Biographies
FRANK C. MILLER
The thorough educational preparation
afforded by an eastern university and the invaluable experience gained by
identification with construction work with eastern railroads admirably
qualified Mr. Miller for successful prosecution of the tasks connected with
engineering and surveying when in 1902 he became a citizen of Sacramento and
thus began a congenial association with the west. The office of county surveyor
which he now fills does not represent the limit of his capable contribution to
local advancement, for in addition he has been a helpful factor in railway
construction work and by successful labors here has added to the prestige of an
eastern reputation previously established. Since he was elected surveyor and
entered upon official duties, on January of 1911, he has devoted his attention
to the work of the office, where he has introduced modern conveniences along
surveying lines as well as in systematic routine of accounting.
A member of a family established in the
central west during the era of frontier development and himself a native of
Romney, Ind., Frank C. Miller, received an excellent education in the public
and high schools of Franklin county, after which he engaged in teaching in that
county for two years. With the earnings of this period of teaching he was able
to attend the Ohio State University at Columbus, where he took the regular
course in civil engineering and in 1893 was graduated with a high standing. The
first position secured after graduation was that of rodman
with the Big Four Railroad Company, in whose employ he remained for one year.
Next he engaged for six months on construction work for the Cleveland, Loraine
& Wheeling Railroad Company. From that position he went to the Columbus,
Sandusky, & Hoeking Railroad, where he worked as
assistant chief engineer until December of 1899. From that time until he came
to California in 1902 he was connected with the Chicago & Alton Railroad as
engineer in the maintenance of way department.
Upon coming to California and establishing
headquarters at Sacramento, Mr. Miller for five years held the position of
resident engineer for the Sacramento division of the Southern Pacific Railroad
Company, having charge of the department of maintenance and construction. Then for
a time he engaged in work independently. He later filled with characteristic
ability the position of chief engineer with the Central Traction Company, had
charge of the construction work of that road, and is still holding that
position with the company. While thus engaged he was elected county surveyor in
November, 1910, during his service also having charge of the construction of
the Sacramento Terminal Railway and the Vallejo Northern Railway in Sacramento.
He is now in charge of the construction of the Oakland, Antioch & Eastern
Railroad, running from Sacramento to Suisun Bay.
The wife of Mr. Miller was before her
marriage Miss Julia Throckmorton, of Lafayette, Ind. Two daughters have been
born to Mr. and Mrs. Miller, Helen and Frances. Though in sympathy
with all religious movements, Mr. Miller is identified with the Congregational
church. With intense devotion to the work of his choice, he has had
little leisure for participation in public affairs, and takes no part in
politics aside from voting the Republican ticket at all elections. He was made
a Mason in Tehama Lodge No. 3, F. & A. M., and is also a member of the
Order of Moose.
Transcribed by Sally Kaleta.
Source: Willis,
William L., History of Sacramento County,
California, Pages 972-973. Historic
Record Company,
© 2006 Sally Kaleta.