Sam E. Miller, 51st president, was born July 13, 1867, in Rusk County. He attended  Rock Hill Institute in Minden and taught three years there.

He married Laddie Lee Sullivan in 1905. He was a traveling salesman and a banker for five years.

His first newspaper experience was as society editor of the Rusk County News. He was a correspondent of the Dallas News, Houston Post and Houston Chronicle, and regular contributor to Kalamity Bonner’s Harpoon.

He entered the newspaper business actively in 1914 when he and associates founded the Mineral Wells Hustler. The publication was soon suspended and Miller joined with C.W. Wilson in publishing the Mineral Wells Index. While the Index was sold in December 1928, Miller remained as editor.

He joined Texas Press Association in 1914.