William G. Miller. The business and social career of the subject of this sketch is a striking example of what may be accomplished by the American youth who possesses energy and determination to win in the great battle of life. His success has been honestly deserved and bravely won by upright business methods and great energy and should be an encouragement to all young men who are ambitious to succeed. Mr. Miller was born in Suffolk County, February 2, 1853, a son of James G. and Elizabeth W. (Wasson) Miller. The father was a prominent and successful farmer and fruit grower, and, being a man of unblemished reputation, he was greatly respected in the community in which he lived, was active in all good works and was a zealous and faithful member of the Presbyterian Church. He held a number of minor official positions, but was never very active in that respect. His estimable wife, to whom he was married in New York City in 1848, still survives him. They became the parents of five children, of whom four still survive, William G. being the eldest son.

The early life of our subject was spent in healthful farm work and in attending school during the winter months until he was seventeen years of age, when he determined to seek his fortune in the city of Brooklyn. He first mastered the details of the building business, and when only twenty-one had already become a skillful manufacturer of small cabinet ware, his goods being shipped to all parts of the United States and Canada. While in this business he acquired a keen insight into business methods and this has been of material benefit to him in carrying on the many undertakings in which he has since been engaged. In 1882 a partnership was formed with J. J. Randall, the firm taking the name of Randall & Miller, and together they embarked extensively in the building business, particularly in Brooklyn, where a very extensive business is still carried on. These gentlemen are largely interested in valuable tracts of land in the vicinity of Freeport, and the progress, development and rapid growth of this village must be almost enlargely attributable to the energy and push of this firm.

Mr. Miller has always been remarkably public spirited, and helped to organize the Freeport Bank, of which he has been one of its directors from the beginning. He is president of the Queens and Suffolk County Insurance Company, and was one of the organizers of the Seventeenth Ward Bank of Brooklyn, being a director in each of them. He favored the incorporation of the village of Freeport, pushed the question of water works, has served continuously as a member of the board of water commissioners, and after one of the village school houses was burned and the entire place threatened with destruction, he was one of the first and most enthusiastic to favor the organization of a thoroughly equipped fire department. He also joined the progressive element and urged the building of the present splendid school house, and immediately after he and his partner had erected this building, he was elected a member of the board of education, thus showing the appreciation with which his efforts had been regarded. Three times he has been elected president of the village, being the present incumbent, and is also president of the board of water commissioners. In several large financial institutions of Brooklyn he is a director, is actively engaged in contracting and building, and has often discharged the duties of trustee and executor, from which it will be seen that he is a very busy man.

Mr. Miller is very genial and cordial in manners, and his success has not removed him from, but rather brought him in closer touch with the people, from whom he commands universal respect, affection and confidence, and by whom his advice is often sought. Politically he is an ardent Republican, and he has often served as president of political organizations. Although political offices have frequently been tendered him, he has always declined them, except such as were without salary, as the demands of patriotism lay upon loyal citizens. The same earnestness and fidelity which have marked his business and public life have also characterized his religious obligations, and he is a devoted member of the Freeport Methodist Episcopal Church. At Freeport he joined heartily in the erection of the new Methodist Church, and he and his partner took the contract to build the church at cost. He is now president of the board of trustees and is one of the constant attendants of the services.

Mr. Miller was married in 1876 to Miss Mary E. Randall, daughter of Jehial W. and Marietta Randall of Suffolk County, and to their union four children have been given: Raymond J., Marietta R., William G., Jr., and Florence Elizabeth. The home life of Mr. Miller is singularly happy, and in his bright, cheerful and intelligent wife he has found a true help-mate. Our subject is now in the prime and vigor of manhood, active and capable, well known for his sound judgment, is a devoted friend, a congenial companion and is a true Christian in every sense of the word. By diligence he has secured success and his friends delight in the fact that a long life of usefulness is still before him.