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Miller,[1] Burchard[2]

Cattle rancher and land owner.[1] (April 17, 1803 – March 26, 1867)[2]

Father of Laura Miller.[21]

Miller partnered with Henry Francis Fisher in 1839 to organize the San Saba Company to explore the San Saba River country for the possibilities of European immigration. On February 8, 1842, Miller and Fisher joined Joseph Baker in an application to President Sam Houston for a land grant between the Llano and Colorado rivers. The colonization contract was granted on June 7.[3]

In March of 1863, Miller and his daughter Laura settled on a piece of land Miller had held in reserve[2] in Tulare Meadow in Little Bend, Texas and established the Miller Ranch.[1]

Sometime late in 1864,[2] Jessie Hayden began buying out other smaller ranchers in the area, and began aggressive attempts to obtain the Miller Ranch. Miller and Hayden became bitter rivals.[1]

On March 26, 1867,[2] Hayden ambushed Miller on the open range and killed him. With no others in sight, Hayden left Miller's body to be found, apparently thrown from his horse. The Miller Ranch fell to Miller's daughter Laura to own and operate.[1]

See: Trail West to Fury