Miller, James R.

James Raymond Miller was secretary of the State Board of Agriculture (Colorado State University's governing body) from 1939 to 1957. Born on his parents' farm in Moorefield, Nebraska, on September 22, 1891, Miller graduated from the Nebraska State Normal School in 1917. For several months after graduation, he worked for the Kearney Times newspaper until he enlisted in the United States Army during World War I, where he served overseas and was wounded.

Miller began working for the Fort Collins Express-Courier (now known as the Fort Collins Coloradoan ) as a reporter in 1924. He then wrote the syndicated column "The Old Mill" for a number of years and was managing editor when he resigned in 1935. Involved with many community organizations and events throughout his time in Fort Collins, he was elected to the Colorado State Senate in 1934, and represented Larimer County for one term. In 1935, he was an early editor of the Colorado Agricultural Experiment Station publications. He was a member of the First Christian Church in Fort Collins, the Fort Collins Elks Club, and was a founder of the Fort Collins Writer's Club. He also served several veterans organizations, the United Fund, and the Fort Collins Chamber of Commerce.

Appointed to the State Board of Agriculture as secretary in 1939, Miller's duties included treasurer, purchasing agent, business manager, and assistant to the university president. After World War II, Miller was given the option of continuing as the Board's secretary or the president's assistant; he chose to remain secretary to the Board. When he retired in 1957, Miller had served the University during the tenure of four presidents: Charles A. Lory, Roy M. Green, Isaac E. Newsom, and William E. Morgan.

During his time on the Board, Miller also served on a variety of committees and supported many faculty and student activities at Colorado State University. These included the Faculty Club, Faculty Council, Independent Associated Students, Phi Kappa Phi, and Theta Chi fraternity. From 1953 to 1956, he was regional director of the Association of Governing Boards of Universities and Allied Institutions. In addition to these activities he also sometimes gave class lectures on legislation, journalism, and the University's institutional history. Miller retired from the Board in 1957; he was Colorado State University's commencement speaker in June 1958, when he received the honorary degree of Doctor of Letters.

Research into the life of Elijah E. Edwards, the first University President, continued Miller's affiliation with the University after his retirement. His research ultimately took him to Fort Meyers, Florida, where he discovered the unmarked grave of Edwards. In 1962, Miller completed his unpublished biography of President Edwards and an early institutional history, "Pioneer College President." He hoped it would be published for the University's upcoming centennial celebrations in 1970; however, it remains unpublished. Into the 1960s, Miller continued to author articles about Colorado State University in local publications. In 1964, Miller served as historian for the Fort Collins Area Centennial Commission.

Miller died in Ord, Nebraska, on October 23, 1978, at the age of 87. He married Mary Elizabeth "Bess" Mason in Ord, Nebraska, on October 21, 1920. They had two sons, Mason E. and James R. At the time of his death, he had six grandchildren and three great-grandchildren.

From the guide to the Papers of James R. Miller, 1846-1993, 1877-1883, (Colorado State University Archives and Special Collections)