Arthur J. Miller

Arthur J. Miller was born in Rushford, Minnesota at Cottrell's Hospital to Peter and Josephine (Knauf) Miller. He lived an active life as a businessman, public servant, U.S, Naval Officer, health care administrator and newspaper columnist.Art graduated from Rushford High School in 1926, earned a Bachelors Degree in Business Administration from the University of Southern California in 1931, and a Juris Doctor Degree from Southwestern University of Law, Los Angeles, California in 1933.He was sworn into the California Bar in 1933. Due to the Depression, he retuned to work in the family business, Rushford Wagon Company in 1934. He served nine years as Justice of Peace in Rushford until he volunteered for the U.S. Navy in February 1942. He entered the Navy as an enlisted man and completed basic training at the Great Lakes Naval Training Center. While stationed in Washington, D.C. eight months later, he was commissioned as a Lieutenant, Junior Grade. Following assignments in Chicago, Philadelphia, at the Memphis Naval Air Training Base and in the South Pacific on the Admiralty Islands he retired from the Navy as a Lieutenant Commander in early 1946.Immediately following his Naval retirement, he returned to Rushford and continued to manage the family business with his brother, Vince, selling and servicing automobiles, trucks and farm implements in the Tri-County area. In the fall of 1946, he purchased the farm implement division of the business which was operated as Miller Truck & Implement Company, an International Harvester dealer until 1964. During that time he was very active in community and public affairs in Rushford and Fillmore County. He served as Mayor for eleven years and city councilman for eight years. He was active in the Commercial Club, Community Chest, American Legion(where he held a number of offices including Post Commander), the VFW, Lions Club (where he was President and later recognized as a Life Member), Ferndale Country Club, St. Joseph's Catholic Church and various other organizations.He was elected to the Fillmore County Board of commissioners in 1964, where he served as Chairman in 1966 and 1967. During that time he was also on the Minnesota State Board of County Commissioners where he was Southeastern Director representing eleven counties. In 1968, he ran as an independent for the Minnesota House of Representatives. He narrowly lost in a three-way race between the Republican and DFL endorsed opponents. In that election he declined endorsement that was offered from both political parties.As a favor to friend on the Houston on city council, he agreed to serve as acting administrator of Valley View Nursing Home in 1969 following the unexpected resignation of the incumbent. Ultimately he served as Administrator of Valley View for 15 years, supervising several expansions to the facility.Since his retirement he continued to stay an active member of the community. He was named Mr. Rushford for the 1980 Homecoming celebration. His strong interest in municipal and school district affairs led him to begin writing a weekly column in the Tri-County Record newspaper. For the past six years he has reported various community issues, his personal commentary on those issues, and reminiscence of life in past years. The Minnesota Newspaper Association commended him for his unique contributions in community journalism in January 2005. During that time he continued his support of the local sports teams and players, the Vikings, Twins, and Gophers. He was recognized, along with his friend, the late Ted Roberton, with an annual Miller-Roberton Golf Tournament at Ferndale Country Club, Art was a mentor and friend to many generations of the greater Rushford area business people and residents. He is survived by his wife of nearly 56 years, Marian (Iverson), sons Michael (Susan) of Scottsdale, Arizona and James (Terri) of North Oaks, Minnesota, daughters Mary Jo (John) Matschke of Stillwater, Minnesota and Debra (Dennis) Duffy of North Oaks, Minnesota as well as seven grandchildren and four great grandchildren. His personal presence will be greatly missed but his inspiration will live on in all of us.