Former Historian Has Spent Her Entire Life in Portville
Jane Greenman Miller graduated from Portville in 1933. Since then, Jane has served the town and school
in many realms, which she continues to perform into the New Millennium.
As a young woman growing up in the village, Jane became active with the United Methodist Church. Through
the years, she has sang on the choir, played piano, taught Sunday school, and has been a member of United Methodist
Women for quite some time. During high school, she played tennis and basketball and was a member of the Glee Club.
Jane was the town historian for for 22 years, starting in 1977 and retiring in 2000. She has also
been active with the Portville Historical and Preservation Society and the Friends of the Portville Library. In April
2000, Jane was honored by these groups. She was a past regent of the Daughters of the American Revolution.
For 25 years, Jane worked for the Carl Holcomb Insurance Agency and got to know just about everyone in town.
She has lived her entire life in Portville, an advantage for a historian who continues to help at the Portville Free Library
every week.
She has been active in numerous organizations and special events over the past 75 years, was a matron of
the Eastern Star, president of the League of Women Voters, and involved with the Red Cross Blood Bank. Jane has also
been involved with the community's summer recreation program.
Jane has also volunteered at PCS through the years, working with elementary students. She was also
very active in the PTA, even after her children had graduated from Portville. In 1935, she completed a program at Westbrook
Commercial Academy in Olean. In 1960, she completed a special course for an insurance license at St. Bonaventure.
In 1987, Jane was recognized as "Senior Citizen of the Year". She served as secretary of the Portville
Senior Citizens group and coordinated trips for the members. She and her husband Arnold (dec.) settled on Brooklyn
Street, where they raised three girls and where Jane continues to reside.
