People: Lebbeus B. Miller

While the doctors and nurses who cared for the people of Elizabeth were often seen as the face of care and compassion, there were a number of businessmen who also felt the calling to do what they could to further the efforts to provide care for Elizabeth’s residence.

Lebbeus Baldwin Miller was one of the key people who, in his actions and deeds, literally helped make a tremendous difference that helped countless thousands of people in their time of need.

One of the top executives at the Singer Sewing Machine Company, Mr. Miller was one of the leaders of a group of business executives who helped form Elizabeth’s first hospital by purchasing a home on Jaques St. and converting it for use as a hospital. Then, recognizing the need to expand to meet the community’s needs, Mr. Miller and others, notably the shipbuilder Calvin B. Orcutt, purchased properties in the area of E. Jersey St. and Reid St. that enabled the newly created Elizabeth General Hospital and Dispensary to begin to build a new complex that opened in 1894.

Ultimately, enough properties were secured to build the aforementioned hospital (including the Blake Memorial Hospital for Women). Over the years, this complex was torn down and rebuilt in the 1920’s and additional wings were added as the hospital morphed into Elizabeth General Hospital, and later, Elizabeth General Medical Center.

In 1879, Lebbeus B. Miller was elected the first president of the Elizabeth General Hospital and Dispensary’s Board of Managers and was a member of that body from 1879-1902. He was re-elected president in 1890, 1893 and 1902. During this initial period of formation and operation, Mr. Miller was perhaps the most influential person who helped bring to life the vision and values that propelled the mission everyone was dedicated to fulfilling.

His son David was a physician from the early days of the "Free Dispensary" and the hospital’s Jaques St. facility, but died at a young age shortly after the new hospital complex opened on E. Jersey St. and Reid St.

Mr. Miller was a fascinating and creative person who not only was one of the top Singer executives; he was also credited with several inventions and was deeply involved in his church and its activities in the community.

Lebbeus B. Miller passed away at age 89 on July 23, 1923 while receiving care at a health resort in Goshen, NY. He is buried in Evergreen Cemetary in Hillside, NJ.

This information was last reviewed or updated on March 25, 2026. Adjustments may be made to this page as new information is added, making this a continual work in progress