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    Miller, Melvin J.

    Sessions Served    Other Information

    House 1973-74 (District 12A)

    Party when first elected:  Nonpartisan Election-Democratic-Farmer-Labor Caucus

    Counties Served:  Morrison, Todd

    BIOGRAPHICAL INFORMATION

    Date of Birth: 5/19/1919
    Birth Place: Mott, North Dakota
    Birth County:
    Birth Country: United States
    Date of Death: 11/15/1974
    Gender: Male
    Religion: Catholic
    Reported Minority: None Reported
    Other Names:
    City of Residence (when first elected): Randall
    Occupation (when first elected): Farmer

    EDUCATION

    OTHER GOVERNMENT SERVICE

    Municipal Government: Randall, Minnesota (Town Assessor); 19?? to 19??
    Municipal Board/Commission: Randall, Minnesota (Town Board); 19?? to 19??
    School Board/Administration: Randall, Minnesota (School Board); 19?? to 19??
    Military: United States Army Air Corps (World War II); 1942 to 1946

    FAMILY RELATIONSHIPS

    Spouse: Anne (married in 1950)
    Children: Thirteen children: John, David, Keith, Craig, Neil, and Brian (sons); Barbara, Joyce, Mary Ellen, Jean, Carla, Kay, and Amy (daughters)
    Family Members Who Have Served in the Minnesota Legislature:

    GENERAL NOTES

    He was a member of the Democratic-Farmer-Labor Party.

    He was a member of the Knights of Columbus.

    He won the seat for 12A in the 1974 election, but died before he could be seated in the 1975 legislature.

    He died from an apparent heart attack at the Hotel St. Paul in St. Paul, Minnesota. His funeral was held at St. James Catholic Church in Randall, Minnesota. He was buried in the St. James Cemetery in Randall, Minnesota.

    Religion provided by the Minnesota Legislative Manual, 1973-74.

    Most recent term photo
    Click to view
    Total Days Served: 683

    SESSIONS SERVED

    68th Legislative Session (1973-1974)

      Session Details
    Body: House
    District: 12A
    Elected: 11/7/1972
    Residence: Randall
    Term of Office: 1/2/1973 to 11/15/1974 (unfinished term)
    Counties Represented: Morrison, Todd
    Occupation: Farmer
    Party: Nonpartisan Election-Democratic-Farmer-Labor Caucus
    Committees:
    • Agriculture
    • Commerce and Economic Development
    • Governmental Operations
    • Labor-Management Relations
    Reason for unfinished term: Death
    Session Notes: He died while in office on November 15, 1974. He was reelected on November 5, 1974, but died before being sworn into office in 1975. His margin of victory over Robert V. Holmen (Listed as Holmes in the Secretary of State's 1972 election results published in the Minnesota Legislative Manual, 1973-74. All other sources list Holmen.) was only 20 votes so a recount occurred. Legal papers notifying Miller of the recount lawsuit were given to his 13 year old daughter, he challenged this as being improper. The Minnesota Supreme Court ruled that it was sufficient in this situation. After the recount he was declared the winner by approximately 43 votes.
    term photo
    Click to view

    OTHER INFORMATION

    Articles & Books About
    "State Rep. Miller Dies in St. Paul (Obituary)." Minneapolis Tribune, November 16, 1974, p. 12B.

    "Melvin Miller, Randall Legislator, Dies at 55 (Obituary)." Minneapolis Star, November 15, 1974.

    "State Legislator Melvin Miller is Dead at 55 (Obituary)." St. Paul Dispatch, November 15, 1974.



    The Minnesota Legislative Reference Library has collected newspaper articles on legislators since 1973. They are available in the Library.

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