John Miller (Missouri politician)

John Miller (November 25, 1781 – March 18, 1846) was an

John Miller was born November 25, 1781, near Martinsburg, Virginia (now West Virginia). Little is known of his youth or family history. In 1803 Miller moved to Ohio and began a career in newspapers, serving as publisher of the Western Herald.^[1] Miller would later sell his interest in the newspaper to James Wilson, grandfather of U.S. President Woodrow Wilson.^[2] Miller was also involved in early Ohio politics through his newspaper and active in the state militia. He was able to use his political influence to be appointed a brigadier general of the Ohio militia.^[3]

War of 1812

In March 1812, with the threat of war against

Using his political connections, John Miller was able to secure an appointment as Registrar of the Howard County United States General Land Office in Franklin, Missouri in 1818.^[1] At the time Franklin was a booming river town and the epicenter of Missouri politics. Miller held the Registrar's position until 1825, becoming friends with a group of men who would eventually be known as the "Central Clique" and dominate Missouri Democratic politics through the 1840s. Originally a Democratic-Republican, Miller and friends became staunch Jacksonian Democrats led by Senator Thomas Hart Benton.^[7]

As governor

Missouri endured its first governmental crisis in August 1825 when Governor Frederick Bates died in office. Under the state Constitution, Lieutenant Governor, Benjamin H. Reeves would have finished out Bates' term. However, the previous month, July 1825, Reeves had resigned to take a post with the U.S. government. The governorship then fell temporarily to Senate President Pro Tempore Abraham J. Williams until a special election could be held on December 8, 1825.^[8] In that special election John Miller edged out Judge David Todd, William C. Carr, and Rufus Easton with 2,380 of the 4,933 votes cast.^[9]

Governor Miller was a strong supporter of moving the state capitol from

In his final term Governor Miller recommended that a state bank be established, backed by the good faith and credit of the government. This was in keeping with his belief in a hard money policy prevalent among Jacksonian Democrats and strong dislike of the Second Bank of the United States.^[7] Governor Miller proved to be an adept and frugal manager of the people's money. By the time he left office in 1832 the state's debt had been reduced to just $37,000.^[13]

In Congress

After his second term expired in November 1832 John Miller returned to Howard County, where he had a substantial home and several business interests. He also kept his hand in politics by writing—and sometimes

He is the namesake of Miller County, Missouri.^[16]

References