Raymond T. Miller

Raymond Thomas Miller, Sr. (January 10, 1893 – July 13, 1966), known locally as Ray T. Miller, was an American politician who served as the 43rd mayor of Cleveland, and the chairman of the Cuyahoga County Democratic Party for over twenty years.

Ray T. Miller
Miller in 1938
43rd Mayor of Cleveland
In office
1932–1933
Preceded byDaniel E. Morgan
Succeeded byHarry L. Davis
Personal details
Born
Raymond Thomas Miller

(1893-01-10)January 10, 1893
Defiance, Ohio, U.S.
DiedJuly 13, 1966(1966-07-13) (aged 73)
Shaker Heights, Ohio, U.S.
Political partyDemocratic
Spouse(s)
Ruth Hamilton
(
m. 1926)
ChildrenRoseanne, Ray, Ruth, Richard, Robert, Riley
Alma materNotre Dame University (LLB)

Life and career

Miller was born in Defiance, Ohio. He attended University of Notre Dame and received his Bachelor of Laws degree in 1914. He joined the Ohio National Guard and served in France during World War I. After the war, Miller began practicing law in Cleveland. In 1928, he was elected county prosecutor and had a hand in defeating the city manager plan. He defeated Daniel E. Morgan for mayor in 1931, becoming the first Democrat to serve as the city's mayor since Newton D. Baker. In his tenure, Miller reduced expenditures to cope with the misery brought by the Great Depression. He was defeated by returning Cleveland politician and former mayor, Harry L. Davis, when he attempted to run for reelection in 1933.[1]

In 1938, Miller became chairman of the Cuyahoga County Democratic Party. As chairman, he succeeded in attracting ethnic European and African American voters which allowed the Democrats to elect mayors for thirty years and obtain a Democratic majority in Cleveland City Council.[2] Miller resigned as chairman in 1964.[1]

Miller founded and owned radio stations WERE (1300 AM) and WERE-FM (98.5) in Cleveland;[3] through his Cleveland Broadcasting Incorporated name, Miller later purchased WLEC and WLEC-FM in Sandusky, Ohio;[4] and KFAC (1330 AM) and KFAC (92.3 FM) in Los Angeles, California.[5]

Death

Miller died suddenly of a heart attack at his home in Shaker Heights, Ohio, on May 21, 1966.[6] He was buried at Calvary Cemetery in Cleveland.[7]

References
  1. "Miller, Raymond Thomas". The Encyclopedia of Cleveland History. Case Western Reserve University. Retrieved August 7, 2019.
  2. Richardson, James F. "Politics". The Encyclopedia of Cleveland History. Case Western Reserve University. Retrieved August 7, 2019.
  3. FCC History Cards for WJMO
  4. "Changing hands: ANNOUNCED" (PDF). Broadcasting. January 25, 1960. p. 56. Retrieved December 18, 2019.
  5. "KFAC-AM-FM bought by Miller group" (PDF). Broadcasting. August 20, 1962. p. 66. Retrieved December 18, 2019.
  6. "Ray T. Miller Sr. Is Dead at 73". The Plain Dealer. July 14, 1966. pp. 1, 8.
  7. "Miller Rites Today at Our Lady of Peace". The Plain Dealer. July 16, 1966. p. 4.
Political offices
Preceded by
Daniel E. Morgan		 Mayor of Cleveland
1932–1933		 Succeeded by
Harry L. Davis
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