Samuel Freeman Miller
Associate Justice U.S. Supreme Court, 1862-1890
Born in Richmond, Kentucky, April 5, 1816; died in Washington, D.C., October 12, 1890. He graduated with honors at Transylvania College of Medicine, June, 1838. Having located in Barbourville in 1837, he studied law while practicing medicine, being admitted to the bar, March 22, 1847. He was dissatisfied with the pro-slavery article in Kentucky's constitution of 1849-50 and moved to the free state of Iowa (Keokuk), where he led in the organization of the Republican Party. His renown as a lawyer caused President Lincoln to appoint him to the Court, July 16, 1862, the Senate unanimously confirming the appointment at once. He was the most able jurist on the bench until his death. Justice John Marshall Harlan said of him: "It is safe to say that, with the exception of Chief Justice John Marshall, no American Judge has made a deeper impression upon the jurisprudence of this country than he."
Marker can be reached from East Main Street (U.S. 25) near North 1st Street.
Courtesy hmdb.org
