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Miller, Hugh Norman "Hughie" Jr.
Plot: 4-4-2N

      
b. 1887-Jun-25, East Luther, Dufferin County, Ontario, Canada
d. 1969-Jan-12, Medicine Hat, AB

Grave Markers: Vertical stone
Grave Cover: No
Grave Level?: No
Needs Maintenance: Grave needs filling in.

External Links:
     Empress area Cemeteries Tree on Ancestry.ca
     Find a Grave
     Alberta Death Register #001-387
     The Empress Express, April 3, 1914
     The Empress Express, November 8, 1928

Available here 

 Miller, Hugh colorized.jpg
 Miller, Hughie colorized.jpg

Grave Photos 

 4-4-2 Miller, Hugh, Headstone (2025-05-03).jpg
 4-4-2 Miller, Hugh, Whole grave (2025-05-03).jpg
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Father: Hugh Miller Sr. (1847-1912), Find a Grave:196805029
Mother: Mary Watt (1845-1923), Find a Grave:196805047
Siblings:
     Robert Miller (1868-1943), Find a Grave:196763945
     William H. Miller (1870-1943), Find a Grave:178135987
     Mary (Miller) Greenwood (1876-1958), Find a Grave:196897554
     Elizabeth "Lizzie" (Miller) Wallace (1881-1909), Find a Grave:196897707

Summary
1886-Jun-25: Hugh was born to Hugh Miller Sr. & Mary Watt in East Luther, Dufferin, Ontario, Canada.
     Miller, Hugh, Birth Record, 1886-06-25.jpg      From Ancestry.ca
1891-Apr-05: Canada Census with parents & 4 siblings at East Luther, Dufferin, Ontario, Canada.
1901-Apr-16: Canada Census with parents & 1 sister at East Luther, Dufferin, Ontario, Canada.
1906-Apr-14: Homestead Entry for NW-4-33-19-W3, R.M. Winslow No. 319, Saskatchewan, Canada.  2.6 km north of Plenty.  The record says it was patented, but not when.
1911-Jun-01: Canada Census with no family at 4-33-19-W3, R.M. Winslow No. 319, Saskatchewan, Canada.  2.1 km north of Plenty.  Occupation: Farmer.
1911-Oct-10: Purchased Homestead Entry Application for NW-14-24-1-W4, M.D. Acadia #34, Alberta, Canada.  10.8 km north-northwest of Empress.  16.7 km southeast of Acadia Valley.  Also held NE-14-24-1-W4 as a Soldier Grant entry.  He had previously homesteaded NW-4-33-19-W3, for which he received a patent for.
1914-Mar: The Empress Express, April 3, 1914, Page 4
Mr. Hugh Miller had the misfortune to break a line while driving, allowing the team to run away.  When captured one horse was found to be badly cut up by a barbed wire fence.  Mr. Miller escaped with a sprained foot.
     Miller, Hugh, Empress Express, 1914-04-03, Page 4.jpg      External: The Empress Express, April 3, 1914
1916-Jun-01: Canada Census boarding with the family of Bertrum & Marie Ostrum, on 3rd Avenue, Empress, Alberta, Canada.
1917-Mar-15: Homestead Patent Grant for NW-14-24-1-W4.

Military

1918-Jul-09: Drafted into military for World War 1 at 1st Depot Battalion, Alberta Regiment.  Calgary, Alberta, Canada.  Regimental #3214304.
     Miller, Hugh, WW1 Draft paper 1918-07-09.jpg      From Ancestry.ca
1918-Nov-04 to 17: In Isolation Hospital, Sarcee Station (Calgary) with influenza.
1918-Dec-14: Transferred to C.A.M.C.T.D. #13 (Canadian Army Medical Corps Training Depot #13)
1919-Jan-09: Duty at Calgary Military Hospital.
1919-Jan-30 to Apr-24: In Calgary Military Hospital with what was at first assumed to be influenza, but later sort-of diagnosed as "Pyrexia of unknown origin (? Paratyphoid-Beta Fever)." Note: Pyrexia means fever.  "Four Vidal tests were made but all proved negative to the B.Typhosus of this enteric group at least." He had fever, headache, vomiting, frequent perspirations and remained in a weakened condition nearly all through his illness.  Pain in left arm and shoulder.  A medical board recommended that he be discharged on 1919-Apr-17.
1919-Apr-24: Discharged from Calgary Military Hospital.  "Boarded and classed 'E' for discharge."
1919-Apr-30: Discharged from military service by reason of being Medically Unfit.
     Miller, Hugh, Military Discharge Certificate, 1919-04-30.jpg      From Ancestry.ca

1921-Jun-01: Canada Census alone and single at 23-24-1-W4, M.D. Acadia #34, Alberta, Canada.  11.9 km north-northwest of Empress.  16.1 km southeast of Acadia Valley.
1923: The first year Hugh was head operator of the South Saskatchewan Ferry near Empress, Alberta, Canada.
1928-Nov-05: The Empress Express, November 8, 1928, Page 8
     Averts Drowning Fatality
     ---
     The presence of mind of Hugh Miller, ferryman at the South ferry crossing, averted what in a number of cases would have been a sure drowning fatality on Monday evening.  With the scow loaded to capacity with the stock and farm wagons of Frederick Stuber - who with his wife and family were also aboard the scow - Miller was making fast the rear chain of the scow, when the 8 year son of Mr. Stuber must have climbed the rail of the ferry and dropped into the water.
     It was about 6 45 p.m., and was very dark; the moon had not yet appeared.  Rapidly apprehending what had happened, Miller jumped into the ferry boat, took his lantern, and rowed down stream.  Several rods from the scow, he was able to discern, by the light of the lantern, part of coat of the child appear on the surface of the water, and succeeded in getting him into the boat.  The child outside of fright being not a great deal worse for the mishap.
     Undoubtedly, only Mr. Miller's promptitude saved this young life.  It is worth while noting too at this time, that this ferry has a very large number of crossings during the periods it is operating, probably double the quantity of crossing made by ferries east of here in Saskatchewan.  They usually carry two men, while Miller, operates alone, except on extraordinary occasions.  However, it is to his credit that you always find him affable and on the job.
     Miller, Hugh, Empress Express, 1928-11-08, Page 8.jpg      External: The Empress Express, November 8, 1928
1935, 1953: Canada Voters List somewhere between the Red Deer River and the South Saskatchewan River, in Townships 21, 22, or 23, Range 1, West of the 4th Meridian.  Post Office Empress.  Occupation: Ferryman.
1956: The last year Hugh was head operator of the South Saskatchewan Ferry near Empress, Alberta, Canada.
1958, 1962, 1963, 1965: Canada Voters List somewhere between the Red Deer River and the South Saskatchewan River, in Townships 21, 22, or 23, Range 1, West of the 4th Meridian.  Post Office Empress.  Occupation: Gentleman/Retired.
1968: Canada Voters List in the River View Nursing Home in Medicine Hat, Alberta, Canada.
1969-Jan-12: Died in Medicine Hat, Alberta, Canada.  Alberta Death Register #001-387.

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Bruce A. Johnson - Empress, Alberta, Canada.
Last Updated: 2026-May-06       Go to Empress Cemetery page