Representative women of New England/Ida L. F. Miller
IDA LOUISE FARR MILLER is the eldest (laughter of the late Hon. Evarts Worcester Farr, of Littleton, N.H., who died November 30, 1880, while a member of Congress, and his wife, Ellen Burpee Farr, who is now a distinguished artist of Pasadena, Cal.
Mrs. Miller was born in Littleton, N.H., April 26, 1863. She numbers among her ancestors President Willartl of Harvard College; Major Simon Willard, the sturdy pioneer whose name is inscribed on the famous Endicott stone at Weirs, N.H.; and Mrs. Susannah Willard Johnson, of Charlestown, N.H., who was carried away by the Indians in August, 1754, and after her release wrote a graphic narrative of the event, entitled "The Captivity by the Indians and French of James Johnson and Family." Mrs. Miller is also descended from the Howes, Morse, Wetherbee, W'ells, Hastings, Hammond, Fisk, and some others of the first settled families of New England, Revolutionary soldiers being among her progenitors.
Attending school in her native town in her early years, she took high rank in her classes until serious illness interrupted. Her studies were continued at the Convent of Mercy, Manchester, N.H., at the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston, and at Wellesley College, where she gave special attention to courses in art and literature.
On January 30, 1884, Ida Louise Farr married Mr. Edwin Child Miller, of Boston. He is one of the younger sons of Henry F. Miller, the pianoforte maker, and is an alumnus of the English High School, Boston, and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. The home of Mr. an<l Mrs. Miller for some years has been in Wakefield, Mass. They have three children. The eldest, Barbara, born August 30, 1885, was graduated from Quincy Mansion School, Wollaston, June, 1902, and was president of her class and valedictorian. Henry Franklin Miller, 2d, born November, 1887, is a member of the second class, Wakefield High School; and Edith Louise, born October 17, 1901, and made honorary member of the New Hampshire Daughters when three days old, has the distinction of being, so far as known, the youngest club woman in New England.
Residences at Washington during the Congressional career of her father, and in the South as well as in Boston, have given Mrs. Miller social advantages that have made her club work especially valuable. Artistic and literary in her tastes, and possessing tact, graciousness, and executive ability, she has held many club offices and rendered efficient service.
Mrs. Miller is an hereditary life member and vice-president for Massachusetts of the National Mary Washington Memorial Association. She belongs to the Daughters of the American Revolution, having been one of the first members of the society in Massachusetts and a member of the first chapter organized, the Warren and Prescott. She withdrew from this chapter in 1896, and formed the Faneuil Hall Chapter, of Wakefield, being Regent for the first three years, getting it well established and placing it in the front rank in the society. She has served as State historian and as chairman of several important committees, one being that for decorating the room in Paul Revere School in the North End, Boston, and another the "Committee of Co-operation in Patriotic Work" of the United Patriotic Societies. She has been asked to accept the highest offices in the State society, but has been obliged to decline on account of the other work engaged in.
She has been a member of the Melrose Woman's Club since 1887, and has filled many offices, having been president 1894 to 1896. She was founder of New Hampshire's Daughters in 1894, and served as one of the minor officers until elected president, 1900-1902. She was one of the charter members of the Kosmos Club of Wakefield, in 1902 was elected first vice-president, and in May, 1903, was elected presitlent. She was an organizer and president of the Quannapowitt Ladies' Club in Wakefield during its existence as an auxiliary to the gentlemen's club of that name. She was one of the incorporators of the Wakefield Home for Aged Women, is a member of the Wellesley Record Association and of the Woman's Relief Corps of Wakefield. Mrs. Miller was one of the first women admitted to the New England Historic Genealogical Society, and has served on the Committee on Cabinet for some years. She was one of the organizers of the Old Planters' Society, and is a member of the Council,
She is a charter member of the New Hampshire Exchange Club, of Boston, and a member of the Order of the Eastern Star.
She is also a member of the Forestry Association and of the Association of Charities and Corrections in New Hampshire. She has held membership in the Castilian Club, the Horticultural Society of Wakefield, the Granite State Club, and many other organizations. Decidedly an altruist by natute and believing in the power of organizations to accomplish much good in the world, Mrs. Miller is always helpful and encouraging in word and work.