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James Francis Miller began practicing law in Gonzales
about 1857. In 1861, James joined the Confederacy as a
member of Terry's Rangers and remained with this famous
company until it was captured in 1865. After the war,
he returned to Gonzales and resumed his law practice.
In 1868, Miller joined with W.B. Sayers to form the Miller and
Sayers banking establishment. That same year, he purchased
the lots where he would later build his home. He organized
the Gonzales Presbyterian Sunday School in 1876, served as
the first president of the Texas Livestock Association and was
the first president of the Texas Banker's Association. Miller
was elected as district representative to the 48th congress in
1883 and was re-elected to the 49th Congress. He declined
to run for a third term.
J.F. MILLER HOUSE
121 St. Joseph Street
Although Miller purchased the lots in 1868, he did not
begin his Greek Revival style home, named "Walnut
Ridge," until the late 1800s. There is some disagreement
about the architect but most agree it was either, J. Riely
Gordon or Wahrenberger, who designed this magnificent
home and construction was completed in 1901. It was
built of brick with a slate roof. There are fourteen large
rooms, an attic and a basement. Bricks were made by
Gonzales Sunset Brick and Tile Company. Six cedar
trees were planted in front by Colonel Amasa Turner in
1872 (Miller's father-in-law). The house had an eighteen
thousand gallon underground cistern with a charcoal
filter so that when the river water became murky, it was
shut off from the house and the cistern water was used.
Photograph By Albrecht Photography
Historical Photo courtesy of Gonzales County Archives
Vestige of Grandeur
