ojoamill.html

The Goldendale Sentinel, Goldendale, WA., June 19, 1952, page 1

COURTHOUSE TO CLOSE FOR JOHN A. MILLER FUNERAL

All offices in the county court house will be closed during the funeral services for County Clerk John A. Miller to be held in the Goldendale High School Thursday, June 19, at 2 p.m.
An order requesting the closure was issued by the Board of County commissioners Monday.

The Goldendale Sentinel, Goldendale, WA., June 19, 1952, page 1 and 7
Includes portrait

COLORFUL CAREER END FOR JOHN A. MILLER, VETERAN OFFICIAL

A colorful 76-your career ended Sunday afternoon, and June 15 for County Clerk John A. Miller, who had given 24 years of faithful and efficient service to the citizens of Klickitat County. Miller passed away at the Swedish Hospital in Seattle, following an illness of nearly two months.

SERVICES TO BE HELD THURSDAY AT HIGH SCHOOL

Citizens from all sections of Klickitat County will gather at the Goldendale High School Thursday, June 19 at 2:00 p.m. to pay their last respects to County Clerk John A. Miller, who passed away in Seattle, Sunday afternoon, June 15 at 3:00 o'clock. Services will be conducted by the Rev. J.A. Dunn of the Centerville Church of Christ. Burial will be made in the Centerville Cemetery with the Odd fellows Lodge assisting.
Miller was born in Kansas and at the age of 14 came to Klickitat county with his parents, Charles and Sarah A. Miller, settling on a farm near Goldendale. He took an active interest in public affairs and had served 24 years as a county official and four years in the state legislature.
He received his education in the Goldendale School, supplemented later by training in an accounting school in Portland. As a young man, he was one of Goldendale's barbers, and was married while he was in that business in the year 1898.
Finally, however, John decided that he would like a try at farming, and he sold his barber shop, and it took over a ranch near Centerville. A diversified farm, it is still in the family, now being owned by his oldest son, Henry, and called Miller's Swale Meadow Farm. Polled Herefords are one of the outstanding "crops" which are raised their at present.

ENTERS POLITICS

Politics next interested him, and in 1908, he threw his hat into the ring for county clerk, and although defeated in the primary season by Ira Hornibrook he was appointed chief deputy assessor under Frank Bunnell in that same year. It is a position which he held for two years. At the end of that time, he again ran for county clerk, and was elected for two years, which was then the length of time which an elective official could hold the same office.
John had taken his politics straight. No one ever had to guess where he stood on anything. Straightforward in the statement of his position, he had been loyal to the Republican Party throughout his long career, and there had never been any waivering. If people inclined to think that a public official has to temper his convictions to adjust them up to the political winds, they didn't take John Miller into consideration, because he never had done so.
Concluding his term as clerk in 1914, he ran for county treasurer, and after receiving the office devoted himself to installing a new system there. The treasurer's office is still using the system which he inaugurated, it is reported.

STATE REPRESENTATIVE

In 1918 and decided to enter the state political scene, successfully running for the legislature. He served two terms, being reelected to in the fall of 1920.
In 1922 he became a candidate for state senator and received the nomination but suffered a defeat in the general election at the hands of George Christenson, because of a difference of viewpoint over the location of the state highways in the portion of the state.

ENTERS BUSINESS

For a number of years John turned his attention from politics to business, accepting employment in the Centerville Elevator company, where he continued for approximately 12 years, until the company sold out to the National Warehouse company. After the dissolution of the company he set up a warehouse of his own, and bought wheat for Kerr Gifford and company until 1938, when he felt the urge to enter the political fray again, as a candidate for Treasurer.
Although defeated by a small vote in this campaign by the chief deputy treasurer, Joe Boyd, he was appointed Boyd's chief deputy until May 16, 1939, when he was appointed County Auditor by the board of county commissioners. During the period he was auditor, the first cash balance was installed in that office.
In 1940, he was elected to the position of County Auditor, during the presidential election, and again won the office in 1942. He continued as Auditor until 1947 when he was elected County Clerk, the office he held at the time of his death.
He is survived by his widow, Lena; seven children, Mrs. Zelma Taylor of Tigard, Oregon; Henry Miller of Centerville; Mrs. Mary Jaekel, of Centerville; Mrs. Helen Card of The Dalles; John Reginald Miller of Seattle; Mrs. John Hannifan of The Dalles; and Jerome A. Miller of The Dalles. Three brothers, Tom, George and West Miller, all of the Goldendale.
"The most interesting experience I've ever had," John once said, "He is trying to give the public good service."

The Goldendale Sentinel, Goldendale, WA., June 26, 1952, page 3

JOHN A. MILLER

John A. Miller was born near Acheson, Kansas, March 9, 1875 the son of Charles A. and Sarah Jane Miller. He passed away is Seattle June 15, 1952 after an illness of two months at the age of 76 years, 3 months and 6 days.
When he was 14 years old the family moved from Kansas to a farm a mile south of Goldendale. He attended school in Goldendale and was a graduate of the old Klickitat Academy. Later he graduated from Portland Business College.
On December 7, 1898, he and Elizabeth Jane Garner were married and moved to a farm near Centerville. To this union were born five children; Zelma, Henry, Mary, Reginald and Helen. Mrs. Miller passed away on January 29, 1923.
He was united in marriage on February 9, 1924, to Lena Hollingsworth and to them a daughter, Jean, was born and twin boys, Jerome, and a brother who died in infancy.
As a young man Mr. Miller served in the militia for the Spanish-American War. When he first moved to the Centerville community he taught school for several terms in the old Dutch flat school. He was always interested in better schoo1s and educational improvements and served many years on the Centerville school board.
Mr. Miller will be remembered for his public service. He entered politics in 1908 as deputy assessor. In 1910 he was elected County Clerk, and with the exception of the years when he was manager of grain warehouses in Centerville, he has served almost continuously in the court house in most of the county offices. At the time of his death he was serving as County Clerk. He took great pride in the installations and bookkeeping systems he was instrumental in introducing in the different offices. They stand as a monument to his efforts and foresight. He served two terms in the State Legislature as Representative during the terms 1919-20 and 1921-22. During the period of his political activities, he served many years as county chairman of the Republican party, and never hesitated to take a definite stand on any issue. He had a deep appreciation of, and interest in law and in spare moments studied diligently to be well informed on points of law, in order to be of more service to the public. Many sought his advice and counsel.
Honesty of character was one of his outstanding virtues. He was blest with a sense of humor that never failed. He enjoyed the simple and plain ways of life yet he could meet men of wealth or position on equal footing. He had a deep religious faith. Patriotism, to him, was a real and vital conviction. His love for his family is a record of devotion, and his loyalty to friends, undying.
He was a member of the First Church of Christ at Centerville. He was affiliated with the Alimus Lodge No. 15, I.O.O.F. Leah Rebekah Lodge No. 122 Centerville Grange and Goldendale Chamber of Commerce.
He is survived by his widow Lena, his children, Mrs. Zelma Taylor, Tigard, Oregon, Henry Miller and Mrs. Mary Jaekel, Centerville, Reg, Miller, Seattle, and Mrs. Helen Card, Mrs. Jean Hannifan and Jerry Miller, The Dalles, by three brothers, Tom, Wesley, and George, all of Goldendale, and by 14 grandchildren, many nieces and nephews and a host of friends.
Active pallbearers were James Jaekel, John Tobin, Russell Kreps, Sam Ganders, Herman Henderson and August Jaekel.
Honorary pallbearers were Jess Wherry, Wm. Ludlum, Ed Suksdorf, Herman Roloff, John Wyers, Steve Wnuk, Matt Crocker, E. Abeling, George Bunn, Frank Mattson and Ray Mc-Lavy.
Services were held in the high school auditorium Thursday, June 19, with Rev. J.A. Dunn officiating. Interment was made in the Centerville cemetery.

The Goldendale Sentinel, Goldendale, WA., June 26, 1952, page 12

IN MEMORY OF JOHN MILLER

For death is but an open door
To which God holds the golden key,
And having turned the lock he says do not look back but follow me
And all ahead and all around
Are truth and beauty all so pure.
That everlasting is our home in heaven which our faith made sure.

Jetta Niva

The Goldendale Sentinel, Goldendale, WA., June 26, 1952, page 12

CARD OF THANKS

We take this means of expressing our heartfelt thanks and gratitude to our many friends for all the kindness shown during the recent illness and passing of our beloved husband and father. We are also very grateful for the many beautiful floral offerings.

Mrs. Lena Miller and Family

FRIENDS PAY LAST TRIBUTE TO JOHN MILLER, ART STRAM

Friends from all sections of Klickitat county last Thursday paid final tribute to John A. Miller, 76-year-old veteran county official, who was serving as County Clerk at the time of his death in Seattle Sunday, June 15, and to Art Stram, deputy in the County Engineer's office, who succumbed Monday, June 16.
Nearly 400 attended the services held for Miller in the high school auditorium at 2 p.m. with the Rev. J.A Dunn of Centerville Church of Christ officiating. Active pallbearers were James Jaekel, John Tobin, Russell Kreps, Sam Ganders, Herman Anderson and August Jaekel. Honorary pallbearers included Jess Wherry, William Ludlum, Ed Suksdorf, Herman Roloff, John Wyers, Steve Wnuk, Matt Crocker, Edward Abeling, Geo. Bunn, Frank Mattson and Ray McLavy.
At five o'clock Thursday afternoon the Phillips Funeral Home was packed to capacity for final rites conducted for Art Stram by the Rev. Walter G. Smith of the Goldendale Baptist Church.
Pallbearers were Walt Townsend, William Cavanaugh, William Radke, Ted Wilkins, Dick Sellers and Thurman Ward.