The Bridgeport times and evening farmer., 1919-04-03

small IaTIl III AlluOIeLOWny ne grew to youth there, imbibing lessons of thrift from his rugged and practical father, stephen Miller. His mother was of the fine old New England type of mothers and by her example, un- consciously taught her children the value of cooperation. The Midas like touch of the Miller boys was backed by characteristics entirely ab- sent in the fable stories.
 Darius, being the oldest, was en- trusted with the greater responstbili- ties on the little farm. He finished his schooling in the little district school and worked industriously on the farm until his brothers completed their studies. Then came what was really the starting point in the lives of the Millers. Their father called them together and read them lesson on their opportunities afle1d The narrow confines of the small farm were too restricted for the future which the father visioned for his sons He gave them practical advice on thrift and honesty and placing $7OO in the hands of each of the four sons sent them forth with his blessings and good wishes.
 It Grew to $50, ,OOO, 900. The fortune of $2,80O represented d at their start in life is dwarfed by the figures that represent the com bined fortunes of the MilIers today. It is asserted as a fact that their 1 wealth now is $3O.OO0,00O.
 The Miller boys left the farm The long hours of labor were left be- hind. On the Miller farm 1t was customary to arise at daylight and in the summer the boys worked three hours on the farm before they had breakfast. They fed and milked the stock and attended to other duties. After breakfast they worlei ] afteld and attended to whatever re- quired attention.
 They looked cityward. Darius and Charles came to New Britain and pooled their money and established themselves in the drygoods and no- tion business. Nathan, the second eId- est went to New York and became interested in Wall street. He invest ed in railroad securities and later in steamboat line. Thomas A. Edison found a packer in him for some of his great inventions.
 Frank Miller located in Bridge port. His attention was given to lumber and he owned large forests and mills in the South He became 8 fnancier and was president of the City Bank of Bridgeport.
 Charles Miller did not assoc ciate long in the business partnership with his brother but pulled away to work out his own career. He established the dry goods store of Miller 6. Peck In Waterbury and se.eral years age he conveyed his interest in the bus iyn +a r1a TIe | invested in Waterbury industrial concerns and his wealth grew apace with them. He was a large req l estate owner in the city.
 | Came In 1S4S.
 It was in 194S that the Miller boys l left the farm. When Darius Miller went to New Britain he found there ! a struggling community. He located i his store on Main street and the site was bought at SAP a front foot. Today | the land is valued at $1,00O a from foot. The little store was popular because of the honest merchandist and fair prices. MT. Miller prosperec but his business was only a means tc greater wealth. He amassed his for tune by his keen business sense. ! MT. Miller lived economically an6 did not waste his money with frivil- ous pleasure. When opportunity pre- | scented he grasped chances to increase his wealth. At one lime Corneliu! Erwin, one of the founders of the | Russell & Erwin Manufacturing Go. found himself temporarily embarrass ed and he disposed of stock valued a $11,O0O for $5,OOO. Believing in the future of the company MT. Miller in vested further and at one time hi | hnIHiyprc ho hn | ings of the founder.
 Fortune SwclEcd.
 MT. Miller advanced the money tc a representative of P. &. F. Corbin SC that he could go to Europe in the in. terest of expanding the factory l market.
 The stockholders were retained anC MT Niller's fortune grew with them He invested in other New Britain in l dustries as they came along. New l Britain's welfare was his concern anG made for his prosperity.
 In 1860 MT. Miller was one of tht group of men who associated and ob tatned a charter from the state for tho | establishment of 8 National bank. Tht | bank was incorporated with a capita 1 of S100,000 and MT. Miller was elect ed to the directorate. He declined al l election to the board for one term | but otherwise his Inenb bership on tht l board was continuous for nearly 6t | years. The banks capital today i: s310,000 and it's surplus is s365,600 At times he was instrumental il promoting the organization of new companies. The National Wire Mat tress company was one of the firm 1 he fostered.
 l Mir Miller {r,uacfal ;r, stocks. His inclination was to raIl roads. He was q conservative buye
 and he watched the market closely The brotherly cooperation was evl
 denced in many of these transac
 tions. The Miller boys together own
 ed a successful southern railway
 Darius Miller numbered among hi
 friends and advisors the father of j
 PIerpont Morgan.
 The years rolled on and the for