An American Family History

Robert Wilson Miller, Jr. and May Violet Treahy were married on November 23, 1914 on the eve of World War I in San Diego, California. He was 35 and she was 28. He was a ship carpenter and she was a young widow.

Bob and May lived at 2786 Newton Avenue in San Diego. Their daughter, Hester Victoria Miller was born in San Diego on Sunday, March 5, 1916.

Bob's job took him to to Puyallup, Washington and Robert W. was born there on Tuesday December 10, 1918. Bob's family lived nearby in Seattle. He was born at the time of the flu epidemic and May recounted bodies left the in the street because there was no one to bury them.

The family moved to San Pedro in 1919 and bought a house at 664 23rd Street. When they moved to San Pedro, it was already a major port and Dead Man’s Island was removed shortly after they arrived.

They experienced several disasters. In 1923 the General Petroleum Company’s tank caught fire and burned for more than three weeks. It was located near the Miller home. In 1929, the easternmost part of Point Fermin collapsed and friends of the family lost their homes. On March 10, 1933 at about 6:00 p.m. they experienced a large earthquake centered in the Long Beach area. The family was eating supper when it happened and Robert, Jr. remembered seeing an old touring car across the street bouncing up at least a foot off the street. 

The family  took several vacations to Ocean Beach  near San Diego. They went on a boat, packed large trunks, and stayed in a beach cottage near an amusement zone. Robert Jr. remembered winning lots of candy at a game where you competed to blow up balloons faster than other patrons.

Robert, Jr. and Hester attended the Baptist Church. They both attended  Point Fermin Elementary School, Dana Junior High School, and San Pedro High School. Robert, Jr. took violin lessons.

Their home was on a steep hill and the kids enjoyed building soapbox cars and riding down the hill. They roamed freely around San Pedro.

While Hester and Robert were young there was a miniature golf fad in San Pedro and they loved to play. The family also enjoyed going to the movies where they had contests, cartoons and newsreels. They all loved animals, especially cats. Their cats were treated as part of the family.

Letters written by Bob, May and Robert to Hester when she was at camp show a glimpse of family life.

After the United States entered the Second World War, San Pedrans feared enemy attacks and blackout regulations were enforced. Robert worked at North American Aviation building planes. He told stories of hair-raising drives home from the aircraft plant at night with no car or street lights. During the war, they dealt with shortages and ration coupons. Hester was a member of the United States Citizens Defense Corps, was a USO Hostess and the VACS.

Shortly after World War II, Robert married Virginia Smith and they made their home on 23rd Street with May. Hester lived in Manhattan Beach until she moved to France in the mid 1950’s. May died on in March 7, 1953.