Julius Miller House

Julius Miller House
Circa 1895 ~ Queen Anne
Oculus window     

Julius C. Miller (1859-1923) & Ida Jane Miller Miller(1864-1950)

                                                     

Mr. Miller was born in Hartford Connecticut April 6, 1858 of German parentage. He moved with his parents to Missouri in 1860 living the St. Louis, Versailles, Greenfield and Lamar.

In 1873 he worked at the Barton County Democrat newspaper in Lamar and the Vernon County Democrat newspaper in Nevada as an apprentice.

September 2, 1876 Mr. Miller came to Joplin, where he worked in various capacities at the Joplin Daily News until 1883 at which time he was appointed deputy sheriff of Jasper County, Missouri serving in that capacity for five years.

Queen Anne
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In 1885 he married Ida J. Miller, daughter of Matthew Miller, one of Joplin’s oldest and most respected citizens. At the printing of this city directory, he was residing with his father-in-law and other family members at 637 Sergeant.

In 1888, Mr. Miller was elected Sheriff of Jasper County on the Republican ticket. While serving as sheriff, he resided in Carthage but upon expiration of his term he returns to Joplin to a house at 528 Sergeant where he resided with his wife, Ida.

Upon his return to Joplin he engaged in the wholesale flour and feed business under the firm name of Miller Flour & Feed located at 801 Main Street.

William Henry Picher House

William Henry Picher (1851-1924) was married to Susan Brummel Jones Picher (1851-1904).
The Picher name has long been associated with Joplin’s lead and zinc mining history. In 1875,
William and his brother, Judge Oliver Hazard Picher organized the Picher Lead and Zinc Co. and later they merged with Eagle Paint Co. of Cincinnati, Ohio to become the Eagle-Picher Lead Co., one of the largest lead smelting concerns in the world. The City of Picher, Oklahoma was named after the Picher family.

By 1920, Mr. Picher was living at the Olivia Apartments. He bequeathed $500 per year for 20 years to the City of Joplin. The $10,000 ($176,000 in 2023 dollars) was to be “used for caring
for the poor of the city.”

Vintage photo

ARCHITECTURE

The two-and-one-half-story Colonial Revival house has a limestone foundation and hip roof. An enclosed shed roof porch projects from the east elevation. Three gabled dormers rise from the west slope of the roof. The center dormer is larger with a scrolled parapet. A single gabled dormer rises from the north and south slopes of the roof. Two brick chimneys rise from the roof. A wide wood cornice with modillions ornaments the roofline.

Paneled wood columns articulate the corners. A full-width flat roof porch spans the primary (west) elevation and continues north as a porte cochère. It has wood Doric columns and a turned wood balustrade. This elevation has three symmetrical bays. Bay 2 has a wood door with multi-light beveled glazing and a stained glass transom on the first story. A band of two single windows, separated by a medallion pierces the second story.

FREDERICK WILBER-FRANK WEEKS HOUSE

117 North Moffet Avenue
American Foursquare, circa 1906

Frederick (1870-1934) and Fannie Wilbur were the first owners of this house that is
technically located in the Wilson-Hutton residential district, just three doors north of the
Murphysburg Historic District. At one time, Mr. Wilbur was a clerk for a powder
(ammunition) company.

Herma died at the age of 42 in 1931, following an accidental (mercury) chemical poisoning!
When Frank died of a heart ailment in 1938, he was living at the Olivia Apartments (320 S.
Moffet.) It was common for wealthy and prominent Joplin residents to “downsize” by
moving to the prestigious Olivia.

In 1917, a library and second-story master suite were added to the house by owners Frank
and Herma (Letts) Weeks, barely one year before Mr. Weeks registered for the World
War I draft! Mr. Weeks was associated with numerous mines in Missouri and Oklahoma,
and he explored mining in Texas. Associates of Mr. Weeks regarded him as one of the most
successful and progressive mine operators in the district, and leader in developing and
improving the handling of sludge! The Weeks family enjoyed a wealthy lifestyle as
evidenced by their documented trips to Havana, Cuba and Hong Kong, China.

ARCHITECTURE – The Craftsman style wooden front door with sidelights is an exacting
reproduction. The original sidewalk bricks were used in the reconstruction of the front
retaining wall and columns.

Giving Tuesday

GivingTuesday is a global generosity movement on FACEBOOK. It started in 2012 to unleash the power of radical generosity in hopes to transform communities and the world.

November 29, 2022
Goal: $7,500

Funds raised will be used to improve the “Historic Murphysburg” Neighborhood.

7500.00
506
Donate today on Facebook

Donate on our Facebook page from November 15th through 30th to participate in our Giving Tuesday goal!
(Or scroll down to view our membership opportunities. All funds benefit Historic Murphysburg.)

What Improvements?

  • Repairing sidewalks 
  • Installing alley lighting to deter criminal element
  • Replacing signage as needed
  • Hosting holiday and community events
  • Improving community communication, resources, website, and other board approved efforts.

How can I give?

  • Volunteer to host a fundraiser on your Facebook page
  • Donate on the Murphysburg Facebook Page and if you donate day of matching funds could be granted
  • Become a Member and look for our new membership incentives
  • Become a volunteer and promote community betterment