gov_miller

Arkansas Genealogy Trails

William Read Miller was born in Batesville, Arkansas. Miller was the first native born Arkansas governor. He studied law and was admitted to the Arkansas bar in 1848.
Miller was elected county clerk of Independence County 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.
In 1876 Miller was elected as Governor of Arkansas and was reelected in 1878. 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.
William Read Miller is buried at the historic Mount Holly Cemetery in Little Rock.