(EDTIOR’S Note: This story is the second part of a three-part piece, and the last portion will be published in an upcoming issue. The Luminary wishes to thank Doris (Claudfelter) Yeager for sharing her memories of her great-grandfather, as well as for providing some of the historical sources that were used in this article.)

In the late 1800s, factories were strategically built along the railroad lines in Montgomery, ensuring that the heavy loads from the factories could easily be transported great distances. The Susquehanna Log boom and the abundant timber in area made it a natural place for factories that centered around woodwork.

Rob Miller had been working at the Montgomery Table Works plant for 17 years when he decided to become a partial owner of the factory. Along with a fellow employee named William Waltman, they purchased a portion of Montgomery Table Works from William Decker (The Williamsport Sun, October 25, 1915).

In the economic boom that America experienced in the 1920s, Montgomery Table Works flourished. It was reported that in 1926, the workforce was made up of about 250 employees. Tables, desks, and bedroom suites were sold all across the nation. It was the largest factory in Lycoming County, and one of the biggest of its kind in the United States. The company was bringing in about one million dollars each year (American Biography: A New Cyclopedia – Volume 24 by William Richard Cutter).

One million dollars in 1926 would be the equivalent of $17,214,802.26 in today’s money.

While Rob may have been busy at work, he enjoyed a very happy home life with his wife Flora and their four children. Rob’s great-granddaughter, Doris (Claudfelter) Yeager, said that Rob and his wife Flora built a large house on Montgomery Street.

The home still stands, and is very near to Montgomery’s industrial district. The area between Montgomery Street and Broad Street was the home to many of the Decker businesses, including Montgomery Table Works.

Rob and his son Claude Miller would go on to found the Miller Desk Company in Montgomery.

Yeager provided a clipping from the Williamsport Sun that was dated December 2 but without a year, that was likely from 1929, stating that the Miller Desk Company would open on January 1 (other records, listed below, confirm the business was opened in 1930). The article said that both father and son had been long-term employees at Montgomery Table Works and knew a lot about the furniture business.

The Montgomery Area Historical Society had a copy of the news clipping in their archives about the Miller Desk Company. The Montgomery Mirror clipping was undated, but the heading of the page said, “Montgomery Mirror: Fiftieth Birthday.” The

Montgomery Mirror published its debut issue on May 18, 1889, according to “The History of Lycoming County, Pennsylvania” by John Franklin Meginness, so the article was likely published in 1939. The history of the Miller Desk Company was traced in the article. It stated that the Miller Desk Company began production on November 20, 1930. It said that the company was located in part of a facility that had been the property of the Lycoming Upholstering Company. The news clipping said, “The firm was composed of R.M. Miller and Mr. Claude Miller. This organization manufactured office desks, both of these gentleman having had considerable experience in furniture manufacturing.”

As Yeager recalled, the Miller Desk Company was located on Broad Street, near the Decker factories.

According to Yeager, “My maternal, great-grandfather, Robert Milton ‘Rob’ Miller, was as civic-minded resident of Montgomery, Pennsylvania. He was a gentleman of numerous accomplishments, and more importantly, a loving family man. Rob was respected for his efforts of encouragement and fairness to all.”

Rob’s son Claude Miller built a home down the road from his parent’s house on Montgomery Street. The house is currently a private residence, but for a time was an inn, Yeager said. It was known as The Inn at Whispering Oaks.

Miller loved spending time with his family and playing music. He was a trumpet player and would pass his love of music on to his children and grandchildren, and eventually some of his great-grandchildren.