W. H. Miller Biography


	This biography is from "Memorial and biographical record; an illustrated
 	compendium of biography, containing a compendium of local biography,
	including biographical sketches of prominent old settlers and 
	representative citizens of South Dakota..." Published by G. A. Ogle & 
	Co., Chicago, 1899. Pages 1005-1006

	Scan, OCR and editing by Maurice Krueger,mkrueger@iw.net, 1998. 

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W. H. MILLER. Many centuries ago the Psalmist gave utterance to the 
proverb "a good name is rather to be chosen than great riches," and the 
truth of this has been verified through the ages that have rolled their 
course since his day. Keen business ability may enable one to achieve 
financial success, marked intellectuality may win fame and renown, but 
the man whose influence is strongest, and whose example will inspire 
others through generations to come is he whose course has ever been 
upright, honorable and true. Such a man was William H. Miller, who left 
the impress of his individuality upon the business, political, social 
and moral life of Hand county and whose death was a matter of the 
deepest regret throughout the entire community. 

Born in Cedar county, Iowa, August 20, 1857, he was the fourth son of 
Henry Miller, whose sketch appears elsewhere in this volume. When a lad 
of seven summers he accompanied his parents on their removal to Wilton 
Junction, Iowa, where he attended school, completing his education in 
the Blairstown Academy under the instruction of Professor H. W. Hahn. 
He remained there for three years and then entered the State 
University, at Iowa City, where he graduated in the classical and 
subsequently in the law department before he had attained the age of 
nineteen years. 

Later admitted to the bar, he opened an office in Blairstown, and in 
1878 removed to Shackelford county, Texas. In Albany, the county seat, 
he engaged in the practice of law and in the real estate business, but 
after two years his health failed and he returned to Iowa. The 
following year he located in Audubon, Iowa, where for a time he 
practiced law in connection with a Mr. Funk, and then became interested 
in the furniture business in connection with his brother, E. J. Miller. 
They successfully conducted that enterprise until 1881, when they came 
to Hand county. Here, in connection with his father, Henry Miller, and: 
his brothers, E. J. and J. D. Miller, our subject assisted in laying 
out the town. named in honor of the family and established the first 
postoffice. He served as. postmaster for a number of years and erected 
the building in which the postoffice is now located. He founded and 
edited the "Hand County Press," the first newspaper published in the 
county, and later became interested in the town site company. 
Subsequently he engaged in journalistic work until selling the paper 
and plant to Dr. Sweetland, who edited and controlled the "Weekly 
Miller Gazette" for a number of years. On leaving the journalistic 
field, William H. Miller engaged in general merchandising in connection 
with his brother, E. J., and was devoting his energies to that 
enterprise at the time of his death, which occurred February 10, 1892. 
In his business dealings he was prompt, methodical and energetic, 
possessed sagacity and diligence, and in all trade transactions was 
straightforward and honorable, thus winning the confidence and respect 
of all with whom he came in contact. 

Mr. Miller was married May 21, 1884, to Miss Mary Viola Barber, and 
they became parents of three sons. At the age of fourteen he was 
converted and was ever active in Christian work, following closely the: 
teachings of the lowly Nazarene. He was also a prominent member of the 
Odd Fellows society and in that connection was. known throughout the 
state. He took a deep interest in local and state politics, and in 
early life was independent in politics, but afterward became a 
Populist. He held a number of city offices, including those of -trustee 
and member of the school board. He took a deep interest in everything 
pertaining to the welfare of his town and county and withheld his 
support from no measure which he believed would prove of public 
benefit. At the early age of thirty-five years he was called to his 
final rest and no funeral in the county has been more largely attended, 
a great concourse of people gathering to pay their last tribute of 
esteem and affection to one whom they ever honored for his true worth 
of character. 

"His life was noble,
And the elements so mixed in him
That nature might stand up and say
To all the world, "This was a man."