Miller, William Hugh

Louisiana:  Comprising Sketches of Parishes, Towns, Events, Institutions, and Persons, Arranged
in Cyclopedic Form (volume 3), pp. 301-302.  Edited by Alcée Fortier, Lit.D.  Published in 1914,
by Century Historical Association.

Miller, William Hugh, principal Lockport high school, Lockport, Lafourche parish, La.; was born at Woodville, Miss., Nov. 27, 1888; son of J. D. and Martha (Newman) Miller, the former of whom was born in Louisiana and the latter in Mississippi.  The father was a planter.  He served in the Confederate army, Longstreet's division.  Twenty-first Mississippi infantry, from the beginning to the close of the war.  After the surrender he returned home and resumed the supervision of his plantation.  Some years later he removed with his family to Pointe Coupée parish, La., where he now resides.  William Hugh was the youngest of 5 children born to his parents, all of whom are living at this time. 

He was educated at Jefferson college, Convent, La., graduating in 1909 with the degree of A. B.  Sept. 1 of that year he became assistant principal of the Thibodaux high school and instructor in mathematics in that institution, in which capacity he continued until 1911. Being familiar with the French people and their customs, he was in 1911 elected principal of the Lockport high school and assumed the duties of that position in September of the same year.  At that time the school building was a frame structure with only 3 rooms, 3 assistant teachers, and an attendance of about 150 pupils.  Immediately following his installation as principal at Lockport he began advocating the erection of a new school building, and in Jan. 1912, the tax was voted for a new high school building to cost $17,000.  The erection of the building was begun in May, 1912, and the structure and occupied in Jan., 1913.  There are 12 classrooms and an auditorium, besides
ample provision for a commercial department.  Formerly the institution was a grammar school.  It is now a high school, with 9 instructors, including the principal, and an attendance of about 250. The new building is modern in every detail, having steam heat and lighting equipment.  In the arrangement of this building particular care was exerted to give as much light as possible to each room.  The auditorium has a seating capacity of 250. 

July 27, 1910, Prof. Miller was married to Miss Annie Roberta Evans, of Peoria, Ill., a graduate of the Peoria conservatory of music.  They have 2 children,  William H., Jr., and  Annie Roberta.  Prof. Miller is a member of the Louisiana State Teachers association and of the Roman Catholic church.  He is entitled to much credit in connection with voting the tax for the Lockport high school building, and also with the planning and erection of the structure, which is in every way most admirably adapted to the purposes for which it was designed, and will so serve for many years.