Miller, Melvin J.
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.
Body:
House
District:
12A
Elected:
11/7/1972
Residence:
Randall
Term of Office:
1/1/1973 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.
Articles & Books About
These files are available in the Legislative Reference Library.
The Library maintains newspaper clippings on individual legislators during their terms. Clippings are available from 1973 to the present in a variety of formats: 1973-1999, microfiche available at the Library; 2000-2009, scanned in yearly compilations and digitally available on the legislative network; 2009-present, archived in a searchable database maintained by the Library and available on the legislative network.