Nevada Genealogy Trails Mineral County J. H. Miller Biography

J. H. MILLER. It would be difficult to name a citizen of Nevada more popular with his fellow men or enjoying to a greater degree the confidence and trust of those with whom he is associated, than J. H. Miller, who is now serving for the fourth term as clerk and treasurer of Esmeralda county. Elected the first time by a majority of only two. at the last election he received no opposition at all, because his capability in office and his promptness and fidelity had so won the approval and trust of the public. He is equally prominent as a merchant here, and in social circles the number of his friends almost equals the number of his acquaintances.

John Harvey Miller is a native son of Nevada, his birth having occurred in this state, April 16, 1871. He is descended from an old Virginia family. His father, Nicholas Miller, was born in the Old Dominion and crossed the plains with an ox team to California in 1858. He mined for some time in the different California diggings, but only with partial success, and in 1868 removed to Austin, Nevada, attracted by the mining excitement at that place. He then engaged in contracting and in quartz mining at Austin and at Belmont until 1880, when his business career was terminated in death in the fiftieth year of his age. He had married Miss Maria T. Burns, also a native of Virginia, and they were the parents of seven children, of whom four are living: Alva, an engineer on the Carson & Colorado Railroad; Lilly, now the wife of J. E. Adams, the partner of our subject; and M. C, the wife of Frank Sloan, of Tonopah, Nevada.

J. H. Miller was principally educated in the public schools of Nevada, and when twelve years of age he entered upon his business career. He was very young to face the battles of life, but he has come off conqueror in the strife. He was first employed as a clerk in the store of F. A. Angel & Company, of Hawthorne, at a salary of ten dollars per month, and during the three years he remained with that firm his wages were increased to thirty dollars per month. Subsequently he spent two years in the employ of Mr. Summerfield, the pioneer merchant of the town, and afterward was with Knapp & Laws for seven years, receiving one hundred and ten dollars per month. Joining Mr. Adams in business, the present firm of Adams & Miller was formed, and since that time its business has grown rapidly. Theirs is one of the successful mercantile houses of the city, and they are now doing a very large wholesale and retail business, handling all kinds of merchandise including hay, grain, lumber and builders' supplies, in addition to drygoods and other commodities demanded in the household. Their trade extends over an area of two hundred miles. Their close attention to busines and liberal, progressive methods have brought to them well earned success, and the house of Adams & Miller is now one of the leading mercantile establishments of this part of the country. They carry a very large stock and also have a number of warehouses well filled. In 1896 Mr. Miller was chosen as the candidate of the silver party for clerk and treasurer of the county of Esmeralda, and has now been elected for four successive terms. At the first election he received a majority of only two, but discharged his duties with such fidelity and capability that at the second election he received a majority of three hundred and ninety-five, and at the next election had no opposition at all, while at the fourth election he polled a larger vote than had as yet been given him. No higher encomium could be pronounced on his official service.

In 1890 occurred the marriage of Mr. Miller and Miss Sadie Louise George, of Carson, Nevada, a daughter of Augustus George, of that city. She is a native daughter of the state, born in Virginia City. This union has been blessed with three children, all born in Hawthorne, namely: Rubie E., Harvey A. and Florence E. In religious faith Mr. and Mrs. Miller are Episcopalians. They have a nice home in Hawthorne and the high esteem of a large circle of friends. Mr. Miller is a member of the Ancient Order of United Workmen, the Knights of Pythias fraternity and the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, the Rebekahs and the Degree of Honor. His genial nature, his sterling worth and his trustworthinesss have made him a popular citizen.