JOHN MILLER, the first governor of North Dakota, was born in Dryden, New York on October 29, 1843. His education was limited and attained in the common schools of his native state. In 1878, he established a successful farming company in the Dakota Territory. Miller first entered politics as a member of the 1889 Territorial Council of Dakota. He next secured the Republican gubernatorial nomination, and was elected governor by a popular vote in the 1889 general election. During his tenure, the state government was formed; and the Louisiana Lottery was denied entry into the state. After declining to run for reelection, Miller retired from political life. He returned to his various farming interests, as well as establishing a successful wheat mill company in Minnesota. Governor John Miller passed away on October 26, 1908.