COLONEL LEVIN T. MILLER is a prominent lawyer and real estate operator at Wichita Falls, where he located during its very earliest years and where he has ever since been prominently identified with its great progress and up building. Colonel Miller has a distinguished history and is a man of mark in many ways, having been a leader in military, political and professional affairs from the days of early manhood.
He was born in Preble county, Ohio, in 1838. His parents were Levin and Frances (Buell) Miller. His father, who was born in Pennsylvania, made his home in Preble county, Ohio, until 1844, and then moved to Williamsport, Indiana, where he died in 1847. Colonel Miller’s mother was born in Kentucky, was married in Preble county, Ohio, and passed away at Williamsport.
Colonel Miller is an alumnus of Wabash College at Crawfordville, Indiana, where he graduated in the scientific department in 1858, when twenty years of age. A short time later he went and located at Independence, Missouri, where he began the study of law with Judge Hovey as preceptor, and in the latter part of 1859, when twenty-one years of age, was admitted to practice by Circuit Judge Hicks at Independence. He returned to Williamsport in 1860. At the outbreak of the Civil War he raised a company, which was attached to the Tenth Indiana Infantry at Company B, and went out on the three months’ enlistment, young Miller being its first lieutenant. This company was engaged at the battles of Carrick’s Ford, Rich Mountain and Beverly. When the three months was up Colonel Miller returned home and raised another company, Company K, Thirty-third Indiana Infantry, and was made captain of this company which was part of the Army of the Cumberland under Thomas. From the captaincy Mr. Miller was promoted to major, to lieutenant colonel and then colonel of the regiment, and during the larger part of his last year in the army he commanded a brigade. He won every one of these promotions by hard and meritorious service on the field, and he was one of the most efficient officers the Thirty-third Regiment ever had. As an officer of this regiment he was at the battles on the way to Atlanta, and was in all the fighting in the siege and taking of that city. His time expired after the Atlanta campaign and he then came home.
Owing to his fine army record and his proved character and ability, Colonel Miller soon came into prominence in the state of Indiana. He engaged in the practice of law at Williamsport, and in 1865 he was appointed, by President Johnson, to the office of governor of the territory of Montana. He had just married, and his wife did not care to go to the then far off country, and as Montana did not at that time give evidence of great wealth of resources, he declined this appointment and remained at Williamsport in law practice. He was among the leaders in Republican politics in Indiana, and in 1876 was nominated for attorney general of Indiana. In this candidacy he stumped the state with General Benjamin Harrison, who was the candidate for governor; the Republican ticket in the state was defeated that year.
Colonel Miller thus gained a large acquaintance with the leading men of Indiana, and he is still well remembered in his part of the state.
Colonel Miller came out to Texas in 1881, and for the first year was a partner in the law firm of Crawford & Crawford at Dallas. In November, 1882, he came to Wichita Falls, which then was the mere germ of a town, and the county of Wichita had only just been organized. The Denver road had also just been completed to the place, and the town was beginning that era of prosperous development which has since made it one of the leading commercial centers of north Texas. Colonel Miller has made this city his residence ever since, and has been engaged in the practice of law and in the real estate and loan business. Several times he has received appointments as special judge of the district court. He is a worthy and honored citizen, and has made a fine record in all lines of his endeavor.
Colonel Miller was married at Williamsport, Indiana, in June, 1865, to Miss Sarah Hichens. She was a most highly esteemed woman, and her death at Wichita Falls, on May 26, 1904, was the occasion of great sorrow to the hosts of friends and acquaintances who have for so many years loved and honored this noble couple. The one son, Fred S. Miller, is now in business in Chicago, the daughter, Miss Mary, died at Colorado Spring in September, 1903.
Source: B. B. Paddock, History and Biographical Record of North and West Texas (Chicago: Lewis Publishing Co., 1906), Vol