Glenn Miller

Birth Name: Alton Glenn Miller

Date of Birth: March 1, 1904

Place of Birth: Clarinda, Page, Iowa, United States

Date of Death: December 15, 1944

Place of Death: over the English Channel

Ethnicity: English, German, Irish, Scottish, Welsh

Glenn Miller was an American big band conductor, trombonist, arranger, composer, recording artist, and bandleader in the Swing era. He was the best-selling recording artist from 1939 to 1942, leading one of the best-known swing dance bands, Glenn Miller and his Orchestra. His recordings include “In the Mood” and “Moonlight Serenade.” He was an officer in the U.S. Armed Forces. He went MIA over a flight over the English Channel during WWII.

Glenn was the son of Mattie Lou and Lewis Elmer Miller. He was raised partly in western Nebraska, around North Platte, and in Grant City, Missouri and Fort Morgan, Colorado. He was married to Helen Burger, until his death, with whom he had two children, who were adopted.

Glenn’s paternal grandfather was Robert Franklin/Albert Miller (the son of Samuel Miller and Jane Galer). Robert was born in Granville, Ohio. Samuel was born in Granville, the son of John Hazen Miller and Hannah Stull, or of Isabella Sawhill, who was an Irish immigrant. Jane was born in Licking, Ohio, the daughter of Andrew Galer, Jr., whose parents were German; and of Ruth Allen.

Glenn’s paternal grandmother was Sarah Jane Sanderson (the daughter of James Elliot Sanderson and Zeruah Ann Higley). Sarah was born in Zanesville, Ohio. James was born in Fairfield, Ohio, the son of William Raymond Sanderson and Elizabeth Robinson, who were from Connecticut. Zeruah was born in Rutland, Ohio, the daughter of Brewster Higley V and Achsah Evarts.

Glenn’s maternal grandfather was Jonathan D. Cavender (the son of Bardine Cavender and Nancy Davidson). Jonathan was born in Indiana. Bardine was born in New York, the son of Charles Samuel Cavender, who was Irish, and of Deborah Davis, whose father was born in Wales. Nancy was born in Perry, Indiana, the daughter of Robert Davidson, who was born in St. Andrews, Fife, Scotland; and of Abigail Nin.

Glenn’s maternal grandmother was Pauline Bruner (the daughter of John Thomas Bruner and Nancy Susan Young). Pauline was born Hawesville, Kentucky, and was of German descent. John was born in Hardin, Kentucky, the son George Peter Brunner, whose father was German, and whose mother was also of German descent; and of Anna Maria Achenbach, whose parents were also German. Nancy was born in Breckinridge, Kentucky, the daughter of Martin Young and Mary Margaret Conder, whose parents were German, with roots in Trier, Rhineland-Palatinate.

Sources: Genealogies of Glenn Miller – https://www.familysearch.org
https://www.geni.com