Myron Burton "Bert" Miller 1866-1921

MILLER, SNYDER

Posted By: Merllene Andre Bendixen (email)
Date: 4/22/2011 at 22:00:47

Bert Miller Passes Away
M. B. Miller Dies at His Home Monday Night – Funeral Services at Home Tomorrow
One of the oldest and best loved citizens of our city left our midst with the passing away of M. B. Miller at his home on South Ninth street, Monday night at 11:55.

Mr. Miller was past 54 years of age, having been born in the state of New York in the year 1866. He moved here with his father in 1882.

Below is a history of his life as told by Mr. Miller a few years prior to his death:

In another column of this impression of The Democrat we have the pleasure of producing an excellent likeness of our honored townsman, M. B. Miller, a man who has grown gray in the railroad service and who can point to long years of faithfulness along this particular branch of industry.

Mr. Miller is a native of New York State, but at a tender age his parents removed to Waukesha, Wis., where they resided until our subject was about ten years old. The elder Miller, being of a nomadic disposition, at this time heard the call from the Panhandle state and migrated to Sherman, Texas, where they maintained a residence of about one year. From there the family started north again and located for a couple of years at Humboldt, Kan. The next move was to Kansas City, but the dense smoke and intense hills of the busy Missouri city were too trying for the young Miller and they did not remain there, but returned to the little old town in Wisconsin, which they called home until the spring of 1882. At that time Mr. Miller’s father secured a good position on the B.C.R. & N., which was building through Estherville, and after being here a short time, sent for his two sons, Charles and the subject of this sketch, who at that time had attained the very respectable age of sixteen summers. The two fortune seekers landed in Emmetsburg, the nearest point on the railroad in those days, and after a good night’s rest started for the scene of their future activities on foot. After a day of hard travel they entered the settlement of High Lake, a little station on the Milwaukee road, and found shelter with the family of the shelter agent, L. M. Culver, who by the way, is the father or Mrs. F. H. Rhodes of this city. Greatly refreshed by the hospitality extended under this roof, the young fortune hunters again took the trail for Estherville and arrived here in good form, but ravenously hungry. The cravings of the inner man were satisfied at a little store known in those days as the John Barker building – where the Oehrlein market now stands – by a delicate lunch of cheese, crackers and pigs’ feet.

The young men secured employment on grade construction work for a few months, and tiring of that, our subject broke prairie land on the Clump farm, west of town, until the weather became inclement. From that time he did odd jobs about the then struggling village until 1884, at the age of eighteen, when he entered the railroad service as a brakeman. John Fox was then superintendent of this division and Mr. Miller broke for Frank VanVelzer. On May 27, 1887, he was promoted to freight conductor, and April 7, 1896, was in charge of a passenger train, in which capacity he is still serving the Rock Island.

Before the thought escapes us, we wish to relate that on coming into this place Mr. Miller followed the old stage road, which at that time ran through the lots where he later built his home on South Ninth street.

On June 12, 1894, Mr. Miller was happily wedded to Miss Fidella Snyder, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. J. M. Snyder, one of the city’s first families. To this union were born two sons, Myron S., Des Moines, and LeRoy. Of Mr. Miller’s immediate family, besides the parents, there were four brothers, one of whom, Fred, passed away from this sphere on May 8, 1911, and sleeps in the rest eternal by the side of his father and mother at the West Side cemetery. The Millers ran a hotel over what is now the Nau Bros.’ store for many years, and we have heard many pleasing accounts of the de luxe viands that the famous hostelry dispensed. But the good old mother hands that prepared those dainty dishes are not now numbered with things earthly, she having passed to her reward in 1898. The father died in 1894. The other two brothers, Charles O. and Earl F., are both located at Lexington, Ky. As we go to press today we learn that both are expected to be in attendance at the funeral.

Mr. Miller enjoyed the distinction and pleasure of never missing payday in his railroad work up until the time he was compelled to give up his run on account of ill health, about the middle of December last, at which time he journeyed to Excelsior Springs, Hot Springs and Waukesha in quest of medical aid, and at first it was thought he had benefited by the treatments in the various sanitariums, but from the time of his return home the latter part of March of this year he suffered a rapid decline, until at 11:55 p.m., May 9, 1921, which marks the time of departure from this world for that from whose bourne no traveler ever returns.

In addition to his railroad duties of passenger conductor, he was connected with the Iowa Savings Bank of this city as vice president and director.

He was affiliated with the Order of Railroad Conductors, of which he was chief conductor at the time of his death; also a member of the various degrees of the Masonic lodge of Estherville and the Shrine of Sioux Falls.

Tentative funeral arrangements have been made for 2:00 p.m. tomorrow, May 12, at the home on South Ninth street, Rev. J. W. LaGrone officiating, while services at the cemetery will be in charge of the Masonic lodge. Interment will be in the Oak Hill cemetery.

Out-of-town people who are expected to be in attendance are Earl F. Miller, Lexington, Ky.; Charles O. Miller, Lexington, Ky.; C. L. Buxton, Des Moines; Miss Louise G. Bunz, Des Moines. (Estherville Democrat, Estherville, IA, May 11, 1921)

M. B. Miller Called to Last Rest
Died at His Home Last Monday Evening
Was Ill For Some Time
Was a Well Known Railroad Man – Pioneer of Estherville
The death of M. B. Miller, well known railroad man and pioneer of Estherville occurred at his home last Monday night as the midnight hour was approaching. While not unexpected, his death is a terrible blow to this entire community. The life of Bert Miller and the growth of this city have been so entwined, each a part of the other, that his passing on will be keenly felt in all circles. His was a life of service and in his unassuming way he did much for the betterment of the entire community. His many friends had watched his gallant fight against the disease that was steadily dragging him down, always hoping that he would be successful against the great odds, but it was not to be and he quietly slipped away Monday evening to enjoy the reward of a life well spent in the service of his fellow men.

The life of Mr. Miller is as thrilling as the page of any novel. He was a self-made man in the true sense of the word, fighting his way upward against all odds until at the time of his death he stood a man among men, respected honored and trusted by all men. From a lowly position he climbed to the heights by his industry, and integrity, always holding out a helping hand to those about him and endeavoring to help them along the path he was traveling. He walked in to Estherville. That was before the days of the railroad. He made the trip on foot from Emmetsburg, then the border of civilization. He liked Estherville and made it his home and in that decision this city gained a citizen that aided in every way to place our city on her high plane today.

He and a brother, Charles, made the trip to Emmetsburg in 1882, following the overland trail to that city from Wisconsin. Not satisfied there he came on to Estherville. When the rail road finally came on to this city Mr. Miller entered upon construction work and had his part in bringing the steam cars into this city. He then entered into the service of the B.C.R. & N. and later when that road was taken over by the Rock Island continued to serve the new management as brakeman and conductor. He was one of the oldest conductors in the service and one of the most popular. His kindly nature and genial disposition smoothed the trip of many a mother and babe. Always obliging and courteous, he was a favorite with the traveling public.

Myron Burton Miller was born in New York state at Pierpoint on October 10, 1866. Being 54 years and 7 months of age at the time of his death. His early childhood was spent in that state, he later moved to Wisconsin where he resided until young manhood. Then came his journey to this city, the trials and joys of the early pioneer, the sufferings and privations, the pleasure and pastime. He knew them all and they stamped his character with the sturdy purpose of the pioneer which followed him through life. He was married June 12, 1894 to Fidella A. Snyder and to this union two sons were born, Myron S. who has a position as private secretary to the superintendent of the Iowa division on the Rock Island, with headquarters in Des Moines and LeRoy a student in the local schools. Two brothers Charles O. and Earl F. of Lexington, Kentucky are left with the widow and sons to mourn their great loss.

Mr. Miller has been in poor health for more than two years. On December 10, 1920 he was forced to give up his railroad work and since that time has traveled extensively hoping to find relief. He visited Excelsior and Hot Springs and spent a time recently at Waukesha, Wisconsin but the relief was only temporary and he finally returned home. He gradually failed until his passing away last Monday.

Mr. Miller was a member of the O.R.C. and the Masonic orders. He was vice-president and an active director of the Iowa Savings bank in this city, and was instrumental in helping build that institution from a small beginning to a great financial institution it is today. He was active in many other interests of the city and could always be relied upon to do his fair share in any enterprise with which he was associated.

Funeral services will be held from the home tomorrow afternoon at two o’clock in charge of Rev. LaGrone of the Methodist Episcopal church. The Masonic lodge will have charge of the services at the cemetery. Burial will be made in Oak Hill Cemetery. The bereaved family have the deepest sympathy of the entire community in their hours of sorrow. (Vindicator and Republican, Estherville, IA, May 11, 1921)

M. Bert Miller Passes Away
An Old Time Resident of City Coming Here With Parents When a Boy
Was a Pioneer Railroad Man
He Reared a Family in This City and is an Officer in One of the Local Banks
M. B. Miller, an old time resident of this city, passed away at this home on the corner of Ninth and Maple streets on Monday night between the hours of 11 and 12. Mr. Miller has been troubled for some time with Bright’s disease and has been failing rapidly of late. For the past six months it has been considered but a – of time when death should over take him.

Mr. Miller came to this city some forty years ago with his parents who were the owners and operators of what was known as the Miller Hotel situated about where the Christensen store is now located. Mr. Miller, at an early age, in fact before he was old enough to commence without the consent of his parents, engaged in railroading with the old B.C.R. & N. Ry. He commenced as a brakeman and gradually worked up to the position he has held for so many years, as conductor. He has always been located in this city and was married here, and reared two sons and educated them in the schools of this city. Mr. Miller has been a good business man, painstaking and saving and has accumulated some wealth, owning land in this county and bank stock in the Iowa Savings bank of which he was a director.

Arrangements for the funeral services have not been completed as we go to press.

Mrs. Miller who underwent an operation at the hospital a short time ago and who has been confined to her bed at their home since the operation, had sufficiently recovered to be taken to his bedside before death called him away. (Estherville Enterprise, Estherville, IA, May 11, 1921)

Funeral Services of M. B. Miller Were Largely Attended
Many Friends Pay Last Tribute to Prominent Man – Masonic Lodge Attended
The funeral services of M. B. Miller whose death was noted in these columns last week was held from the home on Maple and Ninth streets last Thursday afternoon. Mr. miller having lived in Estherville almost from the time was founded was so well and favorably known that almost to the man the people of Estherville could be called his friends. As a result the attendance was very large.

Rev. J. W. LaGrone of the Methodist Episcopal church was in charge of the funeral service, the music was furnished by a male quartet composed of the Messrs. Brems, Manthe and Albertson, Miss Morse accompanied at the piano. The flowers were very beautiful and in great profusion, many costly pieces having been sent by the various branches of the Masonic order, the Railroad Brotherhoods and personal friends. The body was buried in the family lot in Oak Hill Cemetery.

Members of the North Star Lodge No. 447 A.F. and A.M. of which organization deceased was a highly respected member, attended the funeral in a body and accompanied the remains to Oak Hill cemetery where the beautiful Masonic burial services were given by J. W. Ghoslin acting master. A Knight Templar escort consisting of Commander J. W. Peterson, H. T. Nichols, Alex Johnston, C. J. Wilson and J. E. Stockdale accompanied the remains from the home to the last resting place. The pall bearers were: M. J. Groves, Lloyd Stockdale, Frank Haller, L. R. Benton, Al Meisner and Frank Carpenter. (Vindicator and Republican, Estherville, IA, May 18, 1921)