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William F. Miller, one of
the foremost figures in insurance circles of Edmonton, is a self-made
man, who from an early age has depended upon his own resources for a
livelihood, winning advancement through hard work and conscientious
application to the duties given him to perform. He was born in
Caithness, Scotland, in 1872, and his parents were William and Jessie
(Sinclair) Miller, the former of whom was born in that city in 1834.
They were there married in 1862. The father passed away in 1917, when
eighty-three years of age. The mother is living.
William Francis Miller
attended the public schools of his native city to the age of fourteen,
when he became a wage earner, securing work in a retail hardware store
of Caithness, where he was employed for five years. lie then went to
Glasgow and for twelve years was a resident of that city, during which
period he was connected with two hardware establishments, having charge
of a department in each. In 1892 he emigrated to the United States,
making his way to Chicago, Illinois, and for about fourteen months was
identified with one of the large wholesale stores of that city, at the
end of which time he returned to Glasgow, Scotland. He was placed at the
head of a department in a wholesale and retail hardware house there but
soon afterward went to Greenock, Scotland, where he opened a retail
hardware store, which he operated until 1900. He then sold the business
and going to Dundee, South Africa, he became part owner of a general
store, but on the expiration of nine months left that country, returning
to Scotland. He was in Dundee, Scotland, until 1910, when he came to
western Canada, and after his arrival in Edmonton he entered the service
of the Grand Trunk Pacific Railroad Company, having charge of its
contractors' supplies store at Becker Day until October, 1911. In
February, 1912, he became agent for the Prudential Insurance Company,
with which he has since been associated, and was later promoted to the
position of assistant superintendent, which he filled until September
20, 1920, when he was made superintendent, in which capacity he is now
serving. He discharges the duties of this office with efficiency and
fidelity and is proving well worthy of the trust reposed in him, the
company considering him one of its most valued representatives.
Mr. Miller was married in
Dundee, Scotland, on June 25, 1895, to Miss Jessie Edward, a native of
that country, and they have four children, the eldest of whom is Jessie
Sinclair Edward. Alex Edward, the next of the family, was horn in 1897.
He is a veteran of the World war, enlisting in December, 1916, and in
the same year was sent overseas. Early in 1917 he went to France with
the Fiftieth Battalion of Infantry, remaining in that country until he
was gassed for the second time, when he was sent to England shortly
before the signing of the armistice; William Francis was born in
Scotland, in 1900, and also participated in the World war. When but
sixteen and a half years of age he enlisted at Edmonton as a private in
the One Hundred and Thirty-eighth Battalion of Infantry and was made
drummer in the bugle band of his unit. In November, 1916, he was ordered
to England, where he was stationed until February, 1919, when he
returned to Edmonton; Margaret Edward is the youngest of the children.
Mr. Miller is a member of
the Westminster Presbyterian church of Edmonton and politically he is an
adherent of the Conservative party. He is a Master Mason and is also a
member of the Underwriters Association and St. Andrew's Club. lie has
had broad experience in business affairs and his entire career has been
dominated by a spirit of progress that has been productive of
substantial results, He is recognized as a man of substantial worth,
honor and integrity being the keynote of his character. |
