Governor Nathan Lewis Miller

NATHAN L. MILLER, the forty-sixth governor of New York, was born in Solon, New York on October 10, 1868. His education was attained at Groton Union School, and then at Cortland Normal School, where he graduated in 1887. He went on to study law, and in 1893 was admitted to bar. He established a successful legal practice, as well as serving as corporation counsel for the city of Cortland. Miller first entered politics as state comptroller of New York, a position he held from 1901 to 1903. He also served as a New York Supreme Court justice from 1903 to 1913 and was a Court of Appeals judge from 1913 to 1915. Miller next secured the Republican gubernatorial nomination and was elected governor by a popular vote on November 2, 1920. During his tenure, state government was restructured; a motion picture censor commission was formed; penal reform measures were authorized; a state department of purchase and supply was established; and waterpower development was encouraged. After running unsuccessfully for reelection, Miller retired from political life. He returned to his legal career, as well as serving as director of the U.S. Steel Corporation. Governor Nathan L. Miller passed away on June 26, 1953 and was buried in the Cortland Rural Cemetery in Cortland, New York.