Milton Erwin Giles
Founder and owner of Giles Seed Co.
Notes:
• Son of Milton C. Giles (1893 - 1957) and Susie Mae Erwin Giles (1895 - 1977). - Find A Grave
• Married Ruth Blair Collier December 23, 1943 in Madison County, Alabama. She was born June 13, 1920 and died Dec. 27, 1974. She was the daughter of Ernest Collier (1889 - 1964) and Sarah Elizabeth Blair Collier (1888 - 1966). - Find A Grave
• Posted in Huntsville Times, November 27, 2006
"Life Stories - Milton Giles was 'born in the mist of Big Spring'
Milton Giles could tell you the history of just about any place in Madison County, delve into the hot issues in local politics and explain how to pan-cook a steak so tender it would melt in your mouth.
Before retiring and moving to Grant, Giles served as a city planner for Huntsville, overseeing the development of Interstate 565, Research Park and the downtown medical district. He also directed 911 services for Madison and Marshall counties, sometimes working 60-hour weeks without pay.
Giles died Nov. 20 after years of declining health. He was 89.
He always told his family he was born in an apartment in the Civil War-era bank building on the southwest corner of the square in downtown Huntsville. Son Mike Giles of Grant remembers his dad claiming that on a hot day he could feel drops from Big Spring through the open window.
'I don't think there's anybody else can say they were born in the mist of Big Spring,' Mike said.
Milton Giles spent much of his youth in the Florence area, where his father owned a few small newspapers. After finishing high school there and working odd jobs, Giles spent the World War II years serving with the state engineering department and building bridges around North Alabama.
He also met Ruth Collier, who he married on Christmas Eve, 1945. They went on to have two sons - Mike and Kirk Giles, a 30-year veteran of the Huntsville Police Department - and five grandchildren.
Milton Giles attended Alabama Polytechnic Institute - now known as Auburn University - where he earned a degree in engineering.
In the early 1960s, he saw the need for a garden shop in growing Huntsville and opened Giles Home and Garden Center. Mike Giles worked in the store as a child and said his father was a courteous boss who didn't discriminate against high school kids, women or minorities when hiring.
'He didn't judge anyone,' Mike said. 'He always saw what was inside people.'
And he worked hard just like his employees. Mike recalled his father effortlessly tossing heavy bags of fertilizer over his shoulders, marching his 6-foot, 6-inch frame in and out of the store.
Giles sold the garden center in the early 1980s. He had been serving on the Huntsville Planning Commission and later directed the Madison County 911 services and, at age 78, Marshall County's.
Working on the boards was stressful and, under advice from his doctor, he retired several years ago. Retirement meant Giles' family could more often sample his kitchen skills. Mike said replicating his father's skillet-cooked steak and desserts is nearly impossible.
Milton Giles was a charter member of New Life United Methodist Church in Grant and attended First Methodist Church in Huntsville. Mike said his father was a 'good Christian man' who loved his friends, his family and serving the community and state.
Huntsville Mayor Loretta Spencer called Giles 'an outstanding leader in the development of the city.'
'I was privileged to serve on the Planning Commission with him when we formed the Medical District which is such an asset to our city today,' she said in a statement. 'He had the respect of the people when he served as chairman of the Planning Commission and from others that he came in contact with for being fair and unbiased in his decisions.'" - Find A Grave
• GILES SEED CO.
"M. E. Giles, founder and present owner of the Giles Seed Co., says that his hobby is work!
Thus this store owner has really made his 'hobby' pay off by the continued success of his business, the Giles Seed Co. located at 222 N. Jefferson St. Milton Giles, who was born on February 18, 1917, here in Huntsville, was educated at the Alabama Polytechnic Institute in Auburn.
Although an engineer by profession, Milton Giles has always been interested in agriculture. So on November 1, 1950, he started the Giles Seed Company.
He handles supplies, seed and fertilizer for farms, veterinary supplies, and seed and supplies for lawns and gardens as well as livestock.
His wife, Ruth C. Giles, is employed at the Madison County Welfare Department. They have one son, Milton Collier Giles, age 3. Milton is a member of the Optimist Club, 'Friend of the Boy.'
He lists his business policies 'to render service and sell quality.' Since he has always wanted a farm and started a seed company as the next thing to it. His ambition is to someday own a farm and get all his supplies from the Giles Seed Company!" - Taylor
• "Milton Giles managed a seed and feed business on Jefferson Street for many years. He opened Huntsville's first real garden center about 1957. Until then, retail sales were made by come-and-go sales yards, small divisions of the growers, or peddlers who traveled door-to-door. The Giles property became part of the Huntsville Hospital complex when the business closed in 1981. Giles Garden Center was followed by Lloyd's Garden Center, operated by Clem Lloyd on University Drive." - Byers
• Posted in Huntsville Times November 21, 2006: "Mr. Giles was the former owner of Giles Home and Garden Center. He served on the Huntsville City Planning Commission for 20 years, including a term as chairman, where he helped shape the Medical District. He also served on the Marshall and Madison County 911 Board.
He is survived by his sons, Milton C. 'Mike' Giles of Grant and Kirk Giles of Gurley; five grandchildren, Dori Giles, Michael Giles, Dustin Bragg, Jennifer Giles, and Caleb Giles.
Visitation will be held from 5 to 7 p.m. today at Valhalla Funeral Home. Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. Wednesday at New Life United Methodist Church in Grant, with Pastor Phil Howell officiating. Interment will be in Valhalla Memory Gardens." - Find A Grave
• Beautification Board 1965-1968 - Record II
Related Links:
The Following Pages Link to this Page:
• Byers
• Milton Columbus Giles
• Record II
• Taylor
| Nickname: | Biggie |
| Born: | February 18, 1917, Huntsville, Alabama |
| Died: | November 20, 2006 |
| Buried: | Valhalla Memory Gardens, Huntsville, Alabama |
| Son of: | Milton Columbus Giles |
Notes:
• Son of Milton C. Giles (1893 - 1957) and Susie Mae Erwin Giles (1895 - 1977). - Find A Grave
• Married Ruth Blair Collier December 23, 1943 in Madison County, Alabama. She was born June 13, 1920 and died Dec. 27, 1974. She was the daughter of Ernest Collier (1889 - 1964) and Sarah Elizabeth Blair Collier (1888 - 1966). - Find A Grave
• Posted in Huntsville Times, November 27, 2006
"Life Stories - Milton Giles was 'born in the mist of Big Spring'
Milton Giles could tell you the history of just about any place in Madison County, delve into the hot issues in local politics and explain how to pan-cook a steak so tender it would melt in your mouth.
Before retiring and moving to Grant, Giles served as a city planner for Huntsville, overseeing the development of Interstate 565, Research Park and the downtown medical district. He also directed 911 services for Madison and Marshall counties, sometimes working 60-hour weeks without pay.
Giles died Nov. 20 after years of declining health. He was 89.
He always told his family he was born in an apartment in the Civil War-era bank building on the southwest corner of the square in downtown Huntsville. Son Mike Giles of Grant remembers his dad claiming that on a hot day he could feel drops from Big Spring through the open window.
'I don't think there's anybody else can say they were born in the mist of Big Spring,' Mike said.
Milton Giles spent much of his youth in the Florence area, where his father owned a few small newspapers. After finishing high school there and working odd jobs, Giles spent the World War II years serving with the state engineering department and building bridges around North Alabama.
He also met Ruth Collier, who he married on Christmas Eve, 1945. They went on to have two sons - Mike and Kirk Giles, a 30-year veteran of the Huntsville Police Department - and five grandchildren.
Milton Giles attended Alabama Polytechnic Institute - now known as Auburn University - where he earned a degree in engineering.
In the early 1960s, he saw the need for a garden shop in growing Huntsville and opened Giles Home and Garden Center. Mike Giles worked in the store as a child and said his father was a courteous boss who didn't discriminate against high school kids, women or minorities when hiring.
'He didn't judge anyone,' Mike said. 'He always saw what was inside people.'
And he worked hard just like his employees. Mike recalled his father effortlessly tossing heavy bags of fertilizer over his shoulders, marching his 6-foot, 6-inch frame in and out of the store.
Giles sold the garden center in the early 1980s. He had been serving on the Huntsville Planning Commission and later directed the Madison County 911 services and, at age 78, Marshall County's.
Working on the boards was stressful and, under advice from his doctor, he retired several years ago. Retirement meant Giles' family could more often sample his kitchen skills. Mike said replicating his father's skillet-cooked steak and desserts is nearly impossible.
Milton Giles was a charter member of New Life United Methodist Church in Grant and attended First Methodist Church in Huntsville. Mike said his father was a 'good Christian man' who loved his friends, his family and serving the community and state.
Huntsville Mayor Loretta Spencer called Giles 'an outstanding leader in the development of the city.'
'I was privileged to serve on the Planning Commission with him when we formed the Medical District which is such an asset to our city today,' she said in a statement. 'He had the respect of the people when he served as chairman of the Planning Commission and from others that he came in contact with for being fair and unbiased in his decisions.'" - Find A Grave
• GILES SEED CO.
"M. E. Giles, founder and present owner of the Giles Seed Co., says that his hobby is work!
Thus this store owner has really made his 'hobby' pay off by the continued success of his business, the Giles Seed Co. located at 222 N. Jefferson St. Milton Giles, who was born on February 18, 1917, here in Huntsville, was educated at the Alabama Polytechnic Institute in Auburn.
Although an engineer by profession, Milton Giles has always been interested in agriculture. So on November 1, 1950, he started the Giles Seed Company.
He handles supplies, seed and fertilizer for farms, veterinary supplies, and seed and supplies for lawns and gardens as well as livestock.
His wife, Ruth C. Giles, is employed at the Madison County Welfare Department. They have one son, Milton Collier Giles, age 3. Milton is a member of the Optimist Club, 'Friend of the Boy.'
He lists his business policies 'to render service and sell quality.' Since he has always wanted a farm and started a seed company as the next thing to it. His ambition is to someday own a farm and get all his supplies from the Giles Seed Company!" - Taylor
• "Milton Giles managed a seed and feed business on Jefferson Street for many years. He opened Huntsville's first real garden center about 1957. Until then, retail sales were made by come-and-go sales yards, small divisions of the growers, or peddlers who traveled door-to-door. The Giles property became part of the Huntsville Hospital complex when the business closed in 1981. Giles Garden Center was followed by Lloyd's Garden Center, operated by Clem Lloyd on University Drive." - Byers
• Posted in Huntsville Times November 21, 2006: "Mr. Giles was the former owner of Giles Home and Garden Center. He served on the Huntsville City Planning Commission for 20 years, including a term as chairman, where he helped shape the Medical District. He also served on the Marshall and Madison County 911 Board.
He is survived by his sons, Milton C. 'Mike' Giles of Grant and Kirk Giles of Gurley; five grandchildren, Dori Giles, Michael Giles, Dustin Bragg, Jennifer Giles, and Caleb Giles.
Visitation will be held from 5 to 7 p.m. today at Valhalla Funeral Home. Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. Wednesday at New Life United Methodist Church in Grant, with Pastor Phil Howell officiating. Interment will be in Valhalla Memory Gardens." - Find A Grave
• Beautification Board 1965-1968 - Record II
Related Links:
• Byers - Article titled "The Evolution of Nurseries in Madison County" by David Byers for the Huntsville Historical Review, Volume 31, #1, Winter-Spring 2006, Huntsville-Madison County Historical Society, page 23.
• Find A Grave - Page created by Susan Bennett.
• MCRC - Madison County Records Center
• Record II - A Dream Come True: The Story of Madison County and Incidentally of Alabama and the United States, Volume II, by James Record, 1978, page 412.
• Taylor - Commemorative Album, Celebrating our City's Sesquicentennial of Progress, Huntsville, Alabama, by James E. Taylor, General Chairman, 1955, page 294.
The Following Pages Link to this Page:
• Byers
• Milton Columbus Giles
• Record II
• Taylor