John A. Miller

1894–1974

John Miller lived as a boy in the Meeting House Lane toll house where his father was the toll-taker. He was interviewed by the Main Line Chronicle in 1970: "John Miller's Dad Was Toll-Keeper On Pike" (PDF), page 21.

older man with mustache wearing bow tie, zippered seater — 1951 photo taken for the Bulletin interview, edited for publication.

Best of All

John A. Miller has lived in Narberth for 54 years. "I've traveled some,"" he said, "but I've always found the Narberth is the best place of all."

Miller, of 111 Forest av., has a roofing, sheet metal and air conditioning business. He is a former fire chief of Narberth and was active in the Volunteer Fire Company for 38 years.

"We have everything a larger community has," he said, "stores that furnish all the needs of the average family, good transportation and plenty of recreation.

"Our community building is one of the finest there is. There aren't many places have the kind of recreation center that we have.

"Everybody here has plenty of community spirit, too. Whenever there's anything going on, we're sure they'll be a big turnout because Narberth people are like that."

One of ten interviews from the June 24, 1951 Evening Bulletin article Narberth — Its People Call It 'Best Darn Town in the World'.

Howard E. Davis: Runs General Store
Mrs. E. Lee Goldsborough, Jr.: Work Together
John A. Miller: Best of All
Mathew F. Callahan: Borough Run Well
William D. Galloway, Jr.: Doesn't Mind Taxes
Mrs. John W. Gosser: Lifelong Resident
Mrs. Blanche Humphries: Good Police Force
Domenic Giuliani: Treated Well
Miss Margaret Gassner: Children Alert
Mrs. George E. Snyder, Jr.: Tight Little Community

Courtesy of the Special Collections Research Center, Temple University, Philadelphia

Updated January 8, 2024.

U. S. Census

Census	Age	Race	Gender	Marital	Relation	Address	Birthplace	Father's	Mother's	As transcribed
1900	7	White	Male	Single	Son	346 Meeting House Ln.	Pennsylvania	Germany	Germany	John Miller	Montgomery
1920	26	White	Male	Married	Head	234 Iona Ave.	Pennsylvania	Pennsylvania	Germany	John A Miller	234 Iona
1940	46	White	Male	Married	Head	111 Forrest Ave.	Pennsylvania			John A Miller	111 Forrest
1950	56	White	Male	Married	Head	111 Forrest Ave.	Pennsylvania			John L Miller	111 Forrest 1st floor

Census Households

Census	Name	Relation	Age	Own	Race	Marital	Birthplace	Business	Trade	Note
1900	John Miller	Head	31	Rent	White	Married	Germany		Toll Taker	Montgomery Ave.
	Margaret Miller	Wife	32		White	Married	Germany
	Maggie Miller	Daughter	13		White	Single	New York		at school
	Joseph Miller	Son	9		White	Single	Pennsylvania		at school
	John A Miller	Son	7		White	Single	Pennsylvania		at school
	Edward Miller	Son	5		White	Single	Pennsylvania
	Emma Miller	Daughter	2		White	Single	Pennsylvania
1920	John A Miller	Head	26	Own	White	Married	Pennsylvania	Roofing and Heaters	Proprietor
	Dorothy Miller	Wife	25		White	Married	Pennsylvania
1940	John A Miller	Head	46	Own	White	Married	Pennsylvania	Own Business	Metal Work
	Dorothy Miller	Wife	45		White	Married	Pennsylvania
	John Albert Miller	Nephew	18		White	Single	Pennsylvania
1950	John A Miller	Head	56		White	Married	Pennsylvania	Heating, Roofing, Metal	Owner & Manager
	Dorothy Miller	Wife	55		White	Married	Pennsylvania

John A. Miller on FamilySearch (census & other records; requires free account)