William Read Miller

William Read Miller
Arkansas State Auditor
In office 1857–1860
Preceded by	A.S. Huey
Succeeded by	H.C. Lowe
Arkansas State Auditor
In office 1861–1864
Preceded by	H.C. Lowe
Succeeded by	J.R. Berry
Arkansas State Auditor
In office 1866–1868
Preceded by	H.C. Lowe
Succeeded by	J.R. Berry
Arkansas State Auditor
In office 1874–1877
Preceded by	Stephen Wheeler
Succeeded by	John Crawford
12th Governor of Arkansas
In office January 11, 1877 – January 11, 1881
Preceded by	Augustus Hill Garland
Succeeded by	Thomas James Churchill
Arkansas State Auditor
In office 1887
Preceded by	A.W. Files
Succeeded by	W.S. Dunlop
Personal details
Born	November 23, 1823 Batesville, Arkansas, U.S.
Died	November 29, 1887 (aged 64) Little Rock, Arkansas, U.S.
Political party	Democratic
Spouse(s)	Susan Elizabeth Bevens
Profession	Lawyer
Religion	Presbyterian

William Read Miller (November 23, 1823 – November 29, 1887) was the 12th Governor of the State of Arkansas.

Biography

Miller was born on a farm in Batesville, Arkansas. He was educated in local schools.

Career

Miller was elected county clerk of Independence County, Arkansas and served from 1848-1854. He was appointed State Auditor in 1854 and was reelected to that position in 1858, 1860, 1862, and again in 1874 after Reconstruction ended. Miller studied law and was admitted to the bar in 1868.

Miller was elected Governor of Arkansas in 1876, and was reelected in 1878. Miller was the first native born Arkansas governor.^[1] The Miller administration focused on public education and the state's financial problems. He signed legislation that funded the State Blind Asylum and the Arkansas Industrial University.

After leaving office Miller served as the Deputy Treasurer of Arkansas in 1881 and 1882. In 1886, he was elected to the position of State Auditor.

Family life and death

Miller was married to Sarah Susan Bevers and they had seven children.

Miller is buried at the historic Mount Holly Cemetery in Little Rock, Arkansas.^[2]

References

1. "William Read Miller (1877-1881)". Ohio State House Museum. Retrieved August 14, 2012.
2. "William Read Miller". Find A Grave. Retrieved August 14, 2012.

External links

• Encyclopedia of Arkansas History & Culture entry
• National Governors Association
• Old State House Museum