Josiah Miller (1828-1870) was prominent in the early history of Kansas when it was being settled by Euro-Americans. It has been asserted that it was he who proposed the motto which was included on the State Seal of Kansas ("Ad Astra per aspera," or "To the stars through difficulties"), but this is not fully documented. His business interests, which contributed to the growth of the city of Lawrence, included the publication of the Kansas Free State newspaper (1855-1856) with Robert G. Elliott, original membership in the Lawrence Bridge Company, one-third ownership of the bridge charter across the Kansas River, and corporate partnership in the Leavenworth, Lawrence and Galveston Railroad.

Miller's political activities were closely associated with the Free State movement in Kansas, or those who did not want slavery to enter the new territory. He was a member of the first state senate that met in 1861 and he later served in the state senate in 1866.

1828

Born, South Carolina, November 12, 1828, to Robert H. and Susannah (McAlliley) Miller

1851

Graduate, Indiana University (then law school), Poughkeepsie, New York

1854

Married Agnes B. Carlisle, Bloomington, Indiana, January 3, 1854

1855

Published first issue, Kansas Free State (January 3, 1855) with his partner, Robert G. Elliott

1856

Press destroyed May 21, 1856 by proslavery men during sacking of Lawrence.

Arrested by South Carolina's General Buford, acquitted. Left Lawrence to go east and campaign for presidential election of William Fremont.

Returned to Lawrence in the fall of 1856

1857

Probate Judge, Douglas County, Kansas Territory

1861

Member, first state legislature; resigned to become Lawrence postmaster

1861-1863

Lawrence postmaster

1863

Paymaster, U.S. Army with rank of major

1866

Elected to Kansas state legislature

1870

Died, July 7, Lawrence