Warner Miller

Warner Miller (August 12, 1838 – March 21, 1918) was a Representative and a United States Senator from New York.

Birth and early life

Miller was born in Hannibal, Oswego County, New York on August 12, 1838. He attended the common schools and the Charlottesville Academy. He graduated from Union College, Schenectady, New York, in 1860.

Early career and military service

He became a professor of Latin and Greek in the Fort Edward Collegiate Institute. During the American Civil War, he enlisted as a private in the Fifth Regiment, New York Volunteer Cavalry in 1861. He was promoted to the rank of sergeant major and lieutenant. He was taken prisoner at the Battle of Winchester. He was exchanged and honorably discharged. He engaged in agricultural pursuits and was the founder of a wood-pulp business. He developed new techniques for paper production and was president of the American Paper & Pulp Association. His son, Burr Churchill Miller, became a sculptor.

Career in public service

Miller was a member of the New York State Assembly (Herkimer Co.) in 1874 and 1875. He was elected as a Republican to the 46th and 47th United States Congresses, holding office from March 4, 1879, to July 26, 1881, when he resigned. He was elected as a Republican in 1881 to the United States Senate to fill the vacancy caused by the resignation of Thomas C. Platt and served from July 27, 1881, to March 4, 1887. He was an unsuccessful candidate for re-election in 1887. He was Chairman of the Committee on Agriculture and Forestry (48th and 49th Congresses). He ran for Governor of New York at the New York state election, 1888, but was defeated by the incumbent Democrat David B. Hill. Miller was Chairman of the Special Tax Commission of the State of New York in 1906.

Later years

He retired and resided in Herkimer, New York. He died in New York City, March 21, 1918 and was interred in Oak Hill Cemetery, Herkimer, N.Y.