Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1901-05-17

meeting on March 9TH, last, but was
able to record the proceedings of the
meeting on the following day. He
rennquished the care OF the town
books TOR few days near the close of
the fiscal year, Feb. l5 1901, when
the town auditors met TO examine and
ADJUST the accounts of the town Off
GERS, to his son, Adm f. Miller, who
was deputy clerk, in order to relieve
ms anxiety during the trying ordeal
of the annual settlement of the tinan-
cial affairs of the town, but resumed
work again when the ordeal was past.
He was not confident at that time that
he would be reelected town clerk at
the annual March meeting, but was
treasured by his many friends that he
would be reelected. because the citi-
zens of DummerstOn were still conf
dent in his ability to perform the du-
ties of his office with the help of his
competent assistant.
Mr.. Miller was noted not only for
his faithfulness and accuracy in keep
ing the town records, but also for his
excellent penmanship. Every word
and every letter was made legible, so
long as he had strength to use the pen.
His penmanship at the close of his Off
cial career as town clerk, has the
same standard of excellence as it did
al the beginning of his clerkship in
March, 1919. 1t is worthy of note
that, should a stranger make an eX-
amiatiun OF the town records at the
present time. it would be difficult for
him to distinguish the place where Mr.
Miller ended his work of recording
and whore it was resumed by his SON
Without exception. the town has
been exceedingly fortunate in its
choice of clerks from the time of its
organization in l112 down to the pres
ent day. The town has had only six
different town clerks during a period
o. 1870 years. Enoch Cook was set
tiers clerk in la and town clerk in
lI12. Captain Jonathan Knight
served years. Judge Jason Duncan
30, his SON. Joseph Duncan 81, Judge
Samuel Porter 4, ana Joseph Miller 90
years. The services of Judge Dun
can, Joseph Duncan and Joseph Miller
covered a period of us years
Mr.. Miller was the successor of 10
seph Duncan and their united service
was SO years, beginning in 1912 and
ending in 1901. Probably no other
town in the United States can show
a lllOl = ltlldl hdbIt ltCOIu.
In addition to his service as clerk,
Mr.. Miller was town treasurer SO
years, represented the town in the leg
islature of 1862 and 1868, was town
superintendent in 1857 and justice of
the peace many years He held other
offices of trust for the town. and his
long experience in town business made
him a valuable officer and legal coun-
sellor in matters pertaining to town
affairs. His advice and help We're
often sought in the making of wills
and the settlement of estates.
He was born March 8, 1917 and al
ways lived on the farm that he owned
which has been in the Miller name
more than 100 years, and was the
birthplace of his father, Joseph Miller,
in 1880. He was educated IN the com
mon schools of the town and was a
school teacher for a few terms. In
1889, he was chosen leader of the choir
in the Congregational church and,
with the exception of four years, he
held that position continuously until
the close of 1893, period of 60 years.
He was skilled musician as well as
singer and often taught singing
schools.
Mr. Miller was twice married. first
in 1S41 to Eliza A. Reed, who died
Nov. 26, 1913; second, in 1874 to So
phia Arms, the mother of his three
sons now living, ]. Arms Miller, chair
man of the board of selectmen and
father of eight sons and two daugh-
tiers; Adm F. Miller, the well-known
deputy sheriff and tax collector for
| many years; and Ansel |. Miller. a
prominent physician in Brattleboro,
who has two children. Mrs. Sophia
Arms Miller died July 26, 1888.
The funeral services of Mr.. Miller
were held in the church where he was
| chOrister so many years. Rev. Mr..
| Miles of BrattleborO officiated and the
| service of song was rendered by the
| Dummerston male quartet. "A good
! man who tried to do right" was
Mr., Miles Just and fitting summing
| up OF Mr.. Miller's personality as it had
| impressed him during frequent visits
| since he became the minister at Brat
| tleboro.
A large number of persons and
| relatives were present and included
| several prominent citizens of Brattle-
| boro, among whom was Judge William
| S. Newton, who has been town clerk
| of that place for more than half the
years of a long life. One of the most
! impressive scenes of the funeral was
at the close of the services when six
| brothers, all young men and grand
sons of the departed man, lifted the
| casket and bore the body slowly
away to the sleeping place of his fore
| fathers.