This photograph is provided for official informational purposes only. The image may not be copied, reproduced, distributed, or otherwise used without prior written authorization from the Iowa General Assembly.
Requests for permission to use this image must be submitted to the Chief Clerk of the House for House members or the Secretary of the Senate for Senate members.
Edward Gee Miller
Black Hawk County
State Senator from Black Hawk County, Iowa, was born on the 3d day of September, 1840, at Cornish, York County, Maine. His father, who was a tanner and leather dealer, removed West in November, 1851, and settled on a farm in Dane County, Wisconsin, where the subject of this sketch spent his youth, laboring on the farm during the Summer, and attending district school for a few months each Winter, until he was eighteen years of age, when he entered the preparatory department of the University of Wisconsin. Here he pursued his studies for nearly three years, paying his own way, when, in response to the first call of the government for troops, he enlisted as a private in the 1st Wisconsin Volunteer Infantry, on the 17th day of April, 1861. This regiment was attached to General Patterson's army, was engaged in the battle of Falling Water, Virginia, and discharged the first gun fired by Wisconsin troops in the War of the Rebellion. His term of service expiring, he returned home in the Fall, and again pursued his studies until May, 1862, nearly completing the sophomore year, when, receiving a commission as a recruiting officer, with rank of first lieutenant, he raised a full company and became its captain. This company was mustered into the United States service at Madison, Wisconsin, on the 18th day of the following August, as Company "G" of the 20th Wisconsin Volunteer Infantry. The regiment spent the following Fall and Winter in Southwestern Missouri, and Northwestern Arkansas, under the command of General Heron. After returning home Captain Miller was employed as deputy clerk for some two years in the Circuit Clerk's Office of Dane County at Madison. In June, 1867, he removed to Black Hawk County, Iowa, and settled on a new farm in the southeast part of the county. In the Fall of 1869 he was elected County Superintendent of Public Schools, and in 1873 to the Upper House of the Iowa General Assembly, to which the importance of his county entitled him. He was assigned a place on the Committee on Railroads, Public Schools, Agricultural College, and several others of importance. Although a clear, forcible, speaker, his voice is seldom heard except when the public interest is in danger, or local wants demand his earnest support. A pure minded, honest, industrious man, he carefully guards the interests of his constituents, and is highly respected by his colleagues, and all who known him intimately and well. He early took an active part in the farmers' movement in this state, and assisted in the organization of most of the granges in this county, as deputy of the State Grange, and was an active member of Rustic Grange, number 83, of which he was the first master. He was married in Wisconsin, June 17, 1867, to Miss Mary J. Klinefaller.
Print
Permanent Link