Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1889-03-19
AROMANCE RECALLED
By the Golden Wedding Anniversary
ofMr. and Mrs. Jacob Miller.
HOTLY PURSUED BY ARIvALLOVER
They Travelled Three Days Over the Mount
aims by Stage Coach,
TO BE MARRIED In EARLY PITTSBURG

There was a merry gathering at the resi-
dence of Mr.. and Mrs. Jacob Miller, No. 81
Bluff street, last evening, to celebrate the
fftieth anniversary of their wedding day.
Commencing life in moderate circumstances
Jacob Miller and his beloved wife, by in
dustry and frugality, prospered, and few
men to-day are held in higher esteem, hon.
estly earned, than this aged couple. Mr..
Miller came to this country from Germany
and first located in Baltimore. There he
met and won Mary Tim. But, while
plighted, the nuptials were not entered into
until the young man had pushed "West"
to better his condition. He located in Pitts
burg, and after establishing himself as a
saddler on Liberty street, near Smithfeld,
he went to Baltimore and brought home his
bride.
AN oLD-TIME ROMANCE.
Some romance entered into their life at this
point. 1tappears that owing to the unreliable
ity of the mails, correspondence failed to reach
its destination. In consequence, Mary Tim
was surrounded with other admirers, one of
whom pressed his suit ardently She, howev-
er, let him understand that she belonged to an
other. But the suitor argued that her former
lover had certainly deserted her, or else she
would have heard from him or seen him before.
How near he came to win his point cannot be
stated, but the sudden appearance of Jacob
Miller, who had also become anxious by not
hearing from his betrothed, settled the mat
ter, and arrangements were at once made
for the departure to Pittsburg. When news
of Mlller's return reached the other suitor he
became wrathy, and declared that such should
never be. In fact matters became so warm that
it was decided best for all to depart quietly at
time not known to the rejected one. The start
was made in the regular stage coach, but its de-
parture had scarcely taken place when the rival
learned of it, and, securing conveyancet pur-
sued the couple An accident to his vehicle
prevented his overtaking them, and they ar
rived in Pittsburg after three days journey.
LAND WAS CHEAP THEN.
In 1S47 Mr.. Miller purchased some property
on Boyd's HILL on which he erected a block of
houses the year following. At the same time
he was offered a lot of ground and good
house on Smithfield street, opposite the
present Mayors Office, for $500. This was less
sum than he paid for the property on Boyds
Hill, but the latter was far more desirable.
The hill then was succession of green fields
and orchards and a very desirable spot for
rural homes. He built the first house on
Boyd's Hill. In lS49 his wife's sister and
brother-in-law, Mr.. John 8. Hammer and family
also came to Pittsburg from Baltimore, and
later on John w. Tim and family, and John F.
Heinz and family, all relatives of the bride.
There were present at the wedding ami
versary last evening the following persons who
witnessed the marriage ceremony so years ago:
John w. Tim, John d. Hammer, Mrs. Sophia
Heinz and Mrs. Sophia Yeaner.
Mr.. and Mrs. Miller have three daughters
and one son living One of the daughters is
married to Colonel Sheafer, of the firm of
Wattles & Sheafer, and another to William g.
Armor, photographer. The younger daughter,
Miss Annie, and the son Henry, are at home
with the respected couple.
Although SO advanced in years they are still
in fair health and enjoy the gatherings of their
children and grandchildren. An exceedingly
pleasant time was spent last evening and all
of the rich blessings they already enjoy.