to Weatherford. From that time until his death, June 9, 1931, his efforts were discerningly directed towards the town’s upbuilding and development. He was active in its business, civic and political affairs, and served seven years as school trustee, five years as alderman, and six years as mayor. It was during his administration that a number of important improvements were made in Weatherford, including the erection of the Third Ward school building and the laying of the present sewer system.

For more than forty years, Mr. Miller was, an important factor in the life of Weatherford and Parker County. It was through his efforts that the beautiful Pythian Home, east of Weatherford, was built. In April, 1929, the boys’ dormitory was dedicated in his honor, and only a short while before his death, he turned the first shovel of dirt for the building erected on the same site, for aged Pythians.

Mr. Miller’s connection with Pythianism in Texas covered a period of fifty years. He joined Lone Star Lodge No. 4 in October, 1881, and served with honor and distinction in its affairs. After attaining the honors of Past Chancellor, he was a representative to the Grand Lodge in 1887. Two years later at the Houston convention, he was elected Grand Keeper of Records and Seal. In such esteem was he held by his fellow workers that his election each year was a mere formality. As a reporter of the proceedings of the Lodge and a compiler of historical information and statistics relating to the Order’s growth, Mr. Miller was unsurpassed.

He was also prominent in the Supreme Lodge and could have been elevated, to the position of Supreme Keeper of Records and Seal, but he declined the honor, preferring to continue his labor with his Texas friends. He was possessed of a remarkable mind and could call the names of nearly all members of the Order of the State.

Mr. Miller was an active member of the Methodist Church and bible classes held by the lodges throughout Texas were named in his honor.

In Fort Worth, June 6, 1877, Mr. Miller married Miss Elizabeth E. Hollis, daughter of Dr. and Mrs. T. F. Hollis of that city, and three days prior to his death, they observed their fifty-fourth wedding anniversary. They were the parents of five children, three of whom are living. E. T. Miller, the oldest, is a professor of economics in the University of Texas; Hollis H. Miller, Shreveport, La., and Mrs. Perry Young, New Orleans, La. Charles Frederick Miller died in 1889 and Mrs. Irene Strickland in 1930.

Mrs. Miller was born at Liberty, Liberty County, Texas, February 16, 1851. Her grandfather was a veteran of the War of 1812, the Texas Revolution, and the Mexican War, and her father was a Confederate soldier.

She was a life-long member of the Methodist Church, a member of the Pythian Sisters and of the Daughters of the Confederacy. She was a loyal Texan and had an avid interest in the history and welfare of her state. She was actively associated with the religious and civic affairs of Weatherford. She died December 26, 1932.

Mr. and Mrs. Miller were among the most esteemed citizens of their community, and their passing was a loss to the State at large and was universally regretted. Their memory is still cherished in the heart of every Texas Pythian, and “Uncle Henry”, as he was familiarly known, rightly deserved the title which was bestowed upon him, “The Grand Old Man of Texas Pythianism.”

History of Parker County and the Double Log Cabin: being a brief symposium of the early history of Parker County, together with short biographical sketches of early settlers and their trials, Weatherford, Tex.: Herald Pub. Co., 1937, pages 156-157. View the image of this page online.  Search Hundreds of 1880s-1920s Texas History Books for biographies and historical information on your ancestors.  View the book page images on line and print them out for your genealogy file!  Try the family history collection for free for 14 days!