Miller and Sons

Biographical notes:

C.L. (Clarence L.) Miller (b. circa 1886) and his younger brother Percy David Miller (b. circa 1889) were born in Iowa and moved to Whatcom County, Washington in 1910. Both men worked in the lumber and shingle business, establishing Miller and Sons around 1918. In April 1921, Percy sold his interest in Miller and Sons to C.L., although he continued to work in the timber industry for many years thereafter. The Millers were involved with numerous other business partnerships in addition to Miller and Sons. They operated primarily throughout Whatcom County, but conducted some business in Skagit and King Counties as well.

In 1919, the Miller-Lidstone Lumber Company was formed in conjunction with L.W. Lidstone, although the latter was bought out by the Millers by the end of the year. C.L. was also involved in the Miller Logging Company (established in 1923 with Percy Miller and R.E. White), and the Miller-Allen Company (established in 1931 with W.R. Allen). In 1935, C.L. Miller partnered with R.E. Hagin to establish the Miller-Hagin Shingle Company, while also operating a mill owned by the Upright Shingle Company. By 1938, C.L. and Paul Gilfilen had established Miller-Gilfilen, and around 1939 C.L. partnered with John German to form Miller-German. In 1939 C.L. partnered with Oscar J. Olsen to create the Olsen-Miller Cedar Mill. This company was eventually renamed the Whatcom Cedar Mills Company, once P.K. Knutson was added to the partnership. The Whatcom Cedar Mills Company mill was located on Dakota Creek, near Blaine, WA.

C. L. married Johanna Miller around 1919, and together they had a son, Clarence Miller. In 1950, Clarence Miller joined his father in the shingle business, and became a partner in Miller and Sons.

From the guide to the Miller and Sons Records, 1918-1971, (Western Washington University Heritage Resources)