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JOHN WESLEY MILLER.
Entering upon the struggle for advancement among men as a school teacher, and conducting his work in that occupation in such a manner as to tell to his advantage in a substantial way and give him a strong hold on the confidence and regard of the people, and now a leading lumber merchant, with an extensive trade and an excellent name in business circles, John Wesley Miller, of Carbondale, has known and obeyed a stern sense of duty, been wise to the ways of the world, and used all his opportunities greatly to his own advantage and essentially for the benefit of the communities in which he has lived, labored and made his progress.
Mr. Miller is a native of Indiana, born at Fort Wayne on Judy 30, 1863, and a son of Emanuel J. and Noima (Maxwell) Miller. The father was a preacher in the United Brethren church and died in his work of benevolence and improvement, and while the objects of his care were rejoicing in his pronounced usefulness. He preached the gospel of Christianity with fearlessness and fervor, and performed all the pastoral duties of his high calling with great fidelity, industry and zeal, leaving his family an excellent example, a good name and the record of a well spent life.
His son John Wesley began his education in the public schools and completed it at Ewing College in Ewing, Illinois. After leaving that institution he taught school ten years, and while engaged in this important but largely unappreciated occupation served as principal of
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the schools in Benton, Thompsonville and other towns. He made a good record and a high reputation in his work as a teacher, but found his progress too slow to suit his desires, and turned his attention to the more active and promising .field of mercantile life.
During the next three years after he quit teaching Mr. Miller carried on a lively and flourishing business in the lumber trade. At the end of that period he sold his business, which was located at DuQuoin in Perry county, this state, and moved to Carbondale, arriving and locating here in 1883. He at once started again in the lumber business, and with this he has been connected ever since, expanding his trade and growing into popular favor as the years have passed, until now he is one of the leading business men of the city, and one of its most esteemed and representative citizens from every point of view.
In addition to his lumber interests he has stock in the Carbondale Mill and Elevator Company and the Carbondale Building, Loan and Homestead Association, and is one of the directors of each of these worthy and beneficial enterprises. He takes an earnest interest and an active part in the management of the public affairs of the city and has rendered it good service as a member of the school board for six years. In matters of public improvement he is always one of the foremost and most effective aids, and in connection with everything that is designed to promote the general welfare of the people, or their advantage in any special way, the benefit of his intelligence in counsel and his help in material assistance are to be relied on at all times, whatever may be the issue.
Mr. Miller was married on October 10, 1902, to Miss Kate Snider, a daughter of Michael and Martha (Brewster) Snider, widely respected residents of Carbondale and farmers of Jackson county. Mrs. Miller is a graduate of the Southern Illinois Normal University and a highly cultivated lady. Her husband is a Freemason of the Knights Templar degree and a past master of his lodge. Both have the regard of the whole people.