California Genealogy and History Archives
Biographies
of
Sacramento County
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JOHN
H. MILLER, Jr. Three
generations of the Miller family have been identified with the growth of
California and two of these have maintained prominent associations with
the reportorial and journalistic history of Sacra- mento, where John H.,
Jr., now fills the responsible position of associate editor of the
Sacramento Sunday Neivs and of the Sacramento Valley Monthly. The
journalistic instinct came to him as an inherited acquisition from his
father, John H., Sr., a newspaper man of recognized ability and for
years a disciple of the "art preservative," although having
followed other occupations in the earlier years of his activity.
Practically all of his life was spent in the west, for although he was
born in Indiana November 25, 1348, he was only about five years old when
the family came to California via the Isthmus of Panama. The arrival in
San Francisco was followed by an immediate removal to Cold Springs,
Eldorado county, where the child grew to manhood and received a public
school education. At the age of eighteen he suc- cessfully passed an
examination for a teacher's certificate and then began to teach at
Coloma, Eldorado county. The occupation, however, proved only a stepping
stone to other enterprises. During 1868 he began to build a telegraph
line from Georgetown to Placerville. When the task had been accomplished
he devoted his attention to the operating of the line. The
purchase of the system by the Western Union Telegraph Company opened the
way for John H. Miller, Sr., to come to Sacramento. After he had located
in the city he organized the Capital Carriage Manufacturing Company, and
with a partner, Mr. Pritchard, conducted the business on Eighth and K
streets. Selling out in 1878, he and his business associate bought the
Phoenix Milling Company and gave their attention to the management of
the plant for some years. Next we find Mr. Miller entering the field of
journalism, for which he possessed a natural aptitude and in which he
rose to a considerable degree of prominence. After having been employed
as a reporter with the Sacramento Record-Union until 1892, he then
accepted a position as news editor of the Sacramento Bee. Resigning from
this newspaper in 1907, he engaged with the Sacramento Union as manager
of their office for two years. During 1909 he removed to Marysville and
there he remained until his death in May of 1911, meanwhile ably filling
the office of editor of the Marysville Appeal. Both
through his own personal influence and through the medium of the
journalistic sheets with which he was connected Mr. Miller gave stanch
aid to the Republican party. In local affairs he stood for progress. In
associations with his fellowmen he stood for the exercise of charity,
benevolence and kindliness. Principles were the object of his favor or
his criticism rather than people. Measures for the upbuilding of
community and state had his cordial co-operation. As a citizen he ever
proved loyal, patriotic and progressive, and his memory is worthy of
perpetuation in the annals of his community. His wife, whom he married
at Georgetown, this state, in June of 1871, and who bore the maiden name
of Ella Spencer, was a native of Eldorado county, born in 1853, and she
passed away in Sacramento in 1885. They are survived by four children,
of whom the only son, his father's name- sake, was born in Sacramento,
June 8, 1880. Two of the daughters are married, namely: Mrs. M. M.
Kimball, of Sacramento, and Mrs. H. Grimm, of Portland, Ore. The
youngest daughter is employed as a clerk in the postoffice at
Sacramento. The completion of the high school course in Sacramento was marked by the graduation of John H. Miller, Jr., in 1900, after which he studied for one year in the University of California. Upon his return to Sacramento he took up the task of earning his own way in life and since then he has risen to considerable prominence in journalistic circles, having enjoyed a connection of seven years with the Sacramento Bee, with which he worked in various positions from re- porter to assistant city editor. In 1910, having acquired an interest in the News Publishing Company, he transferred his activities from the Bee to the editorial department of the Sunday News, where he has ably filled the position of associate editor and where he is making a success in this responsible capacity. Mr. Miller's marriage occurred in Sacramento October 4, 1911, to Miss Agues Lister Strachan, a native of Scotland. From boyhood he has been a stanch believer in Republican principles. Men and measures having the support of the party have likewise his support and he has proved loyal to the principles of the organization which he favors. The Sutter club has the benefit of his active co-operation and his devotion to its labors in behalf of civic progress and municipal welfare. |
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Source: Transcribed by Peggy Hooper 2011 |