He served in World War I and later worked as a reporter for the Kansas City Star and Times, in Kansas City, Missouri. He purchased the Washington Missourian newspaper in 1937 and started the Missourian Publishing company, in Washington, Missouri. His family now resides in Missouri and still owns the Washington Missourian newspaper.
James L. Miller, Senior, was inducted into the Missouri Press Association"s Hall of Fame in 1991 along with Joseph Pulitzer founder of the Saint Louis Post-Dispatch, William Rockhill Nelson founder of the Kansas City Star, and Joseph Charless founder of The Missouri Gazette. He received the National Newspaper Association James O. Amos Award for distinguished service and leadership in 2003.
