Anderson County Biographies
"Portrait and Biographical Record of Southeastern Kansas"
Biographical Publishing Co., Chicago, 1894
HON. JOHN W. MILLER. There is an obscurity in the game of life that to the
robust mind is always attractive. The important uncertainty of the final outcome
serves as an incentive to great deeds. To push
forward and win the battle is one common impulse and ambition of humanity. But in this
vast concourse of struggling warriors the number who achieve success is comparatively small,
and in the majority of instances is confined to
those who by reason of family inheritance or extended learning have a better start than their
fellows. Without these qualifications success is
rarely attained, and when it is the fortunate being
is invariably the possessor of an indomitable will,
untiring energy and an unusual amount of native shrewdness and ability. Such a man is the
Hon. John W. Miller, the present Probate Judge
of Anderson County.
A native of Ohio, his birth occurred in Tuscarawas County July 30, 1850, he being a son of George
and Sarah (Braninger) Miller, natives of the Keystone State. The parents were married in Ohio,
and soon afterward settled in Tuscarawas County, where they remained until 1866, and then
made their way to Kansas. For about eighteen
months they resided in Douglas County, but from
there they removed to Bates County, Mo., remaining there two years, and thence to Linn County,
where they resided until 1870. They then came
to Anderson County and settled near Hickory
Grove, Rich Township, where the father resides at
the present time. The mother passed away January 5, 1891.
They were the parents of six children, all of whom grew to mature years.
The Hon. John W. Miller, the only son in the
family, made his home under the parental roof
until after settling in Anderson County. His
youthful days were passed in assisting on the farm
and in attending the common schools, in which
he received a good practical education. In September, 1873, he commenced teaching school, and
for sixteen years gave nearly his entire time to
that profession, doing all his teaching in four districts. Being naturally of a studious turn of
mind, he applied himself diligently during his
spare moments and thus obtained a good education. In the fall of 1890 his superior ability was
recognized by the people and he was elected to
his present position, and re-elected in 1892.
In the year 1878 our subject was married to
Miss Alice Elizabeth Miller, a distant relative. She
was a native of Tuscarawas County, Ohio, and the
daughter of Samuel and Elizabeth Miller. Six
children have blessed this union, viz.: Roy, Ola,
Lonnie, Samuel, Harry and Dale. Formerly independent
in his political views, he is now a Populist, and was one of the organizers of the People's
party in the southern part of Anderson County.
Before being elected judge he served his township
as Trustee and Clerk, and held other local positions. He is a man of excellent judgment and is unquestionably one of the foremost citizens. Gifted
with intelligence, of unswerving integrity, he today commands the respect of his fellow-men, and
numbers his friends only by his number of acquaintances. Socially, he is a member of the
Knights of Pythias and the Ancient Order of
United Workmen. He owns a farm of one hundred and sixty acres of land near Kincaid. This
he purchased when it was raw prairie, and he now
has the same under cultivation, and on it has a
good orchard. He has been a resident of Garnett
since 1891, and is universally respected.
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