Miller, Joseph F.

The following data is extracted from Racine, Belle City of the lakes, and Racine County, Wisconsin : a record of settlement, organization, progress and achievement.

Deep regret was felt throughout Racine when Joseph F. Miller passed away on the 17th of September, 1915. He was then a comparatively young man of forty-five years. Practically his entire life had been spent in this city and he became active in the management and conduct of a shoe manufacturing business which had been established by his father, Joseph Miller, long one of the honored and prominent manufacturers of southeastern Wisconsin. It was on the 29th of June, 1870, that Joseph F. Miller was born, his parents being Joseph and Theresa (Bauer) Miller, both of whom were natives of Germany. Extended reference to the father is made on another page of this work.

Reared in his native city, Joseph F. Miller acquired his education in the public schools and afterward became connected with the business which his father had established in 1857. The business was incorporated in 1882 under the name of the J. Miller Company and as the sons reached a sufficient age the father admitted them to an interest in the business. Joseph F. Miller assumed the duties of bookkeeper and continued in that capacity until his death, while at the same time he was active in shaping the policy and directing the interests of the concern. He was recognized by his associates and contemporaries as an able business man, alert, energetic, enterprising and progressive, having the ability to wisely direct the important interests to which he and his brothers had succeeded.

In 1898 Mr. Miller was married to Miss Cecelia Gillen, who passed away in 1901. Two sons were born to this union, but both died in infancy. It. was in June, 1904, that. Mr. Miller was united in marriage to Miss Catherine Reichert, a daughter of Nicholas F. Reichert, who passed away on the 22nd of April, 1913. He was born in Racine, April 24, 1854, representing one of its old pioneer families, his parents, Mr. and Mrs. Frederick Reichert, having established their home here in 1840. A sketch of Nicholas F. Reichert appears below.

Mrs. Miller is well known in the social circles of Racine and its vicinity and is a member of St. Rose Catholic church, of which Mr. Miller was also a communicant, and he belonged likewise to the Knights of Columbus and the Benevolent Protective Order of Elks. His political allegiance was given to the Republican Party, which received his stanch endorsement. Always a resident of Racine, his business connections and social interests had made him widely known and the sterling, traits of his character had established him firmly in the high regard of many friends, who delighted in his companionship, rejoiced in his success and acknowledged his worth.

Source: Racine, Belle City of the lakes, and Racine County, Wisconsin : a record of settlement, organization, progress and achievement

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