Bio: James M. Miller, Webster Par., Louisiana
Source:Biographical and Historical Memoirs of Northwest Louisiana
The Southern Publishing Company, Chicago & Nashville, 1890
Submitted by: Gwen Moran-Hernandez
Date: April 2000


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James M. Miller, merchant, Minden, La.  Among the names which have 
acquired prominence on the wings of Minden's prosperity is that of 
the subject of this sketch, who is one of the city's most popular 
and successful business men.  He is a native born resident of Webster Par., Louisiana., his birth occurring in March, 1846, and is a son of John 
Miller and the grandson of Michael Miller, who emigrated from South 
Carolina to Missouri at a very early period.    John Miller was born 
in the Palmetto State, but was reared in Missouri, in which State he 
remained until 1825.  He then emigrated to Webster Par., Louisiana., and 
was there married to Miss Sarah Wilson, a native of the Blue-Grass 
regions of Kentucky.  Mr. Miller opened a large farm here, owned 
numerous slaves before the war, and was one of the representative 
planters.  Here he reared his family, and here his death occurred in 
1858.  His widow survived him many years, her death occurring in 1882.  
James M. Miller, the next to the youngest of nine sons and two 
daughters now living, attained his growth in Webster Par., Louisianaand 
remained on the farm with his mother until his majority.  In the 
spring of 1863 he enlisted in the Fifth Louisiana Cavalry, and served 
until the close of the war, participating in the fights of the Red 
River Expedition besides numerous skirmishes.  After the war he 
returned home.  In youth he had received limited school advantages, 
but he is a man of observation, and has improved this very materially. 
He was married in this parish in December, 1865, to Miss Sally Burnett, 
a native of this parish, where she war reared and educated, and the 
daughter of R. H. Burnett.  The following year Mr. Miller settled on 
a farm near Minden, and engaged in tilling the soil which he continued 
for a number of years.  He was one of the first to enter the Farmers' 
Union, joining the organization in 1885, and serving as secretary for 
some time.  He has always taken an active interest in the business of 
the Union, and on establishing of the Union store in December, 1888, 
Mr. Miller was elected by the lodges to take charge of the business.  
This was established at the present headquarters, and in their large 
store they carry a stock of general merchandise, and are doing a good 
business.  This enterprise was established with a capital stock of 
$6,000, which has been increased to $11,000 paid up stock.  Mr. Miller 
is a thorough business man, and a better manager for the institution 
could not be found.  He is a member and president of the police jury, 
and has held other official positions in the same.  He has never 
aspired for office however.  To Mr. and Mrs. Miller have been born 
five daughters and two sons.  He and wife are members of the Methodist 
Episcopal Church.  His eldest daughter is the wife of J. J. Holmes, 
whose sketch appears in this work