1892 Biography - Simon Miller

Simon Miller, a prosperous merchant residing in East Baton Rouge parish, La., is a native of Germany, born in 1842. He received the thorough elementary education for which his nation is noted for bestowing upon her youth, and in 1859 bade farewell to the "Fatherland," and sailed away to America. He settled in New Orleans, and was employed by his brother as an accountant in a clothing house until 1862. He then established himself in business in New Orleans, handling the same line of goods. Afterward he went into the shoe business in the same city, but disposed of his interest and went to Churchville, where he engaged in the general mercantile trade for two years. At the end of that period he removed to "The Plains," the old battle grounds, where he carries on a flourishing business. His stock is valued at $5,000 and his annual sales amount to $30,000. He owns 600 acres of land, the cultivation of which he superintends in connection with his mercantile business. He also owns and operates a steam gin. Mr. Miller was united in marriage in 1866 to Miss Augusta Wolf, of Louisiana, and eight children were born of the union---five sons and three daughters. Although of German birth, Mr. Miller is a most patriotic citizen, and when the war broke out between the North and South, he enlisted in the home guards and was a member of the company until the close of the war. He is a member of Plains lodge, No. 135, A. F. & A. M., of which he is senior warden. He belongs to the Sons of the Covenant, a society which contributes to the Jewish Widows and Orphans home and the Jewish asylum. Moses J. Miller, father of our subject, was born in 1790, and died in 1874. He was a native of Germany and never came to this country. His wife is still living, but resides in Germany. In his religious views Mr. Miller affiliates with the Reformed Israelites, and politically he is allied to the democratic party. He is a man who has made himself what he is through his own effort, and is deserving of the esteem in which he is held throughout the parish.

Contributed 2021 Nov 04 by Mike Miller, from Biographical and Historical Memoirs of Louisiana, published in 1892, volume 2, page 258.