Born Michealangelo Mierolo in Gibson, N.Y., Michael Miller was the son of immigrants from Futani, Salerno, Italy. At age 21 he traveled to Futani and studied at a seminary for a time. It is said that he joined Gabriele D'Annunzio in the occupation of Fiuri. He returned to the United States, graduated from high school in 1934, and worked for Ingersoll Rand. During World War II he served in the United States Army in Italy. Active in civic affairs, Miller founded a Boy Scout Troop in 1934 and became a city official in Corning, N.Y. He was an active member of OSIA Marconi Lodge No. 154; he served as venerable and initiated a program in 1955 whereby the Marconi Lodge regularly gives books either on Italy or written by Italian Americans to the local library.
Papers (1924-1983) of Michael Miller consist of state and local materials pertaining to the Order Sons of Italy in America, and personal papers of Miller. OSIA materials include a New York convention booklet, and correspondence, a history, clippings, library book program, and Italian Earthquake fund drive information of the OSIA Marconi Lodge No. 254.
Personal papers of Miller consist of correspondence, manuscripts, a notebook and diary kept during his Italian sojourn; an Urban Renewal program from Corning, N.Y.; a local history of Corning, N.Y.; correspondence and clippings of Boy Scout Troop 60, and newsletters and correspondence of the American Italian Historical Association. Miller's manuscripts and writings include "The Goatherd of Pelia," "The Madonnina of the Appian Way," "History of Boy Scouts Troop 60," and writings on Italy, Italian emigration, character, customs, and children.
Inventory available.
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