Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1890-10-13
SKETCH OF HIS LIFE.
Where the Great Jurist Was Bora Lin
coins appointment.

coins appointment.
Justice Samuel +. Miller is a native
Kcntuckian. lie was born near Rich
mond, Madison county, on April ), 1916,
and was raised on Il farm. His early
education was slight, bat he had mind
that rose superior to youthful disad-
vantage. He was one OF the few in
stances of men who, finding that they
have made mistake il the choice of 4
profession, have retraced their steps
and achieved distinguished success
comparatively late in life.
He got his early education in Rich
mond, and then went to Pennsylvania
University at Lexington, which turned
out so many distinguished men. Here
he studied medicine. When he had
received his diploma he went
to Barboursvillc, Knox county,
where he practiced many years,
living the hard life and doing the self
sacrificing work that falls to the lot Of
every country doctor. He is yet affec-
tiOnatcly remembered by the Old farm
crs Of Knox county, to whom it was 4
matter of deep regret that DR.. Miller
dropped his saddle-bags, and in his
thirty-fifth year was admitted to the
bar. He had Il wife and two children
before he took this step.
In 1850 he went to KeOkuk, Ia, and
soon became a leader in that State OF
the rising young Republican party. His
towering intellect made him recognized
early for prelerment, but he declined to
become candidate for any elective
Office or to accept any appointments
until 1862, when President Lincoln made
him Justice OF the Supreme Court, OF
which he has since been such an Orna-
ment. His nomination was sent in to
the Senate at o'clock in the evening
just before final adjournment, and he
was instantly confirmed by unani-
nous vote. without reference to COM
mittce. Within Il dozen years after be-
ing admitted to the bar, this compare
lively young lawyer had reached one OF
the highest places in his profession.
During his quarter of Il century upon
the bench Justice Miller has probably
written more opinions on Constitutional
questions than any OF his associates,
and throughout the country he stands
among the very highest of Constitu-
tional lawyers. In the first case to come
before the Suprnmc Court, involving
tho rhi. occuuii, fourteenth ana Eli
teepth Amendments to the Con-
stitution he prepared the opinion
of the Court, and this was the
very first authoritative expression
of the amendments. Though Repub-
! in ha- i.t, hf
the bench the admiration of all parties.
A member Of the Electoral Commission
he decided in favor Of seating Hayes on
the ground that the tribunal must ac-
cept the retGrns in the States which
were sovereign. Decisions of his have
been quoted most widely. and he is an
authority that none may gainSay.
Justice Miller has devoted good deal
of time to the demands OF society. No
dinner at the White House, at the
houses OF ministers or cabinet officers
has been considered complete without
the popular justice, and he is regarded
as one OF the best OF after-dinner speak
crS.
Justice Miller has ruddy, healthful
countcnancc. His step has been light
and springy, his eyeSight only slightly
impaired and every faculty as alert as
when he was in the prime of life. He
has been till now fine pedestrian, and
every fair day during the sitting of the
court he walked 20 the Capitol aud back,
a distance of nearly six miles. The JUS
tice is about five feet nine or ten inches
in height and has strong form, face
cleanly shaven and an immense head,
somewhat bald on top, but with fringe
Of hair, once dark brown in color,
though now fast turning white. He
works very hard, not the less thorough
ly that his habits of study are not as
systematic rs they might be.