PA Photos and Documents
Meyersdale Public Library – Springs Historical Society – Miller Machine
Subjects: Business and Industry
Institutions: Meyersdale Public Library
Time Periods: 1878-1900 Industrial Revolution, 1901-1928 Progressive Era, 1929-1945 Great Depression and World War II, 1946-1991 Cold War
Gideon D. Miller (1862-1941), a Mennonite minister, shifted from his family’s woodworking traditions to metal. He started with his patented steam traction engines shipped across the US and Mexico for the 20th Century Mfg. Co. With his refusal to let the US Government use his designs for the military and increasing use of gasoline over steam, he shifted to items such as coal cars, animal feeders, and maple sugaring tools and equipment. With his sons Dwight and Myron, G. D. began Miller Machine Works in Springs in 1917. Several collections encompass original blueprints, photographs, advertising, and artifacts.