Matthew Francis Miller (abt. 1930 - 1966)

Born about 1 Apr 1930 in Pennsylvania, United States

Ancestors

Son of Franz A (Melnarowicz) Miller Sr. and Stanislawa (Melczak) Miller

Descendants

Died 25 Mar 1966 at about age 35 in Cincinnati, Hamilton, Ohio, United States

Problems/Questions Profile manager: Brianna Miller [send private message]

Biography

Genealogically Defined

Matthew Miller is a member of the Melnarowicz Name Study Project.

Matthew Miller served in the United States Army in the Korean War
Service started: 29 June 1949
Unit(s):
Service ended: 17 November 1952

Matthew Miller has Polish Roots.

Matthew Miller was a Pennsylvanian.

Early Life

Matthew Francis Miller was a White male of Polish descent born on 1 April 1930^[1][2] in Pennsylvania^[3] to Franz Melnarowicz^[4][5] and Stanislawa Melczak.^{[6][7][8][9][10][11][12][13][14][15]}

Before 1 August 1936, Matthew was subpoenaed to go in front of Squire David A. Smith for allegations of being "too boisterous and loud," according to complainant John Sudomirski, along with his brothers Edward Stanley, Living Miller, Bernard Paul, John Walter, and Anthony Edward. The boys belonged to what newspaper reports referred to as the "Welsh Street Gang," which also comprised of children Tom and Leo Zaborowski; Stanley and Walter Dudkiewicz; Edward, Frank, and Casmier Kazmierczak; Bill McWilliam; Theodore and Edwin Dedo; and Frank and Louis Cardello. The "gang" would play in an empty house adjoining 34 Welsh Way in Pittsburgh, Allegheny, Pennsylvania late into the night and also engaged in card playing on the street. Allegedly, the boys would "make noise, throw stones, and boo [at the complainant] when [his family] would go in and out of the house." As Matthew was only six years old, he was struck off the record of boys who needed to be summoned to juvenile court.^[16]

In 1935 and 1940, he lived with his parents, his siblings Gertrude A, Joseph Frank, Sylvester Thomas, Anthony, John, Bernard, Living Miller, Edward, Frank Charles Jr., Frank's wife Kyle Pendleton, and his grandfather Wawrzyn Melczak (listed on the census as Lawrence Melczak) on 49 Welsh Road, Pittsburgh, Allegheny, Pennsylvania. His sister, Living Miller, resided in the same household following her birth after 1935. At the time of the census recording, he was enrolled in school having completed third grade in elementary school.^[3]

He attended Saint Wendelin High School at 2720 Custer Avenue, Pittsburgh, Allegheny, Pennsylvania around 1948 and 1949. In 1948, he was president of the junior officers in his grade^[17] and also a guard on the high school's football team.^[18][19] He competed as a guard the in Catholic League Class B season starting around 11 September 1948.^[20] In 1949, he competed in a series of School Science Expert Quizzes broadcasted over KDKA from around 20 March 1949 to 1 May 1949 as a finalist. These quiz session competitions lasted for seven broadcasts total and were held for the potential to be awarded scholarships offered by Carnegie Tech if the competition was won. These broadcasts were sponsored by KDK, the Buhl Planetarium, and the Pittsburgh Press.^[21][22]

From 29 June 1949 to 17 November 1952, Matthew was stationed in Alaska Territory, spending time in Fairbanks, Marshall, and Holy Cross, in the army during the Korean War.^[2][23]

After his military service, Matthew studied business administration at Pennsylvania State University, graduating in 1956. He was a brother in Delta Sigma Pi and Pi Sigma Upsilon and a member of SAM. He also served as the president of the Newman Club for some time, later becoming the chairman of the Middle Atlantic Province of the National Newman Club Federation.^[23][24][25] As the former regional director, he served as the toastmaster for the annual banquet of the Carnegie Institute of Technology Newman Clubs on 20 May 1956.^[26]

Around the time of Matthew's marriage, he worked for the United States Steel Corporation.^[27]

Spouse and Family

Matthew became engaged to Myrna Regina Wintersgill about 4 September 1959^[10][28] and married her^[11][12][29] on 7 May 1960 at St. Norbert's Church in Overbrook, Pittsburgh, Allegheny, Pennsylvania.^[27][5] The couple honeymooned in Quebec, Canada around 19 May, 1960 and lived in Bellevue, Allegheny, Pennsylvania shortly after.^[30]

While Matthew was alive, Myrna gave birth to their children Kimberly Ann on 17 June 1961 and Living Miller.^[11][12] At some point, he moved to Cincinnati, Hamilton, Ohio with his family. Before he died, his wife became pregnant with his third and final child, Living Miller,^[13][23] who was born after Matthew died.^[31]

Death

Matthew died suddenly on 25 March 1966^[32] in Cincinnati, Hamilton, Ohio at the age of 35. No autopsy was performed.^[33] His funeral was held at the Charles C. Cieslak Funeral Home at 81 South 15th St, Pittsburgh, Allegheny, Pennsylvania on 30 March 1966^[11][12] and was buried at Saint Adalbert's Cemetery in Carrick, Allegheny, Pennsylvania.^[34]

Research Notes

Uncertain Birth Date

There are discrepancies between Franz Melnarowicz's petition for naturalization and his death records regarding his date of birth. While the petition for naturalization lists his birth date as December 1929, his death records list his birth date as 1 April 1930.

Letter

Letter from Myrna Trautvetter

July 11, 2007

Dear Living Miller:

I came upon the enclosed slides, your dad took while in college and in the Army.

He was President of the Newman Club (a Catholic club) while he attended Penn State. Some of the pictures were taken on a trip the Newman Club took. Some of the pictures were taken while your dad was stationed in Alaska.

I thought you might enjoy looking at them. I must admit they are old. Note the postage of .06 cents in 1952.

Take care and God Bless.

Love,

Mom

To:

(Name and address withheld for privacy)

From:

Ms. Myrna Trautvetter

(Street address withheld for privacy)

Pittsburgh, PA 15236-2417

Sources

1. ↑ "United States Social Security Death Index," database, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:JR4F-F5S : 8 January 2021), Matthew Miller, Mar 1966; citing U.S. Social Security Administration, Death Master File, database (Alexandria, Virginia: National Technical Information Service, ongoing).
2. ↑ ^{2.0 2.1} "U.S., Department of Veterans Affairs BIRLS Death File, 1850-2010," database, Ancestry.com (Ancestry Record 2441 #584289 : accessed 7 September 2021), search for Matthew Miller, Death Date: 1966; citing "Beneficiary Identification Records Locator Subsystem (BIRLS) Death File. Washington, D.C.: U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs."
3. ↑ ^{3.0 3.1} "United States Census, 1940," database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3QSQ-G9MT-1VDG?cc=2000219&wc=QZX5-V7J%3A790227701%2C790433501%2C795567801%2C795647901 : accessed 17 January 2022), Pennsylvania > Allegheny > Pittsburgh City, Pittsburgh, Ward 17 > 69-498 Pittsburgh City Ward 17 (Tract 17-C - part) > image 13 of 24; citing Sixteenth Census of the United States, 1940, NARA digital publication T627. Records of the Bureau of the Census, 1790 - 2007, RG 29. Washington, D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration, 2012.
4. ↑ "Miller," images, Newspapers.com (https://www.newspapers.com/clip/92872135/obituary-for-frank-a-miller-aged-71/); citing "Pittsburgh Press, The, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, 7 August 1964, page 24."
5. ↑ ^{5.0 5.1} "Wintersgill-Miller," images, Newspapers.com (https://www.newspapers.com/clip/86740212/marriage-of-wintersgill-miller/); citing "Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, 27 May 1960, page 19."
6. ↑ Pennsylvania, U.S., Federal Naturalization Records, 1795-1931 [database on-line]. Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations, Inc., 2011. The National Archives at Philadelphia; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania Search: District Court, Western District, Pennsylvania > Petition Numbers 106101-106400(Film). Accessed on ancestry.com, January 2022. View Image on ancestry.com, (requires subscription).
7. ↑ *"Miller (Melczak)," images, Newspapers.com (https://www.newspapers.com/clip/93092047/obituary-for-milllr-melczak-aged-65/); citing "Pittsburgh Sun-Telegraph, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, 29 April 1959, page 24."
8. ↑ "Miller (Melczak)," images, Newspapers.com (https://www.newspapers.com/clip/95789329/obituary-for-stella-melczak/); citing "Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, 29 April 1959, page 18."
9. ↑ *Miller (Melczak)," images, Newspapers.com (https://www.newspapers.com/clip/93208482/obituary-for-miller-melczak/); citing "Pittsburgh Sun-Telegraph, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, 30 April 1959, page 35."
10. ↑ ^{10.0 10.1} "Beatrice J. Epstine Joins Bride-Elect," images, Newspapers.com (https://www.newspapers.com/clip/95570087/beatrice-j-epstine-joins-brides-elect/); citing "Pittsburgh Sun-Telegraph, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, 6 September 1959, page 29."
11. ↑ ^{11.0 11.1 11.2 11.3} "Miller," images, Newspapers.com (https://www.newspapers.com/clip/19325717/the-pittsburgh-press/); citing "Pittsburgh Press, The, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, 28 March 1966, page 39."
12. ↑ ^{12.0 12.1 12.2 12.3} "Miller," images, Newspapers.com (https://www.newspapers.com/clip/86740143/obituary-for-matthew-f-miller/); citing "Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, 29 March 1966, page 30."
13. ↑ ^{13.0 13.1} Paternal and Maternal relationships are both confirmed by an autosomal AncestryDNA test match between Brianna Miller and T. Miller, their 2nd cousin. Their most-recent common ancestors are Franz Melnarowicz and Stanislawa Melczak, the great grandparents of both Brianna Miller and T. Miller. Predicted relationship from AncestryDNA: 3rd – 4th Cousin, based on sharing 72 cM across 3 segments.
14. ↑ Maternal relationship is confirmed by an autosomal AncestryDNA test match between Brianna Miller and D. Melczak, their 2nd cousin 1x removed. Their most-recent common ancestors are Wawrzyn Melczak and Mariana Pilarski, the great great grandparents of Brianna Miller and great grandparents of D. Melczak. Predicted relationship from AncestryDNA: 2nd – 3rd cousin, based on sharing 162 cM across 5 segments.
15. ↑ Maternal relationship is confirmed by an autosomal AncestryDNA test match between Brianna Miller and R. Melczak, their 1st cousin 2x removed. Their most-recent common ancestors are Wawrzyn Melczak and Maryanna Pilarski, the great great grandparents of Brianna Miller and grandparents of R. Melczak. Predicted relationship from AncestryDNA: 3rd – 4th Cousin, based on sharing 78 cM across 3 segments.
16. ↑ "18 Children Face Squire on Neighbor's Charges," images, Newspapers.com (https://www.newspapers.com/clip/93206512/18-children-face-squire-on-neighbors/); citing "Pittsburgh Sun-Telegraph, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, 1 August 1936, page 3."
17. ↑ "U.S., School Yearbooks, 1900-1999," database, Ancestry.com (Image : accessed 10 October 2021), Matthew Miller; citing "U.S., School Yearbooks, 1880-2012; School Name: Saint Wendelin High School; Year: 1948"; number 43134_b191004-00019, image 20.
18. ↑ "U.S., School Yearbooks, 1900-1999," database, Ancestry.com (Image : accessed 10 October 2021), Matthew Miller; citing "U.S., School Yearbooks, 1880-2012; School Name: Saint Wendelin High School; Year: 1948"; number 43134_b191004-00024, image 25.
19. ↑ Kurtz, Paul, "Aspinwall Host To Springdale In Headliner," images, Newspapers.com (https://www.newspapers.com/clip/93300521/exhibition-opener/); citing "Pittsburgh Press, The, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, 17 September 1949, page 7
20. ↑ Kiseda, George, "WPIAL Announces New Floor Setup," images, Newspapers.com (https://www.newspapers.com/clip/93300187/donora-opens/); citing "Pittsburgh Sun-Telegraph, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, 11 September 1948, page 11."
21. ↑ "Catholic Students Enter Science Quiz Competition: Third Broadcast of Series on KDKA Scheduled for This Afternoon," images, Google Archives (https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=yV8bAAAAIBAJ&sjid=Rk0EAAAAIBAJ&pg=6272%2C1328432 : accessed 8 October 2021), search for 3 April 1949, page 68; citing "Pittsburgh Press, The, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania."
22. ↑ "Junior Scientists Reach Finale," images, Google Archives (https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=zj4bAAAAIBAJ&sjid=P00EAAAAIBAJ&pg=3994%2C687878 : accessed 8 October 2021), search for 1 May 1949, page 68; citing "Pittsburgh Press, The, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania."
23. ↑ ^{23.0 23.1 23.2} Wintersgill, Myrna Regina. Letter to son. 11 July 2007. Currently in possession of A living Miller.
24. ↑ "U.S., School Yearbooks, 1900-1999," database, Ancestry.com (Image : accessed 10 October 2021), Matthew Miller; citing "U.S., School Yearbooks, 1880-2012; School Name: Pennsylvania State University; Year: 1956"; number 40391_b89007-00090, image 91.
25. ↑ "U.S., School Yearbooks, 1900-1999," database, Ancestry.com (Image : accessed 10 October 2021), Matthew Miller; citing "U.S., School Yearbooks, 1880-2012; School Name: Pennsylvania State University; Year: 1956"; number 40391_b89007-00330, image 331.
26. ↑ "Annual Banquet," images, Google Archives (https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=V8tRAAAAIBAJ&sjid=FGwDAAAAIBAJ&pg=4326%2C5687204), search for 17 May 1956, page 17; citing "Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania."
27. ↑ ^{27.0 27.1} "Midtown Montage," images, Google Archives (https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=nNdaAAAAIBAJ&sjid=MmwDAAAAIBAJ&pg=3889%2C8481001); citing "Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, 20 April 1960, page 32."
28. ↑ "Betrothal Announced," images, Newspapers.com (https://www.newspapers.com/clip/75082351/marriage-of-regina-miller/); citing "Pittsburgh Press, The, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, 4 September 1959, page 22."
29. ↑ *"Myrna (Wintersgill) Trautvetter Obituary," text, Legacy.com (https://www.legacy.com/obituaries/postgazette/obituary.aspx?n=myrna-trautvetter-wintersgill&pid=192864517&fhid=28942); citing "Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, 12 May 2019."
30. ↑ "Now," images, Newspapers.com (https://www.newspapers.com/clip/86740010/myrna-wintersgill-matthew-miller/); citing "Pittsburgh Press, The, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, 19 May 1960, page 31."
31. ↑ "Pittsburgh Press Stork Club," images, Newspapers.com (https://www.newspapers.com/clip/95560056/pittsburgh-press-stork-club/); citing "Pittsburgh Press, The, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, 19 September 1960, page 35."
32. ↑ "Previous Deaths," images, Newspapers.com (https://www.newspapers.com/clip/86739351/previous-deaths/); citing "Pittsburgh Press, The, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, 29 March 1966, page 50."
33. ↑ "Ohio Death Index, 1908-1932, 1938-1944, and 1958-2007", database, FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:VKLJ-GYZ : 30 June 2021), Matthew F Miller, 1966.
34. ↑ Find a Grave, database and images (https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/20470594/matthew-f-miller : accessed 11 October 2021), memorial page for Matthew F Miller (1930–1966), Find a Grave Memorial ID 20470594, citing Saint Adalbert's Cemetery, Carrick, Allegheny County, Pennsylvania, USA ; Maintained by Paul Tomasko (contributor 46917268) .

• Paternal and Maternal relationships are both confirmed by an autosomal 23andMe test match between Brianna Miller and M. Miller, their 2nd cousin Their most-recent common ancestors are Franz Melnarowicz and Stanislawa Melczak, the great grandparents of both Brianna Miller and M. Miller. Predicted relationship from 23andMe: 3rd Cousin, based on sharing 118 cM (1.58% DNA shared) across 6 segments.