The record-union. [volume] (Sacramento, Calif.) 1891-1903, 1892-12-22
Z. H. MILLER. JR,

Death is making rich harvest among
the State builders of California Just now;
his remorseless blade is cutting down the
pioneer men rapidly, leaving to us the
history of their achievements in con-
quering to the arts and triumphs of the
present civilization the westernmost State
of the Union.
Among those the reaper has laid low is
e. H. Miller, Jr., Secretary almost from
its inception Of the Central Pacific Rail-
road Company-he succeeding Mr.. Burt
ley-the organization that carved the way
for the lines that now more closely unite
the fartherest western shores Of the Re
public with the great sisterhood of States
at the East
Mr.. Miller was an unpretentious man,
a tireless worker, faithful to duty as the
earth to its orbit, knowing it well, per-
forming it unfinchingly and with the
skill Of the man born to business affairs.
1t is rare that men for so many years
fill such an important, trying position as
Company, and it is high testimony to
his worth as a business man, for
during that long period the organi-
zation was tried as have been but
few of the pioneer enterprises, beset by
enemies, hindered in its great work by
apparently insurmountableo obstacles. and
environed by conditions that would have
daunted any but brave hearts and cour-
ageous souls. during the years of great
est struggle to link the East and the West
by the iron rails of that great undertaking,
Mr.. Miller, as the Secretary of the COM
pany, was the cool, self-possessed, far
seeing business man, who never lost faith
in the enterprise and at no time doubted
that it would eliminate in triumphant
success, and which he was spared:to see.
Hewas the faithful, competent official
of the company, the implicitly trusted
employee, the friend and the confidante of
the heroic men who in the face of all
manner of Encouragement carried the
pioneer transcontinental railway line up
out of the valley, through the foothills,
over the rugged Sierras and across the
desert plains. So true to his duty, so de-
voted to the interests of his company, so
constent and energetic in the line of per-
Torrance was Secretary Miller, that no
one even entertained the thought of his
displacement; and so the years rolled by.
and old age came on, and finally dissolu-
lion. But he went down at his post. and
all men who knew of him say to-day,
'Wen done, conscientious, capable, faith
full officer, gentle, upright, large minded
citizen"
Mr.. Miller came to California August,
lS49, being fellow-passenge with the late
Mark Hopkins, with whom in 1850 he
was associated in a large and successful
grocery trade in this city, the firm invest
ing portion of its profits in real estate in
Sacramento. Though the firm was
burned out in 1852, they Immediately re-
built, and continued in business until
1854, when Mr.. Hopkins sold out to Mr..
Mlller. VINO continued III trade until he
accepted the Secretaryship. So his early
business life was in this city, and here he
had many possessions, and here he re-
manned until the removal of the Central
Pacifc's offices to San Francisco necessi-
tated his removal also. But Mr.. Miller
never abated his love for this, his first
California home. He frequently visited
the city, and long after his removal main
tanned here a stock stable, taking pleas
ure in investing in and breeding line
horses.
He never sought political life; nor was
he given to pushing himself into prom
inence. He had his lines of action we'll
laid out, modestly but straight and def
mite, and he followed them with deter
mination and that careful Judgment and
clearness of perception characteristic Of
the man. In business circles his integ-
rity was unimpeachable; his word was
his bond. his guaranty uttered as bind
ing as if written. He was careful, but
enterprising; safe in his transactions, but