John Robert Miller

The son of state senator Andrew George & Eleanor (Umberger) Miller, in 1860 he was a student living with his family in Shippensburg, Cumberland County, Pennsylvania. An educated man, he eventually graduated from Dickinson Academy, Washington & Jefferson College, and Princeton University, the last in 1863.

Unlike his brother William Edward, who was first court-martialed and later awarded a Medal of Honor for the same deed during the battle of Gettysburg, John was never a soldier during the Civil War despite what his obituary implies. However, he did serve in "an important post in the Quartermaster Corps at Reading at the close of the war."

He married Caroline Olivia Rankin and fathered Hugh Rankin (b. 06/27/75) and Carrie Eleanor (b./d. 1878). A two-term burgess of Carlisle, he died there from "chronic interstitial nephritis" that led to "uremia." Although his obituaries claim he had fainted and fatally struck his head, his uremia may well have been the cause of his blackout, and his death certificate does not mention the fall. His death certificate also claims a Chambersburg burial. See below for more on that.

Note the death certificate varies in year of death from the engraving on plate. If age is correct, his death year would have been 1841 rather than 1846 on plate.

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Burial or entombment is noted as Chambersburg on death certificate, and remains may have been moved to Carlisle upon completion of the Mausoleum there. Further research would need to be made.

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The Evening News, Harrisburg, PA, 24 Dec 1921:

OLDEST CARLISLE LAWYER THOUGHT DYING FROM FALL

CARLISLE, Dec 24 -- John R. Miller, oldest practicing attorney in the Cumberland Valley, is at his home in South West street, in a critical condition as a result of injuries sustained last night when he fell on a slippery sidewalk.

Miller was returning to his home from his office in the McCullough building about 10 o'clock when he fell. A short time later, feeling better, he attempted to leave his bedroom, when he fell to the floor unconscious. Physicians this morning announced that he was suffering with concussion of the brain and had little chance for recovery. He is in a semi-conscious condition.

Miller is a member of one of the oldest Cumberland County families. His son, Hugh Miller, is secretary of the Carlisle Chamber of Commerce. He served with the Union Army during the Civil War. His brother, Captain William Miller, who served as cavalry captain during the Civil War, who distinguished himself at Gettysburg, is a brother.

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