Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1922-06-27

Journal readers Will at once rec
ognize the features of Charles F.
Miller. this morning, who was the
acting postmaster during the interim
between the resignation of Charles
+. Richardson and the appointment
Of Edgar J. Brown as postmaster.
Mr.. Miller has been a resident of
Waterville for over 40 years, having
come here at the age of Is to make
his home with his uncle, Warren
Farr. who was then manager Of the
Elmwood hotel. With the exception
of three years, which he spent in
Massachusetts, Waterville has since
been his place of residence.
Mr.. Miller was born at the .Ameri-
can House in Burlington, Vt. August
81, 1866, his fathers death having oc-
CURED about Is days previous under
somewhat tragic circumstances, he
having been given an overdose of
medicine to induce sleep, by an
ignorant nurse. The family main
tanned a private home outside of the
hotel, but Mrs. Miller was called to
the hotel because Of her husbands
till after her sons birth. She then
moved to Walpole. n. H. with her
two sons and in 1872 went to Boston
where they lived at the old MARI
borough hotel with Mrs. Aliller'S
brother, Jerome L. F'arr, who was the
! proprietor. They remained there till
the death of Mr.. Millers brother and
then he and his mother went to Nal
den and lived there till Mrs. Mller's
death in 1881.
Turning to his next near relative,
the orphan boy came to Waterville
to make his home. He had met with
a misfortune at the age of eight,
which caused him to be lame for life
He and another Young boy were
playing together at snoWballing on
the roof of the Marlborough hotel
when he started to descend a ladder.
He received push from his play
mate which threw him to the ground.
The socket of the right hip bone
|, was crushed, causing a permanent
injury.
When a youth Mr. Miller was en-
ployed in the Waterville Steam
| Laundry. that was then carried on
by Z. c. Herring and later he went
into the cigar business with Peter
Herhst. He remained with Mr..
Herbst for three years as clerk
and opened and managed a branch
store for him in Skowhegan until he
sold out. Mr.. Miller then went into
business for himself on Temple street
on the site of the new Purinton
block. This location was afterwards
sold to II. D. Eaton and Mr.. Miller
moved to his present location, buying
out the restaurant of Mrs. Clara
Johnson, who was a sister Of T. Fields
Murray, the colored restaurateur, who
was at the head of the railroad res
taurant for n number of years and
who was we'll known to the travel
ling public. Mr.. Miller closed out the
business of Mrs. Johnson and opened
his store. He manufactured cigars
until - years ago. The late Governor
William T. Haines was Mr.. Miller's
landlord aud during the gubernatorial
race of the former, Mr.. Miller put
out brand of cigars known as the
w. T. H., which had big sale at
that time. He also manufactured
many private brands. He maintained
a billiard room and a bowling alley
at his place of business for a time.
but later gave up the bowling alley.
On April IS. 1920, Mr. Miller was
appointed acting postmaster and
served until January 10. 1922 He
is a charter member of Waterville
lodge of Elks and was chairman of
the first house committee serving for
four years under w. T. Haines, Dr.
J. f Hill, ]. Howard WEIGH and
Charles NJ. Richardson. He was also
a member of the old Canibas club and
treasurer of the old Bicycle club of
this city when it wound up its affairs
IA years ago.
In reminiscing. Mr. Miller mention
ed the late DR.. Fitzgerald of Dexter
who was at the Elmwood hotel when
he lived there. The doctor will be
remembered by many for he in
variably drove a team of calico
horses tandem, with a colored foot
man in livery at the back. and wore
| a diamond shirt stud as big as his
thumb nail. DR.. Fitzgerald installed
the first electric light in Waterville
at the Elmwood hotel. which were
arc lights generated from private
plant. People came to Waterville
from all around to see the lights and
they We're never falling source Of
delight to the youth of the town.
While Charles F. Miller. the
business man. may be known to
many; Charles F. Miller. the man,
is known to but few. He has a way
of doing good deeds quietly. Several
boys, who are ever grateful for his
friendship and kindly counsel and
assistance have gone out in the
world and made good. They never
forget their benefactor and frequent
ly write him of their successes with
words of appreciation for the start
he gave them. They find in him a
sympathetic listener and an under
standing friend who stimulates their
ambition to make worthy men. AS
he goes through life. Charles F. Mil
Ter is leaving an indelible influence
for good in the hearts of those
young men with whom he comes in
contact.
r~I,o folIor,;,,o n, int