Perry Lester Miles was born in Westerville, Franklin County, Ohio on October 15, 1873. His parents were James Alexander Miles and Mary Esther Longwell Miles. Although Perry attended school in Johnstown during his growing up years, he eventually graduated from a Columbus high school in 1891 and immediately went to West Point. He graduated from the U. S. Military Academy at West Point, Class of 1895. 

On December 28, 1921 Colonel Perry L. Miles married Mary Latta Stott in Washington, D. C. They made their home at Fort Leavenworth, Kansas where the Colonel was serving his country. 

Miles was promoted to brigadier general in 1932. In 1937 Brigadier General Perry L. Miles retired. He had served in the Spanish-American War, the Philippine Resurrection, on the Mexican border and in France. 

In addition, Perry authored The Infantry Soldier and Fallen Leaves: Memories of an Old Soldier.

After his wife's death in 1949, Perry spent his life in Johnstown, Ohio at his home on South Main Street. After his death this home was sold to the United Telephone Company (CenturyLink) that is currently beside the Johnstown Presbyterian Church. 

The Brigadier General died on October 17, 1961 in Walter Reed Hospital, Washington, D. C. He was buried in the family mausoleum at Arlington National Cemetery. He was one of the oldest living graduates of West Point. 

Read more about Perry's service to his country at: http://www.arlingtoncemetery.net/perryles.htm

(The above via the Johnstown Historical Society)

In addition, and in order to satisfy one of the Brigadier General's final requests, a museum in his honor has been established within Johnstown Intermediate School.