Jacob
B. Miller, one of the old and substantial business men of Courtland is senior
member of the well known mercantile firm of Miller & Jackson, commanding a
large and prosperous business. Mr. Miller was born at Sheridan, Yuba county, California,
on the 15th of November, 1867, a son of Jacob and Martha (Schneider)
Miller, who came to California by way of the isthmus of Panama in 1850, being
numbered among the real pioneers of this locality. Mr. Miller became the owner
of a brewery at Oroville, but later bought a ranch at Sheridan and thereafter
devoted his attention to farming. He died when his son Jacob B. was a small
boy. The mother is still living, at the age of ninety-three years, and makes
her home at Los Gatos, this state. To them were born nine children, seven of
whom are living.
Jacob
B. Miller attended the public schools of Sacramento until fourteen years of
age, when he secured employment in a store at Quincy. Later for a number of
years he was employed in a wholesale house which dealt in ranges and for
thirteen years he and one of his brothers were engaged in the hardware and
sheet metal business on J street, between Eleventh and Twelfth streets. He then
became associated with William Newbert and Charles Bauer and bought a general
merchandise business in Courtland. This proved profitable and gradually
developed into a more extensive business, necessitating larger quarters, to
meet which demand the present property was acquired, remodeled and enlarged.
This is now one of the leading stores of this section of the valley. Mr.
Newbert sold his interest in the business to Messrs. Miller and Bauer, and in
1924 Mr. Bauer died, Mr. Miller
becoming sole owner. Later he admitted D. D.
Jackson to a partnership in the business, which is now conducted under
the firm name of Miller & Jackson. They carry a large stock of goods and
through their uniform courtesy and attention to the needs of their customers
have built up an extensive trade, their patronage coming from a wide territory.
Mr. Miller was also one of the organizers of the Bank of Courtland, of which he
was a director for many years.
Mr.
Miller was united in marriage to Miss Viva Jackson, who was born in Sacramento
and is a daughter of Mr. and Mrs. J. M. Jackson, the former having been a
merchant of that city. Mr. and Mrs. Miller are the parents of two daughters,
Ethel and Minnie, the latter the wife of E. L. Ryan. Politically Mr. Miller is a progressive democrat and takes a
helpful interest in public affairs. He is thirty-second Scottish Rite Mason; a
Noble of the mystic Shrine at Sacramento, and of the Native Sons of the Golden
West, in which he has passed through the chairs. His favorite diversions are
baseball and motoring. During all the years of his residence in this community
he has shown a consistent interest in everything which has pertained to the progress and welfare of the people,
and stands among Courtland’s influential and respected business men.
Transcribed
by Marla
Fitzsimmons.
Source: History of the
Sacramento Valley California Vol. III 1931. Page 85-86.
© 2004 Marla
Fitzsimmons.