Various corporate interests have felt the stimulus and benefited by the co-operation of Frank J. Miller, who is recognized as a man of sound business judgment and keen discrimination. His plans are ever carefully formed and promptly executed, and energy and determination have enabled him to overcome all obstacles and difficulties in his path. His chief interest, perhaps, is that of the J. Miller Company, one of the oldest and largest shoe manufacturing concerns of this section of the country, of which he is the president. The difficulties of an undertaking do not deter him, for he recognizes the fact that when one avenue of opportunity seems closed, he can carve out other paths which will bring him to the desired goal.
Mr. Miller is a native of Racine. He was born February 17, 1860, a son of Joseph and Theresa (Bauer) Miller, the former the founder of the J. Miller Company and long prominently and actively associated with shoe manufacturing interests here.
Frank J. Miller supplemented his studies by a course in the McMynn Academy, from which in due time he was graduated. He made his start in the business world with the J. Miller Company, acquainting himself with the practical end of manufacturing and thus becoming qualified to direct the labors of employees. About 1901 he became treasurer of the company and upon the death of his father in 1905 succeeded to the presidency. The J. Miller Company is one of the oldest and most important shoe manufacturing concerns of this section. The plant has a capacity of twenty-five hundred pairs of men’s and boys’ shoes per day and their stock is well known to the purchasing public as the Miller Made Shoe. They sell to the retail trade direct and employ over twenty traveling men to represent them upon the road. The plant was burned during the great fire in Racine but was at once rebuilt and has been equipped with the most modern machinery. It is supplied with steam power and a sprinkler system, while the buildings are of mill construction. The plant is one hundred and forty by one hundred and twenty feet, four stories in height, and the employees now number three hundred and seventy-five. They manufacture an attractive line of footwear and enjoy a growing trade which has made the undertaking a very prosperous and profitable one.
Mr. Miller is a man of resourceful business ability and has been identified with various other commercial and financial concerns. He has served as a director of the First National Bank, also served as a director of the Manufacturers National Bank and was treasurer of the Belle City Street Railway Company until it was sold. He is likewise vice president of the Idlewild Land Company and director of the American Trades and Savings Bank of Racine.
On the 3rd of August, 1908, Mr. Miller was married to Miss Minnie B. Whitford, of Beloit, Wisconsin. They are members of the St. Rose Catholic church and Mr. Miller is identified with the Knights of Columbus and with the Elks. He has served as a member of the board of education and several years ago was a member of the fire and police board. He is now identified with the Commercial Club and is interested in all that pertains to the welfare and progress of the city, co-operating in all those plans and measures which promise most for Racine’s substantial improvement.