Samuel Freeman Miller

Samuel Freeman Miller: Keokuk's Respected Jurist and Beloved Citizen

written by Erika Barrett

Early Life and Career: From Medicine to Law

Samuel Freeman Miller, born on April 5, 1816, in Richmond, Kentucky, began his career far from the hallowed halls of the U.S. Supreme Court. Initially, Miller pursued medicine, earning his degree from Transylvania University in 1838. He practiced as a physician in Barbourville, Kentucky, for eight years. During this time, he married Lucy Ballinger, a union that introduced him to a legal path he had not previously considered. While living with his wife’s family, Miller began reading law books from the library of Judge James F. Ballinger, his father-in-law, which ultimately led to a life-changing decision. By 1847, Miller had shifted his focus entirely from medicine to law, being admitted to the bar in the very town where he had once been a practicing physician.

A Staunch Emancipationist and Move to Keokuk

Miller’s strong abolitionist views, highly unpopular in the slave state of Kentucky, drove him to seek a new life in Keokuk, Iowa, in 1850. His arrival in Keokuk was marked by modest beginnings. He stayed at the Guyger House, where an unexpected reunion with an old schoolmate, "Bill" Clark, Keokuk’s first mayor, helped him establish valuable connections. Through Clark’s introduction, Miller formed a law partnership with Lewis R. Reeves, which quickly proved successful, catapulting him into prominence in Iowa's legal community. Miller's opposition to slavery was unwavering, and when Kentucky’s constitutional convention adopted strict anti-emancipation measures in 1848, he realized the futility of his efforts in his home state, prompting his move to the more progressive environment of Iowa.

Personal Tragedy and a New Beginning

Miller’s life in Keokuk was marked by both professional success and personal tragedy. In 1854, his law partner, Lewis R. Reeves, passed away, and not long after, Miller suffered the devastating loss of his first wife, Lucy, who left him with three young daughters. The dual loss left Miller deeply affected, yet it also led to a new chapter in his personal life.

Approximately two and a half years after the death of his wife, Miller married Mrs. Reeves, the widow of his late partner and his good friend. The marriage brought Miller two additional children, a son and a daughter. This union not only provided stability for Miller’s family but also underscored the close-knit nature of his relationships in Keokuk, where professional and personal lives were deeply intertwined.

Rise to National Prominence and Supreme Court Appointment

Miller’s legal acumen did not go unnoticed, and his reputation rapidly grew. By 1862, just twelve years after relocating to Keokuk, he was nominated by President Abraham Lincoln to the U.S. Supreme Court. His nomination was confirmed unanimously by the Senate, an exceptional honor as it bypassed the usual committee review. Over his 28 years on the bench, Miller was instrumental in shaping the post-Civil War legal landscape, particularly in his decisions regarding the Fourteenth Amendment and civil liberties during wartime.

Miller’s Idiosyncrasies and Beloved Status in Keokuk

Despite his national prominence, Miller maintained strong ties to Keokuk, returning often to visit friends and manage his properties. He was known for his simple habits and deep connection with ordinary citizens. Miller frequently rode the streetcars and herdics alongside "colored washerwomen and laboring men," often paying their fares—a gesture that endeared him to the community. His humility and approachability contrasted sharply with the lofty status of his position, as he "would talk to anyone," making him a beloved figure in Keokuk.

Miller’s unpretentious nature extended to his personal beliefs and practices. He was a firm advocate for hard work, famously stating, "if everybody had the ambition to work that I had, there would be no drones in the world." Even during his final visit to Keokuk, he marveled at the city’s industrial growth, inspecting every manufacturing establishment and expressing his "abiding faith" in the people of Keokuk to succeed in their endeavors.

The Community's Mourning and Legacy

Miller’s death in 1890 was a moment of profound sorrow both nationally and locally. The Supreme Court adjourned in his honor, and President Harrison ordered flags at half-mast. In Keokuk, the news of his passing struck deeply, as the community felt the loss of a man who had been not only a prominent national figure but also a personal friend and fellow townsman. The city was called upon to perform "the most solemn duty which has ever fallen to our lot," as they prepared to honor Miller with a funeral befitting his stature.

The preparations for Miller’s funeral were extensive and marked by a deep sense of loss. "The nation mourns and dons somber hues for its loss of a great man. In this community, there comes a realization of a loss which causes deeper regret and more poignant grief." The people of Keokuk were urged to drape their homes and businesses in black, reflecting the sorrow that permeated the city. The funeral was not just a local event but one of "national importance," drawing dignitaries and citizens alike to pay their respects.

Despite his failing health, Miller had made arrangements for his burial in Keokuk’s Oakland Cemetery, alongside his first wife and two children. His commitment to Keokuk was evident in his choice to be laid to rest "among former companions and friends who have gone before."

In his later years, Miller reflected on his life and legacy, noting the toll time had taken on his body but maintaining his sharp intellect and desire to contribute. His modesty, integrity, and unwavering dedication to both his legal career and the community of Keokuk left an indelible mark, making him a figure of national importance and local affection.

Conclusion

Samuel Freeman Miller’s life was a testament to the power of perseverance, humility, and dedication to principle. His journey from a small-town doctor to one of the most influential Supreme Court justices is remarkable, but it is his deep connection to Keokuk, his unassuming nature, and his genuine care for his community that made him a beloved figure. His story is not just one of legal triumphs but of a life lived with integrity and compassion.

Sources

• Lee County Iowa Pictorial History

• Centennial Crisis: The Disputed Election of 1876 by William H. Rehnquist

• Occasional Addresses by George H. Williams

• Justice of Shattered Dreams: Samuel Freeman Miller and the Supreme Court During the Civil War Era by Michael A. Ross

• Constitution-Democrat, October 13, 1890: "Miller’s Memory"

• Constitution-Democrat, October 14, 1890: "Doctor and Lawyer"

• Constitution-Democrat, October 15, 1890: "Doctor and Lawyer"