WILLIAM WILLOUGHBY MILLER.
Photograph
 

	William Willoughby Miller has been an active factor in the business
life of Biggar since 1910 and he is one of the most substantial and enter-
prising of this town's residents. He was born in Brockville, Ontario, on
the 12th of September, 1880, a son of Willoughby and Isabella (Baker)
Miller. His parents were natives of Ontario and the father engaged in
agricultural pursuits all of his life in Leeds county, in which county he
was born. He was one of the prominent men of the community and died
in March, 1921, after a life of successful achievement, being eighty-five
years of age at the time of his death. His widow survives him and is
making her home in Athens, Ontario.
	Upon attaining school age William Willoughby Miller entered the
public schools of Greenbush, Ontario, and at the age of fourteen years
put his textbooks aside and started out into the world on his own account.
He went to New York and there worked for a brother, in the grocery and
butcher business, for three years, returning to his home at the termina-
tion of that time. He then went to Boston to learn the dye trade but
did not find that line of work to his liking and again came back home
and farmed in Leeds county, Ontario, for six years. In 1910 he came
west, settled in Biggar and bought out the general store here. He was
successful in the conduct of this enterprise from the start and each year
has witnessed a substantial increase in the business.  He enlarged his
store building in 1914 and 1920, has one of the largest and most modern
department stores in the town and district, and carries eighty thousand
dollars worth of stock.  He personally supervises every department of
the enterprise and is quick to see any way in which he can promote the
efficiency of the establishment, his earnest endeavor being always to give
his patrons the best that money can purchase. Some time ago Mr. Miller
also took over the agency for the McLaughlin and Chevrolet cars and
he owns a large garage here. On first coming to Biggar he homesteaded
some land three miles northwest of the town and has since supervised
the cultivation of this land. He is a man of varied and important activi-
ties and well deserves his success, for it is the result of his own intelli-
gently directed efforts, laudable ambition and courage to take advantage
of opportunities when offered.
	On the 27th of June, 1906, Mr. Miller was married to Miss Lillian
Powell of Kemptville, Ontario, a daughter of George and Elizabeth (Mont-
gomery) Powell. The father was. a farmer and came to Biggar in 1913.
He died here on July 8, 1923. His widow still makes her home in Biggar.
Mrs. Miller was educated at Kemptville, North Rideau.  Since coming
here she has become past mistress of L. 0. B. A., member of the grand
lodge of Saskatchewan.  To their union two children have been born:
George W., whose birth occurred in Greeubush, Ontario, on the 2d of
July, 190~; and Lenora E., who was born on the 8th of July, 190~, also
at Greenbush, Ontario.
	Mr. Miller gives his political allegiance to the Conservative party and
served on the local city council in 1912 and 1913. He is now a member
of the school board.  Fraternally he iS identified with the Masons and
is past master of Orange Lodge. Socially he is connected with the Biggar
Golf Club and the Curling Club and he is a shareholder in the Curling and
Skating Club. The religious faith of Mr. Miller is that of the Methodist
church and he is a member of the official board.




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