Seaver A. Miller (Digital image provided by of Church of St. Luke, the Beloved Physician, photo donated by the church to the Saranac Lake Free Library in 2011) Born: November 20, 1867
Died: December 10, 1963
Married:
Children:
Seaver Asbury Miller was the son of Van Buren Miller; he served as clerk of the Saranac Lake village for thirty years, starting in 1896, in which position he carried out duties normally performed by a village attorney; he was also clerk of the water board. Starting on January 1, 1900, he was elected Justice of the Peace for the Town of Harrietstown, a position he would hold for 29 years. He was elected Mayor of Saranac Lake in 1931. He was also the first secretary of the General Hospital. He lived in the Miller home at 24 Main Street. He served as Warden of Church of St. Luke, the Beloved Physician.
He was a correspondent for the New York Times. The 1902 Adirondack Directory listed him as "Surveyor, Notary Public and Conveyancing", with his office at 11 Main Street.
Source: John J. Duquette, "The Magnificent Millers, SL's First Family", Adirondack Daily Enterprise, March 10, 1990, p.2
Saranac Lake and the Olympics, 1932, Currier PressAdirondack Daily Enterprise, December 10, 1963
Seaver Miller Dead at 96; Saranac Lake First Family
By EVELYN OUTCALT
Saranac Lake lost its second political figure in two days when Seaver A. Miller, 96, active in local affairs since 1898, died this morning at St. Margaret's Nursing Home. Fred C. Conrad, former mayor and supervisor of the Town of Harrietstown died Sunday.
Mr. Miller was a member of one of the families who founded Saranac Lake, his great grandfather was the first supervisor of the Town of Harrietstown and his father and brother also served terms as supervisors. He served as mayor, president of the board of education, secretary of the board of trade, justice of the peace, town clerk and chairman of the local chapter of the Red Cross during World War I.
Seaver A. Miller. Undated.His great-grandfather, Capt. Pliny Miller, a veteran of the War of 1812, came to Saranac Lake from Troy and purchased 300 acres of land on the Saranac River and established a sawmill there. His son, Hilyer, built a homestead which was torn down when the George LaPan Highway was built. The homestead, itself, played a part in Saranac Lake history and housed the village's first general store, the post office, the first meat market, the town offices (from 1891 to 1902) and for a time, Mr. Miller's father, Van Buren Miller, used it as an office for his work as justice of the peace.
Mr. Miller's own political career began when in 1898, six years after the incorporation of the village, he was named its fifth clerk. Although he was a life-long Democrat he often received the support of both parties.
He was elected mayor in 1931 and served four years without compensation. He was endorsed by both parties in 1933 and was sought as a fusion candidate in 1933 but refused to run.
Mr. Miller was a staunch advocate of the village manager plan which was established in Saranac Lake in 1929.
A public speaker of considerable charm, Mr. Miller's appearances before civic and business organizations always attracted large and appreciative audiences. He often drew upon his knowledge of Adirondack history in these addresses and is said to have used his charm to endear Saranac Lake to visitors.
He was a member of the New York State Council of Mayors and through the council made suggestions regarding amendments to village law which were adopted by the legislature and enacted. He also lectured at St. Lawrence University in 1933 on problems of village government.
Mr. Miller entered St. Margarets Nursing Home in 1960. His mother was the former Sarah Malbone.
Survivors are eight nephews, Herman Rice of Saranac Lake, Seaver Rice of South Bridge, Mass., Irving Rice of Providence, R. I., Sturgis Rice of Plainville, Mass., Lloyd Miller of Cos Cob, Conn., Herbert Miller of Dover, N.H., Frederick Morris of Richmond, Va., and Herbert Morris of San Antonio Tex.
Friends may call at the Fortune Funeral Home until 1 p. m. Thursday when the body will be taken to the Church of St. Luke the Beloved Physician where a service will be held at 2 p. m. Interment will be in May in the family plot in Pine Ridge Cemetery.
Vestrymen of St. Luke's Church will be pallbearers.
For an article written by Seaver Miller, see the January 25, 1898 article in the Plattsburgh Daily Press on the Lumbering page.
