Azariel Blanchard Miller
Encyclopedia
Azariel Blanchard Miller (September 5, 1878 – April 13, 1941) was an American
farmer, rancher, and developer credited with founding the city of Fontana, California
, in 1913. Miller Park, Miller Avenue, and Fontana A.B. Miller High School are community landmarks named after him.
or Richlands, North Carolina
, to Joseph Kempster Miller and Eliza (Blanchard) Miller, he spent his childhood in Washington, D.C.
before finishing his schooling in Riverside, California
. He also attended one year at Claremont College in Pomona, California
.
His brother Kempster Blanchard Miller
(1870–1933) was an electrical engineer and executive with the Kellogg Switchboard & Supply Company
(1899–1904) , and wrote what has been considered the seminal textbook on the telephone technology of the time, "American Telephone Practice".
He was also the uncle of Ruth Miller
, also known as Ruth Blanchard Miller or Ruth Kempster, a renowned California artist whose works were exhibited at the 1932 Olympics.
The town was renamed Fontana in 1913.
He was also founder and first director of the First National Bank of Fontana (later acquired by Citizens Business Bank)
, California
, at the age of 62.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
farmer, rancher, and developer credited with founding the city of Fontana, California
Fontana, California
Fontana is a city of 196,069 residents in San Bernardino County, California. Founded in 1913, it remained essentially rural until World War II, when entrepreneur Henry J. Kaiser built a large steel mill in the area...
, in 1913. Miller Park, Miller Avenue, and Fontana A.B. Miller High School are community landmarks named after him.
Personal life
Miller was born in either Redlands, CaliforniaRedlands, California
Redlands is a city in San Bernardino County, California, United States. As of the 2010 census, the city had a population of 68,747, up from 63,591 at the 2000 census. The city is located east of downtown San Bernardino.- History :...
or Richlands, North Carolina
Richlands, North Carolina
Richlands is a town in Onslow County, North Carolina, United States. The 2005 estimated population was 827. It is included in the Jacksonville, North Carolina Metropolitan Statistical Area.-Geography:...
, to Joseph Kempster Miller and Eliza (Blanchard) Miller, he spent his childhood in Washington, D.C.
Washington, D.C.
Washington, D.C., formally the District of Columbia and commonly referred to as Washington, "the District", or simply D.C., is the capital of the United States. On July 16, 1790, the United States Congress approved the creation of a permanent national capital as permitted by the U.S. Constitution....
before finishing his schooling in Riverside, California
Riverside, California
Riverside is a city in Riverside County, California, United States, and the county seat of the eponymous county. Named for its location beside the Santa Ana River, it is the largest city in the Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario metropolitan area of Southern California, 4th largest inland California...
. He also attended one year at Claremont College in Pomona, California
Pomona, California
-2010:The 2010 United States Census reported that Pomona had a population of 149,058, a slight decline from the 2000 census population. The population density was 6,491.2 people per square mile...
.
His brother Kempster Blanchard Miller
Kempster Blanchard Miller
Kempster Blanchard Miller was an American engineer, author, and businessman. He is known for his many writings in the field of electrical engineering, electrical design, and the early telephone industry...
(1870–1933) was an electrical engineer and executive with the Kellogg Switchboard & Supply Company
Kellogg Switchboard & Supply Company
Kellogg Switchboard & Supply Company was a major manufacturer of telephone exchange equipment. It was founded in Chicago, Illinois, by Milo G. Kellogg, an electrical engineer...
(1899–1904) , and wrote what has been considered the seminal textbook on the telephone technology of the time, "American Telephone Practice".
He was also the uncle of Ruth Miller
Ruth Miller
Ruth Blanchard Miller was an American artist.Miller was born to Kempster Blanchard Miller and Antha Miller in Chicago, Illinois...
, also known as Ruth Blanchard Miller or Ruth Kempster, a renowned California artist whose works were exhibited at the 1932 Olympics.
Founding of Fontana
Upon purchasing 17,000 acres in what was first called Rosena in 1905, Miller used 200 horses, mules, plows and scrapers to transform the area into citrus fruit orchards, poultry and cattle farms.The town was renamed Fontana in 1913.
Businessman, Developer
Miller was President of Fontana Farms (citrus), Fontana Land Company, Fontana Union Water Company (still in operation), Fontana Power Company, B. B. Company, and Miller Livestock Company.He was also founder and first director of the First National Bank of Fontana (later acquired by Citizens Business Bank)
Community Involvement
- President of the State Agricultural Society, 1931–38;
- Ex officio Regent for the University of California 1931-1938, then appointed to fill unexpired term of Regent Gallwey, 1938–41;
- Member of the Chambers of Commerce for both Los Angeles and San Bernardino;
Death
Miller died on April 13, 1941 in FontanaFontana, California
Fontana is a city of 196,069 residents in San Bernardino County, California. Founded in 1913, it remained essentially rural until World War II, when entrepreneur Henry J. Kaiser built a large steel mill in the area...
, California
California
California is a state located on the West Coast of the United States. It is by far the most populous U.S. state, and the third-largest by land area...
, at the age of 62.