Page 249 - PGM Compendium

BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCH
Of
M⸫W⸫ Abraham L. Miller

1905-1906

Abraham Lincoln Miller was born March 29, 1863 in Grand
Mound WA and lived there with his parents until 1873 when
they moved to Klickitat County. After receiving a "good,
common school education," he attended Pacific University at
Forest Grove, and afterwards studied law and was admitted to
practice in 1886. He was elected and served one term as
mayor of the City of Goldendale.

In 1888 and 1890, Miller was elected prosecuting attorney for
the counties of Klickitat, Skamania and Clark, and due to the
preponderance of workload he moved to Vancouver in 1889.
After serving one term he was reelected for a second term as
Clark County prosecuting attorney, and then in 1892 was the Republican candidate for superior
court judge. He would not be elected, however, the death of Superior Court Judge Elmer Wiswall
made it necessary to take steps to find a successor for the vacant position.
The attorneys of Vancouver, without regard to political affiliation, joined in petitioning Governor
McGraw to appoint Miller to the bench. Miller received an almost unanimous endorsement of the
members of the bar of the district. Just 31 years of age, Miller was the youngest person to ever
hold the post of Clark County Superior Court Judge. Miller was appointed on August 27, 1894 and
remained in office for ten years.

Judge Miller was active in his law practice after leaving the bench, and argued before the United
States Supreme Court. He also associated with the prosecuting attorney's office and successfully
prosecuted a celebrated case, State v. Maude Johnson, against a woman accused of defrauding the
Northern Pacific Railway with hundreds of false injury claims all over the country.

Abraham Lincoln Miller was made a Mason in Mt Hood Lodge No. 32 in Vancouver. He would
serve as its Master in 1889-1890. He would be elected Grand Master of our jurisdiction in 1905.
Beyond the Blue Lodge, M⸫W⸫ B Miller served as Grand High Priest of the Grand Chapter of
Royal Arch Masons in 1908 and 1909. The Order of Eastern Star also claimed him as he was its
Grand Patron in 1902.

The Honorable & Most Worshipful Abraham Lincoln Miller would be called to the Celestial
Lodge above on November 15, 1927.