Individual 6: Miller, Peter John (Pete)

Individual Record 6

Name} Miller, Peter John (Pete)

Family History} Olson

Title}

Race} White

Sex} Male

Birth: Date} Exa 18 Jan 1899

Place} 237 Washington St., Perth Amboy, Middlesex, New Jersey

Marr.: Date} Exa 30 Nov 1918

Place} 18 Bryant Street, Rahway, Union, New Jersey (Link)

Death: Date} Exa 19 Nov 1967

Place} St. Mary's Hospital, Hesperia, San Bernardino, California

Burial: Date} Exa 22 Nov 1967

Place} Rose Hills Memorial Park, Whittier, Los Angeles, California

Grave Marker} Yes

Source 1}	12 = Family notes *
Source 2}	50 = Family histry
Source 3}	1331=Genealogy *
Source 4}	252 = Birth certif
Source 5}	54 = 1900 USA cen
Source 6}	232 = 1910 USA cen
Source 7}	2149=1915 NJ cen
Source 8}	845 = Military rec
Source 9}	591 = Letter
Source 10}	251 = Marriage cert
Source 11}	590 = Marriage cert

Parents: } Christian Hansen Møller & Dorthea Hansen
Relationship No.} 6

1st Household No.} 36 = Perth Amboy, Middlesex, New Jersey

Occupation 1} Merchant/storekeeper
Occupation 2} Bookkeeper

Religion/Church} Presbyterian

Spouses: Prime} Baldwin, Evelyn Mae
Total Number of} 1

Source 12} 2150=Marriage rec
Source 13} 2151=Newspaper
Source 14} 2152=Church record
Source 15} 469 = 1920 USA cen
Source 16} 629 = Church rec
Source 17} 2148=Newspaper
Source 18} 1333=1930 USA cen
Source 19} 628 = Church rec
Source 20} 2053=City directory
Source 21} 1249=Photograph
Source 22} 1258=Postcards
Source 23} 325 = Business Dir
Source 24} 1334=1940 USA cen
Source 25} 1972=Military rec
Source 26} 556 = Newspaper
Source 27} 1265=Photograph
Source 28} 470 = Interview

Source 29} 1256=Letter
Source 30} 1251=Insurance
Source 31} 1273=Newspaper
Source 32} 2114=1950 USA cen
Source 33} 326 = Phone book
Source 34} 327 = Phone book
Source 35} 328 = Phone book
Source 36} 565 = Certificate
Source 37} 161 = Photograph
Source 38} 569 = Newspaper
Source 39} 570 = Newspaper
Source 40} 988 = City directy
Source 41} 622 = Postcards
Source 42} 630 = Photograph *
Source 43} 642 = Photograph
Source 44} 645 = Photograph
Source 45} 649 = Photograph

Source 46} 673 = Photograph
Source 47} 1253=Photograph
Source 48} 39 = Address list
Source 49} 489 = Antiques
Source 50} 589 = Memorabilia
Source 51} 614 = Memorabilia
Source 52} 1266=Memorabilia
Source 53} 533 = Death record
Source 54} 541 = S.S. record
Source 55} 567 = Obituary
Source 56} 568 = Newsletter
Source 57} 610 = Newspaper
Source 58} 13 = Funeral rec
Source 59} 2153=Probate rec
Source 60} 179 = Cemetery rec
Source 61} 1094=Cemetery rec
Source 62} 1983=Cemetery rec

Notes: Peter John Miller, better known as Pete, was born 18 Jan 1899 at 237 Washington St., Perth Amboy, Middlesex, New Jersey. He was the fourth of five sons born to Christian Hansen Møller and Dorthea Hansen. He was christened on 16 Apr 1899 at St. Stephan's Danish Lutheran Church.

In the 1900 U.S. census, Peter Miller, 1, was living with his parents, Ch. Miller, 30, and Dorthea, 35, both born in Denmark, at 237 Washington Street, Perth Amboy, NJ. His father was a brakeman for the railroad. They owned their home with a mortgage. His older brothers were Hans, 6, Alfred 5, and Chris, 3.

By the 1910 U.S. census, Peter J. Miller, 11, had moved with his family to 315 Washington Street, Perth Amboy, NJ. Ch. Miller, 40, and Dorthea, 43, again owned their home with a mortgage. His father was still working for the railroad. His brothers were Hans J., 16, Rasmus C., 13, and Harold M., 6.

In the 1915 New Jersey State census, Peter Miller, 16, was listed as a clerk. Living with his parents, Christ H. Miller, 43, and Dorothy, 49, at 315 Washington St., his brothers were Hans, 22, a student at Pratt Ins., Alfred 20, a carpenter, Christian 18, a clerk, and Harold, 12, a grammar scholar. His father was still a brakeman. Listed at the same address was Edward Kranich, 37, a printer, and his wife Emma, 39.

The entire family was musical, and Pete played the violin shown in the photograph at right. In January and April, Peter received letters from his mother, who at that time was hospitalized in the Trenton State Hospital.

In September 1918, Pete registered for the World War Draft. He was 18 years old, and living with his family at 315 Washington Street. He was a bank clerk for First National Bank, located at 126 Smith Street. He was described as being tall and slender, with blue eyes and brown hair.

On 30 Nov 1918, Peter John Miller married Evelyn Mae Baldwin in an evening ceremony performed at 18 Bryant Street, Rahway, Union, New Jersey by the pastor of the First Baptist Church, G. Merrill; They are shown at the left two months before their marriage. On 11 Nov 1918, shortly before their marriage, his father, Chris H. Miller, signed a "Supplemental Report of Birth Containing Name of Child". Evidently when Pete was born, a birth certificate was issued without a name, and it was probably needed for the marriage license.

Their first son, John Leslie, was born in August 1919, and was baptized in the First Presbyterian Church of Perth Amboy, New Jersey. In the 1920 U.S. census, Peter J. Miller, 20, and Evelyn, 23, were living at 228 Sherman Road, Perth Amboy, Ward 4, Middlesex, New Jersey. Their son John was 4 months old. Pete was a bookkeeper for a bank. Also living with them were Chris Miller, 55, his wife Anna, 53, and their son August, 16, all born in Denmark Chris was a carpenter, and August was a clerk. Their relationship, if any, is unknown.

Pete and Evelyn began to add to their family. Their son Robert was born in 1921, daughter Frances in 1923, son Alfred, 1926, and son Wilfred in 1929.

In 1922, Pete and Evelyn were living in South Plainfield, New Jersey, and were members of the First Presbyterian Church of Perth Amboy. At some time they transfered their church membership to the the South Plainfield Baptist Church. In 1923, Pete was treasurer of the Carteret Trust Company. He was also a member of the Mt. Zion F.& A.M. Lodge in Metuchen, New Jersey. He remained a member until his death in 1967, as seen by a 1967 membership card.

In the 1930 U.S. census, Peter J. Miller, 31, is listed as an inmate in the U.S. Federal Penitentiary, in South Bend District, Fulton, Georgia. The reason is currently unknown. Evelyn and the children spent a year living nearby in Atlanta, Georgia. On 11 Jan 1931, Peter and Evelyn returned to the Presbyterian Church in Perth Amboy. At this time, their address was 205 Patterson Street, Perth Amboy, New Jersey. His occupation was listed in the Perth Amboy City Directory as credit manager for Reynolds Bros., Inc.

For some period of time, Pete had a print shop in Perth Amboy, named the Raritan Letter Shop. The depression was a rough time. On 5 Oct 1935, after selling their possessions, including a player piano, Peter and Evelyn left New Jersey with the family. As seen at left, they traveled by car, with all of their remaining possessions, to California, following the southern route, Route 66.

In California, the family settled in Wilmar (now Rosemead), Los Angeles County. Their 1939 address was 2912 Stevens Avenue, Wilmar. Peter worked as an accountant. It was also here that their daughter Ruth Jean was born. It was in the fall of 1939 that their son Jack hitchhiked from Wilmar to Perth Amboy, NJ, sending back postcards on his journey.

In the 1940 U.S. census, Peter J. Miller, 41, and Evelyn, 43, were listed at 2912 Stevens St., San Gabriel Twp., Los Angeles County. Peter and Evelyn had both completed 8th grade. Pete was an accountant for a drug store, with an income of $1680. They owned their home. Their children were Jack, 20, 4 years high school, a brick mason apprentice, income $320; Robert, 18, 4 years high school; Frances, 16, 2 years high school; Alfred, 14, 1 year high school; Wilfred, 10, 5th grade; and Ruth J., 3 months.

Peter John Miller, 43, registered for the World War II draft on 16 Feb 1942. He was employed by La Habra Stucco, and was described as 5'8", 150 lbs., with light complexion, gray hair, and blue eyes. His son Jack enlisted in the Army Air Forces on 28 Aug 1942.

In December 1942, Pete, Evelyn and daughter Ruth traveled to Perth Amboy, NJ, to help celebrate the 50th wedding anniversary of his parents, Christian and Dorthea Miller. Their visit was duly reported in the local newspaper.

On 5 Apr 1945, Pete was notified by telegram that their son John L. Miller (Jack) was killed in the Phillipine Islands on 12 Mar 1945 in an airplane crash. Buried originally in the Phillipines, his body was returned to the United States on 22 Sep 1948, where he was buried in Rose Hills Memorial Park, Whittier. Pete and his wife Evelyn both received lifetime monthly insurance payments of $24.90 from the National Service Life Insurance policy on Jack. He also received a letter of condolence from General Douglas MacArthur.

Over the years, Peter and Evelyn moved many times as documented by the postcards they received. From 2912 Stevens Ave., Wilmar (1939 - 1941) to 1236 South Garfield Avenue, Alhambra (1943); then 633 Meridian Avenue, Alhambra (1945); to 920 South Manley Drive, San Gabriel (1948); then 1821 South Atlantic Boulevard, Alhambra (1949).

In the 1950 U.S. census, Peter J. Miller, 51, and Evelyn, 53, were living at 1821 S. Atlantic Blvd., Alhambra, Los Angeles, CA. Pete was the proprietor of his own paint store. Still at home was Wilfred B., 20, working as a clerk in the paint store, and Ruth Jean, 10.

In 1951 Pete and Evelyn finally settled at 101 East Adams, Alhambra. The 1954 phone directory lists them and their son Bob as living at this address. Pete was the owner of the Pete Miller Paint Co., 223 East Valley Blvd., Alhambra. When grandchildren visited the store, they would always get a stick of Wrigley's chewing gum. With the help of his sons, he eventually built five paint and wallpaper stores in Southern California. (See Source No. 1273)

Pete was very active in the First Presbyterian Church of Alhambra. Among other things, he was an Elder, and served on the Board of Trustees. One of his major contributions to the church was the establishment of the Jack Miller Memorial Library in the memory of their oldest son Jack. In the community, he was active in the Alhambra YMCA, serving on the Executive Board for at least three years, and as Membership Chairman in 1955. In May of 1963, he served as general campaign manager for the re-election of Alhambra City Council member, Mrs. Norma Yocum.

Pete semi-retired, and he and Evelyn moved to the desert in Hesperia, San Bernardino County about 1958. Their initial home was at 18854 Vine, Hesperia. In 1961, he opened a new paint store in Hesperia. He was active in the Hesperia Chamber of Commerce, serving on the Retail Division, and was a member of the Kiwanis service club. He and his wife attended the Congregational Church, where he served as President of the Board of Trustees.

Peter J. Miller died unexpectedly 19 Nov 1967 of a heart attack at age of 68. Upon his death, their residence was 17681 Cajon Street, Hesperia. His last driver's license had been issued 3 Jan 1967, when he was turning 68 years old. At that time, he was described as 5"-8" tall, 170 lbs, with gray hair and blue eyes. The paint store held a major liquidation sale a year later in December 1968.

On Wednesday, 22 Nov 1967, funeral services were held at the Pierce Brothers-Fred A. Turner Chapel, Alhambra. The Assistant Pastor, Rev. James Glyer, of the First Presbyterian Church of Alhambra, led the services. A Memorial Service was held at the Hesperia Congregational Church on Sunday, 26 Nov 1967, led by Rev. Ivan Konkoly.

Pete is buried in Rose Hills Memorial Park, Whittier, California, in Parkview Lawn next to his son Jack L. Miller, and later his wife Evelyn Mae Miller.