John W. Miller Biography


	This biography appears on pages 438, 441 in "History of Dakota Territory" 
	by George W. Kingsbury, Vol. IV (1915) and was scanned, 
	OCRed and edited by Maurice Krueger, mkrueger@iw.net.

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				JOHN W. MILLER.  

	Business enterprise finds a worthy exponent in John W. Miller, 
the present secretary treasurer of the Moody County Telephone Company. 
He was born in Wisconsin on the 17th of August, 1870, a son of Benedict 
and Elizabeth Miller. He supplemented his public school training by a 
business course and after leaving school took up the occupation of 
farming, which he followed for nine years in Moody county. It was in 
the year 1882 that he arrived in South Dakota, his father and the 
family making their way to this state at that time. The father at once 
secured a tract of land and began farming, remaining in close 
connection with the agricultural development and improvement of the 
state until 1898, when he removed to Flandreau. In 1907, on account of 
ill health, he went to California, where he spent the winter, but 
receiving no relief, he returned to South Dakota and died at the home 
of his son in Egan on the 14th of April, 1908. His widow is still 
living and continues to make her home in Flandreau. 

	In his youthful days John W. Miller was closely associated with 
farm work and on the old homestead he remained until he decided to turn 
his attention to commercial interests and took up his abode in 
Flandreau, where he established and conducted a general mercantile 
store. On the expiration of three years he sold his business and on the 
1st of January, 1905, in connection with his brother, C. B. Miller, he 
purchased the Flandreau & Egan Telephone Exchange. A year later they 
purchased the Colman Exchange and on the 1st January, 1909, the 
business was incorporated. There are today about nine hundred 
subscribers and farm line connections. The telephone system of this 
district is growing into a perfect network of wires, and the value of 
the undertaking is one which can scarcely be overestimated, for the 
telephone practically annihilates time and distance, bringing an 
individual into almost immediate communication with one with whom he 
may have business interests or other important relations. Under the 
guidance of Miller Brothers, the work of the company has been 
thoroughly systematized and it is their object to render the most 
prompt and perfect service possible. To this end various improvements 
have been added and the equipment of the plant is most modern. 

	On the 14th of June. 1898, Mr. Miller was united in marriage to 
Miss Winna B. Drake, a daughter of L. O. Drake, and a native of Moody 
county. Their children are Merle H., Lillian E., J. Lyle and Louis B. 

	In his political views Mr. Miller is independent, supporting men 
and measures rather than party. His religious faith is that of the 
Methodist Episcopal church, and he belongs also to the Ancient Order of 
United Workmen. He owns and occupies an attractive home in Flandreau 
and in addition still owns his farm of two hundred and forty acres, 
from which he derives a substantial annual income. He prefers business 
interests other than agriculture, however, and the success which is now 
attending his efforts indicates that he has made no mistake in choosing 
his present dine of activity.