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The West Virginia Encyclopedia
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The West Virginia Encyclopedia
Judge James Henry Miller (February 9, 1859-February 9, 1929) was an important leader in West Virginia law, politics, education, and business but is best remembered today for his extensive history of Summers County. Miller was born in what would later be Summers County. He attended local public schools and graduated from Concord Normal School (now Concord University) in 1879. He taught school for a few years in Summers County and then studied law in Hinton and at the University of Virginia.
Miller served as superintendent of Summers County schools from 1882 to 1884 and as Summers County prosecuting attorney from 1884 to 1900. As a Democrat, he was active in West Virginia politics. He served as a delegate to the 1896 Democratic National Convention and as chairman of the State Democratic Committee, and ran unsuccessfully for state auditor in 1900 and for secretary of state in 1920. In 1904, he was elected as judge of the Circuit Court of the Ninth West Virginia Circuit and served in that office until 1920.
In 1882, Miller married Jane Tompkins Miller of Gauley Bridge. His History of Summers County, published in 1908, was a monumental work covering the history, geography, and genealogy of southern West Virginia. Judge Miller died in Hinton.
Written by Michael M. Meador
Comstock, Jim, ed. West Virginia Heritage Encyclopedia vol. 15. Richwood: Jim Comstock, 1976.
Keller, Barbara, ed. Summers County, West Virginia Historical Society: Cemetery Book. Beckley: 1996.
Miller, James H. History of Summers County. Hinton: J. H. Miller, 1908.
Pioneer Citizen of this County Died at Home in Bellepoint Saturday Night. Hinton Daily News, 2/11/1929.