Bismarck daily tribune. [volume] (Bismarck, Dakota [N.D.]) 1881-1916, 1908-10-30
First Governor Of North Da-
kOta Dies After Short
Illness
Was One Of Most Popular
Executives State Has
Ever Known

Duluth, Mimi, Oct. 27.-Former
Governor John Miller of North Da-
kota, died shortly after 8 o'clock Mon
day morning at his home, 429 East {
Second street, of heart failure. He
has been confined to his home for
about three weeks and his death was
not unexpected, although it came
quite suddenly.
Mr. Miller was one of Duluth's fore
most citizens. He was member of
the board of trade and always took
public interest and was active in
many charitable philanthropic coci-
ties.
Mr.. Miller was born at Dryden, N
Y, Oct. 20, 1843, and was educated
in the country schools and at the
Dryden academy. He passed his boy
hood On the farm of his parents near
Dryden and then entered the mer
chandise business, remaining there
until 1880. He then moved to Dako-
ia, which was territory at that time,
and became interested in wheat grow
ing on a large scale. He was alse
engaged in quite an extensive real
estate business He was elected to
the Dakota territorial council in 1888
and in 1889 was elected the first gov
ernor of the state of North Dakota
He refused a reelection.
While Mr.. Miller was governor the
Louisiana lottery tried to gain foot
hold in Dakota, but he opposed it
successfully. In 1896 Mr. Miller NOV
ed to Duluth and has lived there since
that time, being engaged in the grain
commission business.
He was president of the John Mil
Ter Grain company at the time of his
death. Mr.. Miller leaves a wife and
one daughter, 16 years of age. His
niece, Mrs. R. N. Chaffee, also lives
in this city.
During the time he had lived in Du-
luth Mr.. Miller has earned the admi-
ration and respect of all with whom
ne came in contact. He was looked
upon both by his business associates
and Duluth citizens in general as one
of the city's most public-spirited, phil
anthropic mel.
He was chairman of the hoard of
directors Of the Young Mems Chris
tan association and was largely re-
sronsfble for the movement to erect
the magnificent new building in Du-
luth. r.
BIOGRAPHICAL.
A telegram was received at the
governors office Tuesday morning
announcing tie death of John Mil
Ter, the first governor of the state
OF North Dakota. 1t is likely that
proclamation will be issued, that
the flag be displayed at half mast
on all public buildings on the day
of his funeral.
The nomination and election OF
John Miller in 1890, changed the
entire political history of the state.
At the first state convention of Re
. publicans in North Dakota at Fargo,
the Miller men nominated M. N.
Johnson for chairman against E. A.
Williams, the candidate of the Har-
/ rison Allen men. Johnson won by
!; one vote. On the Cass county dele
, cation which Allen had named, one
: E. H. Hottie, still prominent
Johnson supporter, voted for Hon.
M. N. Johnson, now candidate for
United States senator, and this set
tied the governorship, defeating Gen.
Allen, and changed the political
trend of state politics. Miller was
elected and gave the state an ex-
cellent administration. He had the
respect and good will of all who
had relations with him as governor.
His death will be regretted by many
of the old timers who knew him.
Miller is the second state governor
to pass. the great divide, Frank
Briggs being the other, who did
not complete his official term.