My Genealogy Hound

MULLER BROTHERS. This name wherever it is known, and it is well known throughout Cortland County, is a synonym for business enterprise, stability and integrity. The firm conducts a private bank at Truxton, has a general hardware, lumber, harness and wagon business, and is deeply interested in the Bryant Furniture Co. of Truxton. The members of the above wide-awake and progressive firm are Peter D. Muller and Albert C. Mulller. The family is German in its origin. Their grandfather was Cornelius Midler, who was born and spent his entire life in Crefelt, Kingdom of Prussia, Germany, where he was a merchant.

Peter D. Muller, the senior member of the firm of Muller Brothers, was born in Brooklyn, N. Y., June 29, 1848, and is a son of Peter D. and Hannah L. (Carroll) Muller. Peter D. Muller, Sr., was born in Crefelt, Germany, in 1812, and in 1833, when he was twenty-one years of age, he emigrated to the United States, taking up his residence in this country in New York City. He at once engaged in the importation of velvets, satins, silks, cloth, shawls, laces, embroideries, etc., at 33 Broad Street, and continued to follow this business until 1859, when he sold out and removed to Schroon Lake, Essex County, N. Y., where he bought a large tract of land, that is now called the Loch Muller place. In 1860 he passed from this life, leaving a large estate. He had been educated for the Catholic priesthood, but as a business life was more congenial to him than the life of a priest, he quietly left his native country and came to America, with the result that we see above. He afterwards returned to his native country to visit his friends and relations. He married Hannah L. Carroll, who had been brought to the West Indies by her father and one brother, Albert Carroll. They were ship wrecked, and landed in the West Indies, where the father died, and Miss Carroll was brought to Elizabeth City, N. J., by her step-mother. Later they moved to Long Island, where they became residents of Brooklyn, in which city Miss Carroll contracted her marriage with the father of our subjects. They reared a family of four children, namely: Peter D., Jr.; Jennie L., deceased; Albert C.; and Frederick C. of Syracuse, N. Y., who is in the employ of Francis Hendrick & Co. of that city.

Peter D. Muller received his education in the academies of Glens Falls and Sandy Hill. He was then employed in a tannery of Pottersville, N. Y., for three years, after which, in 1866, he removed to Syracuse, and engaged in the grocery business for six years. In 1872 he came to Truxton, Cortland County, and engaged in farming, operating a farm of three hundred acres located three miles east of Truxton village. In January, 1887, Mr. Muller and his brother, Albert C., began to deal in general hardware, lumber, harness and wagons, which business has grown to very large proportions. They also conduct a private bank, and are deeply interested, financially and otherwise, in the Bryant Furniture Co. of Truxton. Peter D. Muller is a director of the National Bank of Cortland. In addition to the farm which he operates, he owns three other farms, which he rents. Persevering, continuous and energetic efforts tell the great secret of Mr. Midler’s success. To describe his personality in a few words, he is a zealous, energetic, public-spirited citizen, true to his purpose in life, independent in action, and actively engaged in business.

Mr. Muller married Mary D. Risley, daughter of Alvah Risley of Truxton, the ceremony taking place in 1871, and they are the parents of two children: Alvah R., who married Jennie G. Harrington of Syracuse, and is a member of the firm of Muller Bros.; and Jennie L., who remains at home. Mr. Muller in his politics has always adhered stanchly to Democracy and its principles; he has served as supervisor of the town, but with the exception of this single office his acquaintance with practical politics has been slight, for his manifold business duties claim his whole attention. He is a member of the Truxton Lodge, No. 342, A. O. U. W.

Albert C. Muller holds a high rank among the successful and enterprising business men of the town of Truxton. He was born in Washington Hotel, New York, December 27, 1852. He received a liberal education in the public schools of Syracuse, and at the age of fourteen years left school and engaged in the grocery business with his brother, with whom he remained two years. He then entered the store of J. W. Yale & Co., dealers in wall paper and pictures, and continued in their employ for ten years. He then, in company with his younger brother, Frederick C. Muller, conducted a picture frame business on their own account at No. 64 South Salina St., Syracuse, for seven years, under the firm name of Muller Bros. Albert C. Muller then moved to Truxton, and in partnership with Peter D. Muller engaged in a mercantile business. Mr. Midler is a public-spirited man, and always lends his aid and influence in the advancement of measures, which he believes will be conducive to the general good. He is a man of wonderful resources, great executive ability and untiring energy.

Albert C. Muller chose as his life companion Miss Sarah Spencer, and they were happily joined in the bonds of matrimony, September 28, 1881. She is a daughter of William Spencer of Syracuse, N. Y. To Mr. and Mrs. Muller there were born three children: William P.; Irene S.; and A. Carroll. Politically, Mr. Muller is an avowed Democrat. He is a member of the Truxton Lodge, No. 342, A. O. U. W.