James Winfield Miller

CUMMINGS, MILLER, ROBB

Posted By: Judy Wight Branson (email)
Date: 8/13/2004 at 11:50:06

James Winfield Miller, former editor of the Madisonian and now owner and editor of the Reporter of Winterset, Iowa, was born at Mount Pleasant Pennsylvania, on the 5th of April, 1852, of the marriage of the Hon. William Edward and Mary (Robinson) Miller. The father was also born at Mount Pleasant in 1823 and the mother in Fayette county, Pennsylvania, in 1828. In early life William E. Miller studied law in the Keystone state but in 1852 removed to Johnson county, Iowa, and there practiced his profession for a few years He was elected district judge before the Civil war, holding court when there were as yet no railroads in his part of the state. He enlisted in the Union army and was colonel of the Twenty-eighth Iowa Regiment for a year, resigning at the end of that time on account of ill health dating from the engagement at White river Upon his return to this state he practiced at Iowa City until he was appointed judge of the supreme court of Iowa. He served for three years upon the highest state tribunal and the decisions which he handed down were distinguished by discrimination, thought, absolute fairness and lucidity of expression. At one time Judge Miller was the editor of the Iowa City Republican and he was very prominent in republican circles from the earliest days of that party having helped in its organization in Johnson county. He was a Methodist and fraternally was connected with the Masons and the Odd Fellows, in both of which orders he was active. His father-in-law, James Robinson, was one of the organizers of the Johnson County Savings Bank and he helped to erect its building, which stood for many years as the finest structure in that part of the state.

When a boy of eleven years James W. Miller accompanied his father to the battle front and at Helena, Arkansas, acted as postmaster for the regiment and also served as messenger, carrying dispatches for the commanders especially General German. His father provided him with a colonel's uniform, the men of the regiment gave him a pony and a gunsmith made him a gun and he was very proud of his equipment and actually participated in several engagements with the guerillas and bushwhackers. His scholastic education was largely acquired in Iowa City and in 1871 he engaged in the lumber business, being connected with H. F. Getchell & Son. Two years later he removed to Winterset and became assistant manager of the foremost lumberyard there. He was so engaged until 1876, and in 1877 he became connected with the Madisonian in an editorial capacity and held that position until 1890. In that year he went into the stock business, specializing in the breeding of fine driving horses, many of which were tracked. In 1899 he was appointed postmaster of Winterset and held that office for four and a half years. In 1903 he became the owner and editor of the Reporter, a republican paper of considerable influence, and under his management it has gained in circulation and advertising patronage and has maintained a high standard as to news service.

On November 23, 1876, Mr. Miller married Miss Laura Justina Cummings, who was born in Winterset, Iowa, a daughter of Henry J. B. Cummings, whose birth occurred in Sussex county, New Jersey, on the 2ist of May, 1831. He taught school when in his teens and in 1848 began the study of law. The following year, however, he went to Schuylkillhaven for three and a half years worked upon the "Schuylkillhaven Map." In 1854 he went to Muncy, Pennsylvania, and was there admitted to the bar. On the 1st of January, 1856, he crossed the Mississippi river and continued his way westward, settling in Winterset, Madison county, Iowa. He returned to Muncy and on March 4, 1857, was married to Annie W. Robb. They lived to celebrate their golden wedding he dying April 16, 1909, his wife having preceded him April 10 of the previous year. He organized the republican party in Madison county and held a number of local offices, such as those of mayor and prosecuting attorney, and he helped to organize both Adair and Cass counties. In 1869 he became editor of the Madisonian and in 1876 was elected to congress from his district. He introduced the arrears of pension bill, the passage of which caused one and a half million dollars to be distributed to the old soldiers residing in Iowa. At the time of the Civil war he organized a militia company which went to the front as Company F of the Fourth Iowa Infantry and he was captain of that company for a year and saw considerable active service. He proved such a capable leader that he was made colonel of the Thirty-ninth Iowa Infantry and served at the head of his command for three and a half years. Mrs. Miller has in her possession his sword and also one belonging to her great-great-great-grandfather, General Daniel Broadhead, a member of General Washington's staff and the commander of Fort Pitt. She also has a letter written by General Washington to General Broadhead, giving the latter orders relating to Fort Pitt. Mr. Miller has the sword belonging to his father. Mr. and Mrs. Miller have had two children, but both died in infancy.

Mr. Miller is a loyal republican and has served as chairman of the county central committee and attended as delegate many county and state conventions. He wields considerable influence in political circles both as an individual and as an editor, and he is always willing to do all in his power to further the interests of his party by honorable means. He is a member of the Presbyterian church and not only attends its services and contributes to its support but in many ways aids in its work. As a boy he played a part in the struggle to preserve the Union and throughout his entire life has manifested a willingness to place the general good above his private interests, and his public spirit has been a factor in securing the advancement of his community.

Taken from the book, “The History of Madison County, Iowa, 1915”