Philo B. Miles

Philo Buckingham Miles was born in 1849 in Washington, the son of Benjamin and Jane Miles.  The Miles family arrived in Washington in 1843 from Ohio and were very successful and important grain merchants in Washington. The Miles elevator ran for decades at the northern end of Market Street along the railroad.  The location of their elevator now exists as an empty lot next to Threads, Hope, & Love.

Philo attended school in town, including the Washington Seminary during its short existence.  He graduated from college and returned home to Washington, taking his first job as a telegrapher for the young TP&W railroad.

In 1875 Philo and his brother Charles expanded the P.B. & C.C. Miles Company into Peoria where it continued a long run of success into the 1930's.  After the business had taken hold and had proven successful, Miles was elected President of the Peoria Board of Trade.  After this honor was bestowed, the Washington newspaper of the time said: 

When we consider that the boy - now president - started out in the world without a penny and but with little backing, that he, with the assistance of his brother, have redeemed the mortgaged home of a deceased father and mother, and have faithfully and well provided for three sisters and two younger brothers, besides their own families, and not withstanding all these hindrances has worked himself up to his present position, and in so short time, we can't help but admire him and the records he has made.  Washington is proud of her son.

In 1893 Miles was elected Mayor of Peoria, serving a two-year term.  During his short term he was credited for being a motivating force behind the paving of many city roads in Peoria, and he also instituted a ban on saloons being open on Sundays.  He also served terms in Peoria as alderman, school inspector, and president of the school board.  He was also one of the founders of the Peoria Park Board.

One sweet quality of Philo Miles is he liked to give the gift of a tree.  It was said when he died that many trees around Peoria, especially at churches and at the courthouse, were his donations.

Philo Miles died in 1932 at the age of 82, never having retired from the P.B. & C.C. Miles Company. He and his wife Maria (Wrenn) Miles are buried in Springdale Cemetery in Peoria.