John Miller, 1st Governor of North Dakota

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_Miller_(Governor)

John Miller (October 29, 1843 – October 26, 1908) was an American politician with the Republican Party. He served as the first Governor of North Dakota from 1889 to 1891.

Biography

Miller was born in Dryden, New York. In 1878, he moved to the Dakota Territory with Jeremy W. Dwight and purchased 17,000 acres (69 km²) of land in the Red River Valley land of Richland County, establishing the Dwight Farm and Land Company. Miller married Addie S. Tucker on February 22, 1882 and they had one daughter.

Career

In 1889 Miller participated in the constitutional convention; this was Miller's only political experience prior to becoming governor. He had no previous political aspirations, but ran for governor after being persuaded to do so, and won by popular vote in the General Election in 1889.

During his tenure the state government was formed.

After serving his term, Miller declined to run for re-election or other office. He returned to his bonanza farm business and organized the John Miller Land Company in 1896. Miller became president of the newly incorporated Chaffee-Miller Milling Company in 1906.

Death

Miller died in Duluth, Minnesota in 1908, and is buried in Forest Hill Cemetery in Duluth.