Spencer G. Millard
Encyclopedia
Spencer Gurdon Millard was an American
Republican
politician
, lawyer
and school teacher
. He was elected as the 20th Lieutenant Governor of California
, his term to run from 1895 to 1899, but died in office within the first year.
He was born in Ionia, Michigan
, the son of Gurdon J. Millard (c. 1830-?) and Joanna Freeman (c. 1834-?). His sister was Frances M. Millard (c. 1854-c. 1891), who died in India
, where she went as a missionary
. Millard attended Hillsdale College
, where he studied for several years, graduating from the institution in 1877. He then obtained a teaching position at the grade school
in Carson City, Michigan
, and served in the capacity as principal for about three years.
In about 1880, he began the study of law
with William O. Webster, an attorney at Ionia, and after studying for about two years he was admitted to the bar
. He then became a member of the firm
of Webster & Millard, in which he was engaged in the practice of law
until he removed to Los Angeles, California
, in 1887.
On June 17, 1885, Millard and Ida N. Hall (1860–1952) were married in Ionia. They had two children, Spencer J. Millard (1888-before 1952), who was born in Ionia, Michigan, and died in Tennessee, and Gertrude Millard (1891–1979), who was born and died in Los Angeles.
In Los Angeles, Millard practiced law alone. Soon after his arrival, he built a house in the Angeleno Heights
tract. One of his first public appearances in politics
was at the Republican City Convention in the fall
of 1892, when John Q. Tufts
was nominated for Mayor
. Millard's bearing as a Presiding Officer
was seen as dignified, his decisions being usually prompt and accurate and his voice excellent, as it could be readily heard. He presided so acceptably that he was called to wield the gavel at the Republican County Convention in May 1894, when delegate
s were chosen to the State Convention, which a short time later nominated him for Lieutenant Governor.
During the campaign
following his nomination, Millard spoke for 60 consecutive nights, except Sundays, and traveled throughout the state. At the close of the campaign, when the news arrived that he was elected
, he was heard to remark that he felt very well, and, barring a slight hoarseness
, that appeared to be his condition. He had, it was said, not had a physician for 20 years, and his robust physical condition seemed to have withstood the strain of the campaign without any perceptible injury.
Shortly before the time of assembling
the Legislature
, in January 1895, Millard was ill with an attack of influenza
, which developed into pneumonia
. He was ill at home for about two months and then went to Indio
, in hope of recovering his health. Afterward, he returned to Los Angeles, and during the latter part of June went East to the home of his father, who then lived in the northern part of Michigan.
In the first week of September, he returned to California accompanied by his cousin, Jay B. Millard (1854–1936), principal of the Spring-Street School. He remained in Northern California
, spending most of the time at Shasta Springs
near Dunsmuir
, until the afternoon of Sunday, October 20, when he left Dunsmuir for Southern California
.
During the time of his illness and death, William T. Jeter
was his replacement and served out Millard's term of office. As Lieutenant Governor of California
, Millard was ex officio Regent
of the University of California
.
Spencer G. Millard died at age 39 in Los Angeles. The Lieutenant Governor was given a State Funeral
on October 27, 1895. He is interred in Angelus-Rosedale Cemetery.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
Republican
Republican Party (United States)
The Republican Party is one of the two major contemporary political parties in the United States, along with the Democratic Party. Founded by anti-slavery expansion activists in 1854, it is often called the GOP . The party's platform generally reflects American conservatism in the U.S...
politician
Politician
A politician, political leader, or political figure is an individual who is involved in influencing public policy and decision making...
, lawyer
Lawyer
A lawyer, according to Black's Law Dictionary, is "a person learned in the law; as an attorney, counsel or solicitor; a person who is practicing law." Law is the system of rules of conduct established by the sovereign government of a society to correct wrongs, maintain the stability of political...
and school teacher
Teacher
A teacher or schoolteacher is a person who provides education for pupils and students . The role of teacher is often formal and ongoing, carried out at a school or other place of formal education. In many countries, a person who wishes to become a teacher must first obtain specified professional...
. He was elected as the 20th Lieutenant Governor of California
Lieutenant Governor of California
The Lieutenant Governor of California is a statewide constitutional officer elected separately from the Governor who serves as the "vice-executive" of California. The Lieutenant Governor of California is elected to serve a four year term and can serve a maximum of two terms...
, his term to run from 1895 to 1899, but died in office within the first year.
He was born in Ionia, Michigan
Ionia, Michigan
Ionia is the largest city in, and the county seat of, Ionia County, Michigan, United States. The population was 11,394 at the 2010 census. Every late July it hosts what may be the world's largest free-admission fair...
, the son of Gurdon J. Millard (c. 1830-?) and Joanna Freeman (c. 1834-?). His sister was Frances M. Millard (c. 1854-c. 1891), who died in India
India
India , officially the Republic of India , is a country in South Asia. It is the seventh-largest country by geographical area, the second-most populous country with over 1.2 billion people, and the most populous democracy in the world...
, where she went as a missionary
Missionary
A missionary is a member of a religious group sent into an area to do evangelism or ministries of service, such as education, literacy, social justice, health care and economic development. The word "mission" originates from 1598 when the Jesuits sent members abroad, derived from the Latin...
. Millard attended Hillsdale College
Hillsdale College
Hillsdale College in Hillsdale, Michigan, United States, is a co-educational liberal arts college known for being the first American college to prohibit in its charter all discrimination based on race, religion, or sex; its refusal of government funding; and its monthly publication, Imprimis...
, where he studied for several years, graduating from the institution in 1877. He then obtained a teaching position at the grade school
Elementary school
An elementary school or primary school is an institution where children receive the first stage of compulsory education known as elementary or primary education. Elementary school is the preferred term in some countries, particularly those in North America, where the terms grade school and grammar...
in Carson City, Michigan
Carson City, Michigan
Carson City is a city in Montcalm County of the U.S. state of Michigan. As of the 2000 census, the city population was 1,191.Carson City was first platted in 1866 on land owned by R. M. Abbott, Delia Miner, and Hiram T. Sherman and recorded in 1871. The first lot was sold to Thomas Scott and two...
, and served in the capacity as principal for about three years.
In about 1880, he began the study of law
Law
Law is a system of rules and guidelines which are enforced through social institutions to govern behavior, wherever possible. It shapes politics, economics and society in numerous ways and serves as a social mediator of relations between people. Contract law regulates everything from buying a bus...
with William O. Webster, an attorney at Ionia, and after studying for about two years he was admitted to the bar
Bar association
A bar association is a professional body of lawyers. Some bar associations are responsible for the regulation of the legal profession in their jurisdiction; others are professional organizations dedicated to serving their members; in many cases, they are both...
. He then became a member of the firm
Law firm
A law firm is a business entity formed by one or more lawyers to engage in the practice of law. The primary service rendered by a law firm is to advise clients about their legal rights and responsibilities, and to represent clients in civil or criminal cases, business transactions, and other...
of Webster & Millard, in which he was engaged in the practice of law
Practice of law
In its most general sense, the practice of law involves giving legal advice to clients, drafting legal documents for clients, and representing clients in legal negotiations and court proceedings such as lawsuits, and is applied to the professional services of a lawyer or attorney at law, barrister,...
until he removed to Los Angeles, California
Los Angeles, California
Los Angeles , with a population at the 2010 United States Census of 3,792,621, is the most populous city in California, USA and the second most populous in the United States, after New York City. It has an area of , and is located in Southern California...
, in 1887.
On June 17, 1885, Millard and Ida N. Hall (1860–1952) were married in Ionia. They had two children, Spencer J. Millard (1888-before 1952), who was born in Ionia, Michigan, and died in Tennessee, and Gertrude Millard (1891–1979), who was born and died in Los Angeles.
In Los Angeles, Millard practiced law alone. Soon after his arrival, he built a house in the Angeleno Heights
Angelino Heights, Los Angeles, California
Angelino Heights is a small quarter within the Echo Park district of Los Angeles, California . It is most notable for its impressive well-kept Victorian era residences, although these are small in number...
tract. One of his first public appearances in politics
Politics
Politics is a process by which groups of people make collective decisions. The term is generally applied to the art or science of running governmental or state affairs, including behavior within civil governments, but also applies to institutions, fields, and special interest groups such as the...
was at the Republican City Convention in the fall
Autumn
Autumn is one of the four temperate seasons. Autumn marks the transition from summer into winter usually in September or March when the arrival of night becomes noticeably earlier....
of 1892, when John Q. Tufts
John Q. Tufts
John Quincy Adams Tufts was an American Republican politician from Iowa and California.The son of Servetus Tufts and Emily , John Q. was born near Aurora, Indiana or Wilton, Maine , Tufts moved to Muscatine County, Iowa, with his parents in 1852...
was nominated for Mayor
Mayor of Los Angeles, California
The mayor of Los Angeles is the chief executive officer of the city. He is elected for a four-year term and limited to serving no more than two terms. Under the California Constitution, all judicial, school, county, and city offices, including those of chartered cities, are nonpartisan...
. Millard's bearing as a Presiding Officer
Presiding Officer
In a general sense, presiding officer is synonymous with chairman.* The presiding officer of the United States House of Representatives is the Speaker of the United States House of Representatives...
was seen as dignified, his decisions being usually prompt and accurate and his voice excellent, as it could be readily heard. He presided so acceptably that he was called to wield the gavel at the Republican County Convention in May 1894, when delegate
Delegate
A delegate is a person who speaks or acts on behalf of an organization at a meeting or conference between organizations of the same level A delegate is a person who speaks or acts on behalf of an organization (e.g., a government, a charity, an NGO, or a trade union) at a meeting or conference...
s were chosen to the State Convention, which a short time later nominated him for Lieutenant Governor.
During the campaign
Political campaign
A political campaign is an organized effort which seeks to influence the decision making process within a specific group. In democracies, political campaigns often refer to electoral campaigns, wherein representatives are chosen or referendums are decided...
following his nomination, Millard spoke for 60 consecutive nights, except Sundays, and traveled throughout the state. At the close of the campaign, when the news arrived that he was elected
Election
An election is a formal decision-making process by which a population chooses an individual to hold public office. Elections have been the usual mechanism by which modern representative democracy operates since the 17th century. Elections may fill offices in the legislature, sometimes in the...
, he was heard to remark that he felt very well, and, barring a slight hoarseness
Dysphonia
Dysphonia is the medical term for disorders of the voice: an impairment in the ability to produce voice sounds using the vocal organs . Thus, dysphonia is a phonation disorder...
, that appeared to be his condition. He had, it was said, not had a physician for 20 years, and his robust physical condition seemed to have withstood the strain of the campaign without any perceptible injury.
Shortly before the time of assembling
California State Assembly
The California State Assembly is the lower house of the California State Legislature. There are 80 members in the Assembly, representing an approximately equal number of constituents, with each district having a population of at least 420,000...
the Legislature
California State Legislature
The California State Legislature is the state legislature of the U.S. state of California. It is a bicameral body consisting of the lower house, the California State Assembly, with 80 members, and the upper house, the California State Senate, with 40 members...
, in January 1895, Millard was ill with an attack of influenza
Influenza
Influenza, commonly referred to as the flu, is an infectious disease caused by RNA viruses of the family Orthomyxoviridae , that affects birds and mammals...
, which developed into pneumonia
Pneumonia
Pneumonia is an inflammatory condition of the lung—especially affecting the microscopic air sacs —associated with fever, chest symptoms, and a lack of air space on a chest X-ray. Pneumonia is typically caused by an infection but there are a number of other causes...
. He was ill at home for about two months and then went to Indio
Indio, California
Indio is a city in Riverside County, California, United States, located in the Coachella Valley of Southern California's Colorado Desert region. It lies east of Palm Springs, east of Riverside, and east of Los Angeles. It is about north of Mexicali, Baja California on the U.S.-Mexican border...
, in hope of recovering his health. Afterward, he returned to Los Angeles, and during the latter part of June went East to the home of his father, who then lived in the northern part of Michigan.
In the first week of September, he returned to California accompanied by his cousin, Jay B. Millard (1854–1936), principal of the Spring-Street School. He remained in Northern California
Northern California
Northern California is the northern portion of the U.S. state of California. The San Francisco Bay Area , and Sacramento as well as its metropolitan area are the main population centers...
, spending most of the time at Shasta Springs
Shasta Springs
Shasta Springs was the name of a popular summer resort on the Upper Sacramento River, during the late Nineteenth Century and early Twentieth Century...
near Dunsmuir
Dunsmuir, California
Dunsmuir is a city in Siskiyou County, California, United States. The population was 1,650 at the 2010 census, down from 1,923 at the 2000 census. It is currently a hub of tourism in Northern California as visitors enjoy fishing, skiing, climbing, or sight-seeing...
, until the afternoon of Sunday, October 20, when he left Dunsmuir for Southern California
Southern California
Southern California is a megaregion, or megapolitan area, in the southern area of the U.S. state of California. Large urban areas include Greater Los Angeles and Greater San Diego. The urban area stretches along the coast from Ventura through the Southland and Inland Empire to San Diego...
.
During the time of his illness and death, William T. Jeter
William T. Jeter
William Thomas Jeter was an American Democratic politician.He was born in Menard County, Illinois, the third son and eighth child of William Griffin Jeter and Elizabeth McCutchen Berry. He served as Mayor of Santa Cruz, California, from 1892 to 1894. He was the 21st Lieutenant Governor of...
was his replacement and served out Millard's term of office. As Lieutenant Governor of California
Lieutenant Governor of California
The Lieutenant Governor of California is a statewide constitutional officer elected separately from the Governor who serves as the "vice-executive" of California. The Lieutenant Governor of California is elected to serve a four year term and can serve a maximum of two terms...
, Millard was ex officio Regent
Regents of the University of California
The Regents of the University of California make up the governing board of the University of California. The Board has 26 full members:* The majority are appointed by the Governor of California for 12-year terms....
of the University of California
University of California
The University of California is a public university system in the U.S. state of California. Under the California Master Plan for Higher Education, the University of California is a part of the state's three-tier public higher education system, which also includes the California State University...
.
Spencer G. Millard died at age 39 in Los Angeles. The Lieutenant Governor was given a State Funeral
State funeral
A state funeral is a public funeral ceremony, observing the strict rules of protocol, held to honor heads of state or other important people of national significance. State funerals usually include much pomp and ceremony as well as religious overtones and distinctive elements of military tradition...
on October 27, 1895. He is interred in Angelus-Rosedale Cemetery.
External links
- UCHistory - Regents of the University of California
- Spencer G. Millard at Find A GraveFind A GraveFind a Grave is a commercial website providing free access and input to an online database of cemetery records. It was founded in 1998 as a DBA and incorporated in 2000.-History:...