El Dorado
County
Biographies
JOHN L. MILLER
John L. Miller, a member of one of Eldorado county’s
pioneer families, was for many years a successful merchant and rancher, but is
now practically retired from active affairs, enjoying well earned leisure. He
was born near Latrobe, Eldorado county, on the 13th
of December, 1861, and is a son of James H. and Eliza (Ewing) Miller. The
father crossed the plains in 1854, being followed later by the lady who
afterward became his wife, and they were married at Spanish Creek. He conducted
a general mercantile business at Spanish Camp, and later acquired land and
engaged in the sheep business near Latrobe. In addition to these interests, he
had the hotel at Latrobe, which in those days was the terminus of the railroad
and was a busy and prosperous town. However, after the railroad line was
extended on west, the importance of the town diminished, as did its population
and volume of business. Mr. Miller died in 1889 and was survived many years by
his widow, whose death occurred in 1920. They became the parents of six
children, five of whom are living, [sic]
John L. Miller, the only son, attended the public school
at Latrobe and as soon as old enough became his father’s assistant in the management
of his various interests. The father moved to Sacramento, and later to Oakland,
where his death occurred. Two years previous to the departure of his father,
John L. Miller had taken charge of the property and continued to carry on the
store and ranch until 1925, when he sold the former and leased the latter and,
after the death of his wife, came to Shingle Springs, where he is occupied in
looking after his interests.
Mr. Miller was united in marriage to Miss Mary Etta
Barton, a member of an old pioneer family, now deceased. Mr. Miller is a
democrat in politics and has always taken a helpful interest in local public
affairs, though never a candidate for office. He belongs to the Independent
Order of Odd Fellows and he is fond of the mountains and of camping. Everywhere
he is held in high esteem by those who know him.
Transcribed by Marie Hassard
15 May 2010.
Source: Wooldridge, J.W.Major
History of Sacramento Valley California, Vol. 2, Pages 128-129. Pioneer Historical Publishing Co. Chicago 1931.
© 2010 Marie Hassard..
Golden
Nugget Library's El Dorado County Biographies