Miller entered public service in 1880, elected as a city councilman while working as a printer.

Elected president of the council in 1882, he also worked for the Harrisburg Telegraph as a foreman in the composing room from 1881 to 1885.

[3] In 1885, he resigned after being elected to the Pennsylvania House of Representatives as a member of the Republican ticket for the city district.

[4] In 1915, Miller was elected to be the first president of the Harrisburg Councilman Association.

[5] Following the death of Mayor Ezra S. Meals, Miller was unanimously elected as mayor by the city council on May 15, 1917, fulfilling his lifelong ambition to serve as the city's chief executive.