Biography - ALFRED GREEN MILLER

For the past sixteen years Alfred Green Miller has been identified with the business interests of Girard, of which village he is now mayor. He was born in Macoupin county on the 11th of September, 1871, being a son of John and Delia (King) Miller, the father being a native of Germany and the mother of North Carolina. His maternal grandfather, A. G. King, was also a native of North Carolina. John Miller came to Macoupin county in 1857, locating on a farm in the cultivation of which he engaged until 1878, when he came to Girard and went into the teaming and tiling business. In August, 1862, he responded to the call for troops and enlisted as a private in Company H, One Hundred and Twenty-second Illinois Volunteer Infantry. He remained at the front for three years, being honorably discharged in July, 1865, following which he returned to this county where he continued to reside. He passed away at his home in Girard in March, 1911.

Alfred Green Miller has always resided in Macoupin county, attending the public schools of Nilwood and Girard during his boyhood and youth. When he was eighteen he began to learn the painter’s trade from William Schelb in whose employ he remained until 1895, when they formed a partnership. As Schelb & Miller they continued to be associated in business until 1910, when Mr. Miller withdrew from the business to become identified with the firm of Gardner, Leonard & Co., who control all of the moving picture houses and airdomes in Girard, Virden, West Frankfort, Christopher and Johnson City'.

Mr. Miller was united in marriage to Miss Martha McLean, a daughter of Robert and Rose (Wood) McLean, the father a native of Scotland and the mother of England, the union being solemnized on the 12th of December, 1899. To them has been born one daughter, Garnett Lucille.

The fraternal relations of Mr. Miller are confined to his membership in the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, his local identification being with Girard Lodge, No. 192, I. O. O. F., in which he has filled all of the chairs. He also belongs to Painters Union, No. 441, of which he was at one time president. His political support Mr. Miller gives to the democratic party and was their successful candidate at the last municipal election for the office of mayor. He is one of the enterprising citizens of the town, whose trustworthiness and reliability in business transactions has not only brought him a fair degree of prosperity but many friends, who hold him in high respect.

Extracted 17 Nov 2018 by Norma Hass from History of Macoupin County, Illinois: Biographical and Pictorial, by Charles A. Walker, published in 1911, Volume 2, pages 585-586.