This is part of a series. It was submitted by Nancy Bertrand.
Today’s “Women in Women” profile spotlights Ida Louise Farr Miller. Born in Littleton, NH in 1863, Ida Louise counted among her ancestors two different presidents of Harvard College. Since her father was a NH Congressman, she spent part of her childhood in Washington DC and received an excellent education, including having taken courses at the Museum of Fine Arts Boston and Wellesley College.
In 1884, she married Edwin C. Miller, son of the man who had founded the Miller Piano Factory, located in a large and visually commanding factory between Lincoln, Water and Crescent Streets in the center of Wakefield. (Behind the Old Town Hall building, one of a trio of buildings — Town Hall itself, the Wakefield Building and the Piano Factory building — constructed by Cyrus Wakefield himself in the immediate area.)
The Miller Piano Factory had been founded by Henry F. Miller, after several decades working for renowned, contemporary piano manufacturers Brown & Allen in 1850, and the Emerson Piano Company in 1857. As a classically-trained pianist himself, Miller learned how to build pianos for the finely-tuned ear of a musician. After he set up shop in the fine new building in Wakefield, Massachusetts, he partnered with the respected piano craftsman at the time, J.H. Gibson. The company gained a reputation for the artistry of their physical frames and designs, as well as for their rich sound and fine craftsmanship. They were soon endorsed by many professional musicians of the day. They had a line of upright, grand and square pianos and a pedal piano with similarities to an organ.
By the time of Henry F. Miller’s death in 1884, his five sons joined the business and incorporated the company, producing pianos under the name Miller & Sons. The thriving business employed a large number of skillful mechanics as well as musicians, many of whom built themselves beautiful homes, and were highly prized citizens. Although all five sons were involved in the firm’s leadership, the eldest, Edwin C. Miller, was an especially public spirited resident of Wakefield, and much interested in its affairs.
After her marriage to Edwin, Ida Louise had joined her husband in his interest in promoting Wakefield’s charitable and civic activities. She immediately set to work in a variety of worthy causes. According to a biographer, “Although artistic and literary in her tastes, Mrs. Miller is best known as a club woman and possessing tact, graciousness, and executive ability, she has held high offices and is a power wherever associated.”
Her club work included the Daughters of the American Revolution, the Women’s Relief Corps, the Melrose Women’s Club. She was also a committee chairman of the Women’s Industrial and Educational Union and president of the charitable Kosmos Club in Wakefield. Most significantly, she was also one of the founding members of the Society for the Protection of New England Antiquities (today named Historic New England.)
The Miller family had two children and lived at 20 Lawrence Street in Wakefield.
“Women in Wakefield” is a feature of the Wakefield Historical Society. During “Women’s History Month” in March, a different woman is profiled every day, allowing a view of the history of the town, as well as a view of an interesting and important local citizen. All profiles are shared on the Historical Society’s social media pages as well as in the blog of wakefieldhistory.org. Many are shared courtesy of the Wakefield Daily Item.