Owen A. Miller, a pioneer slate operator, merchant, and businessman of Lehigh County, was born at Saegersville, 2/12/1837, son of Peter and Magdalena (Saeger) Miller. At an early age he assisted his father on his farm and in the store. After the Civil War he became on of the most extensive merchants in the county. During the Centennial (1876) he sold more butter in Philadelphia than any other one dealer in the state. Being a man of original ideas, he was the first person to use or suggest the use of the refrigerator cars, and he invented a process of drying refrigerator cars.

He and family were adherents of the Reformed church at Heidelberg. In 1901 he removed to Germantown. Pa., where the family connected themselves with the Wakefield Presbyterian Church. On 12/20/1857, he was married to Mary A. Moser, daughter of William Moser of Steinsville. They had two children: Clara, and Mamie Miller. Clara married James H. Chillman of Philadelphia, and they have a son, James H. Mamie married Samuel R. Gray, of Philadelphia, an artist of distinction.