Sol “Scholem Melamed” MILLER – Arrived in 1912 at the Port of Quebec, Canada.   He married Ida who was born in New York per the 1930 census.   Sol owned a number of haberdashery stores in Chicago.  Sol arrived in America at age 15, as listed on the ship manifest, with his occupation listed as cap maker. He used his trade well, eventually opening about 7 Haberdashery (Hat and Tie) stores in Chicago until selling them about 1942-3.

His wife, Ida, was a woman before her time. Her daughter Gloria would say that she could quickly calculate figures, and “wheel and deal” with the vendors that they used for their haberdashery (hats) store. Unfortunately, the men did not want to deal with a woman, so when she talked to the Vendors, she would say that the owner was not in at that time, and that they would have to wait for an answer . . . .  then when she talked to them again, she would give them ‘his’ answer which of course was hers.   She never let on that she ran the business while Sol ran the production side. The 1930 census listed Sol’s occupation: Manufacturer hat maker.

Gloria: When my daughter was born, I gave her Ida’s Hebrew name in Ida’s honor.