Obituaries of Colonel J. Z. Miller SR -  Bell County, TX

Submitted by Janet Gardner 11/98
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The following obituaries were clipped from Bell County newspapers. They bear
no dates other than what is listed.
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Belton, July 11-Col. J.Z. MILLER Sr., a prominent citizen of Bell County for 
many years, died at his home in this city this morning at 10 O'clock, following 
an illness of several weeks. The deceased would have been 86 years old on August 
23. He was born at Columbia, Ky., on Aug 23, 1834, and came from that state to 
Bastrop county in the early days and came to Bell county when still a young man. 
As long as he was a resident here he was prominent in the affairs of the country. 
On moving to Belton he became connected with the bank of MILLER Bros., bankers 
and in 1884 he organized the Belton National Bank and remained as its president 
until his death.

When the War Between the States broke out Colonel MILLER at once enlisted in the 
service with the Confederate states , attaining the rank of colonel. Following the 
war he returned to Belton, where he continued his residence. Col. J.Z. MILLER was 
one of the most prominent citizens Bell County ever had. He was active in all 
matters that was for the good of the county and for many years led an active fight 
for prohibition. He was equally active in church matters and was for many years one 
of the leaders of the Christian church of this city. During the years from 1895 to 
1900 Colonel MILLER was president of the Texas National Bankers association and held 
other prominent offices in banking circles.

He was the uncle of J.Z. MILLER, Jr., of Kansas City, who is governor of the Federal 
Reserve bank at that place. In addition to this nephew he is survived by a sister, 
Mrs. J.J. BURRISS of Lyonsburg, Ky., a son, Will MILLER of this city, and several 
grand children. Mr. MILLER of Kansas City is expected to reach here tomorrow in time 
for the funeral. The other relatives with the exception of the sister were present 
when death came. The funeral services will be held Monday afternoon at 5 o'clock at 
the family residence. Rev. E.C. BOYNTON of Marshall will have charge of the services 
at the residence. The body will be buried with Masonic honors in north Belton cemetery 
by the side of his wife and daughter.

The following are the pallbearers: honorary-W.W. JAMES, Geo. W. TYLER, A.D. POTTS, 
Peter HAMMERSMITH, Thos. YARRELL Sr., J.C. HARDY, E.G. TOWNSEND, W.P. DENMAN, F.F. 
DOWNS, C.M. CAMPBELL, W.E. HALL, S.M.RAY Sr., B.A. LUDLOW, BROWNWOOD; W.S. HUNTER, 
Wm. GARRISON, John A. DICE, C.B. WADE, E.EMBREE, W.W. UPSHAW, J.F. ELLIOTT, Mike D. 
LIGHT, J.K. MAYES. Active: T.L. MEANS, R.B. JAMES, S.M. RAY Jr., A.H. POTTS, H.T. 
COCHRAN, Geo. W. COLE




Belton, July 12-The remains of Col. J.Z. MILLER Sr., who died at his home in this 
city yesterday, were laid to rest this afternoon at 5 o'clock in the North Belton 
cemetery in the presence of hundreds of friends and sorrowing loved ones. The crowd 
who gathered to pay their tribute of respect to this departed philanthropic man was 
one of the largest ever gathered around a grave in Belton and was in a way an 
intimation of the high esteem and love in which he was held. People from all parts 
of and even out of Texas came to pay honor to this man. The floral offerings were 
immense, the grave being literally strewn with flowers, which were sent by friends 
of the family.

Rev. E.C. BOYNTON of Huntsville, had charge of the services at the residence and 
delivered an eloquent eulogy on the life of the deceased. Following the services 
at the residence the body was turned over to the masons who buried it with Masonic 
honors. From 5 o'clock on throughout the remainder of the day all the business 
houses of the town, were closed as a mark or respect for the deceased.