Bio of MILLER, William J. (b.1861), Hennepin Co., MN
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EXTRACTED FROM: History of Minneapolis, Gateway to the Northwest; 
Chicago-Minneapolis, The S J Clarke Publishing Co, 1923; Edited by: Rev. 
Marion Daniel Shutter, D.D., LL.D.; Volume I - Shutter (Historical); 
volume II - Biographical; volume III - Biographical
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Vol II, pg 437-438
WILLIAM J. MILLER
William J. Miller, president of the Miller Elevator Company, is a member of an
honored pioneer family of Minneapolis and one that has played a most important
part in the development of the grain industry, which has carried the name of
this city to all parts of the world. He was born in Bangor, Wisconsin, October
26, 1861, and when two years of age was brought by his parents, Mr. and Mrs.
Henry Miller, to Minnesota. In 1881 the father came to Minneapolis and he became
one of the pioneer elevator men of the city. He was a member of the firm of
Kellogg, Lang & Miller and following its dissolution he organized the firm of
Strong & Miller, which was interested in a number of mills and elevators,
building up a business of very extensive proportions. Mr. Miller ranked with the
foremost men in the state and his demise occurred in Minneapolis, February 26,
1903.
In the public schools of Winona, Minnesota, William J. Miller acquired his
educa-tion and since 1877 he has been identified with the grain business, to
which he has devoted his life. In 1881, when twenty years of age, he came with
his father to Minneapolis and has since been a resident of this city. From 1881
to 1886 he was superintendent of the Elevator Company owned by Pratt, Porter &
Morton and this firm was later changed to the Empire Elevator Company. Mr.
Miller remained in this position until 1898 and also was superintendent of the
Atlantic Elevator Company. He organized the Miller Elevator Company in 1896,
while still superintendent with the above. Four years later the business was
incorporated under the style of the Miller Elevator Company. Mr. Miller acts as
president, while his brother, Walter G. Miller, is filling the office of vice
president of the company, which owns elevators in North and South Dakota and
Minnesota and is doing a large business. William J. Miller has an expert
knowledge of the grain trade and his influence is one of broadening activity and
strength in the field in which he is operating. He is vice president of the
Rugby Milling Company, the Rugby Elevator Company, the Williston Milling
Company, the Fairview (Mont.) Milling Company and the Jamison Light & Power
Company of Fairview, while he is also serving as vice president of the Jamison
Coal Company of Fairview and a director of the Metropolitan National Bank of
Minneapolis. He readily apprehends the opportunities and difficulties of a
business situation, avoid-ing the latter while utilizing the former, and he is
preeminently a business man whose record is written in terms of success.
In 1882 Mr. Miller was united in marriage to Miss Elizabeth Funke of Reeds
Land-ing, Minnesota, and of their children three are now living: Harry J., who
married Lilian LaRevere; George E., who married Ethel Raine, and has two
children, George E., Jr., and Nellie Irene; and Harriet E., at home. For
forty-one years Mr. Miller has been a resident of Minneapolis and since its
organization he has been a member of the Chamber of Commerce, his labors being a
vital force in the growth, progress and improvement of his city. He is a member
of the Lincoln Club and is identified with all of the Masonic bodies, and Zuhrah
Temple of the Mystic Shrine. He is also con­nected with the Benevolent
Protective Order of Elks and for recreation he turns to hunting, fishing and
motoring. He is a dominant factor in business circles of Minneapolis and in the
fields in which he is operating his initiative spirit and strong personality
have placed him in the vanguard, while his actions have at all times been
characterized by a fidelity of purpose, born of the desire to have every duty
well done.