Delevan Miller

As printed in 1913

Delevan Miller may well be proud of the work he has accomplished and is still accomplishing as mayor of Nevada, for it is constructive and progressive in character and always directed with a view to the best interests of the community. His life record should serve as an encouragement and inspiration to others for he started out in life as a day laborer and by courage, steadfast purpose and indefatigable activity worked his way upward to success. He was born in Lancaster, Keokuk county, Iowa, November 11, 1858, and is a son of Thomas and Eliza J. (McGarry) Miller, the former a native of Beaver

, Mongle county, Pennsylvania, born February 25, 1832, and the latter of Wayne county, Ohio, born in 1834. The father was a veteran of the Civil war, having served for four years as a member of the Third Ohio Cavalry, and after the close of hostilities returned to Wyandot county, where he followed his trade of harness-making for five years. He subsequently was engaged in the grocery business in Nevada until 1894, when he retired. He died in 1898 and was survived by his wife until 1906. In this family were seven children, Chester M., Delevan, Laura A., Lovie M., Charles P., James E., and a child, who died in infancy.

Delevan Miller acquired his education in the public schools of Wyandot comity and laid aside his books at the age of eighteen. He began his independent career as a day laborer and in this capacity worked until 1879. He was from 1882 to 1885 a clerk in a grocery store in Nevada and he afterward formed a partnership with Mr. Keltner and purchased the business, which they continued to conduct together until 1888, when Mr. Miller purchased his partner's interests. He managed the enterprise alone until 1891, when his father joined him in its conduct, the firm being known as T. P. Miller & Son. They built up a profitable business, their association continuing until Mr. Miller's brother, Charles P., purchased the father's share and the enterprise was continued under the name of Miller Brothers. They controlled one of the most important retail grocery concerns in the city and were accorded a liberal patronage because their business standards were always progressive, their methods upright and straightforward and their prices reasonable. Mr. Miller, of this review, continued his connection with the business until 1902, when, having acquired a comfortable fortune, he retired from active business life. He owns an attractive home in Nevada, a half interest in a four and one-half acre tract of city property and has valuable outside real-estate holdings, owning fifty-five acres on section 15, Antrim township.

For a number of years past Mr. Miller has taken a deep interest in public affairs and, always representing the democratic party, has held various important public offices, the duties of which he has discharged in a competent and able manner. He was for two terms a member of the Nevada council, for one term clerk of the village and in 1911 was elected mayor. He has given to the people of the community

[This passage is too damaged in the scanned book to reproduce. See the original book.]

On the 17th of September, 1890, in Nevada, Mr. Miller was united in marriage to Miss Mary M. Klingler, a daughter of J. M. and Elizabeth (Dinkle) Klingler, the former a well known shoemaker in this city. Mr. and Mrs. Miller reared a boy, J. D. Lee, who is at present a traveling salesman. He married Miss May E. White, of Nevada.

Fraternally Mr. Miller is identified with the Masonic order and the Order of the Eastern Star. His wife is very prominent in the work of the Woman's Christian Temperance TTnion. They are members of the Methodist church and Mr. MUler serves as trustee and as assistant teacher of a Sunday-school class, which meets once a month. He is a man of exemplary character and in all lines of activity in the city, whether social, business, religious or political, his influence has been a powerful factor for good.

As printed in Past and present of Wyandot County, Ohio; a record of settlement, organization, progress and achievement; (1913). See the original pages. Wording is the original; obvious scanning errors have been corrected, and a few may remain.