- Among those who were interested in the railroads of our country
when first put in operation, was
- Colonel Ezra MILLER, who became widely known as the inventor
of what is known as the "Miller Platform Coupler and Buffer."
He was born May 12, 1812, in Bergen county, opposite Fort Washington,
his parents removing to New York city a few years later, eventually
becoming residents of Flushing, L. I. Here Mr. MILLER spent his
boyhood days, receiving a thorough English education. In September
1833, he enlisted in a company of horse artillery belonging to
the Second Regiment, First Brigade, New York Militia, in which
he was promoted to the Colonency in 1S42. In 1848, Colonel Miller
removed with his family to Rock county, Wisconsin, and engaged
in surveying United States and state lands. Having become identified
with the interests of the state, he was appointed in 1851, by
Governor Dewey, to the Colonelcy of the Eighth Wisconsin Regiment,
an office he continued to hold during his residence in the state.
The following year he was elected to the State Senate, serving
one term, but declining a second nomination. About this time,
his attention being called to defects in the matter of car coupling,
which was causing accidents resulting in great loss of life,
he began investigations looking toward a remedy. His great "Platform
Coupler and Buffer" was the result of his perseverance.
At the time of his death, Colonel MILLER was representing Bergen
county as senator.
- Colonel MILLER was married in May, 1841, to Miss Amanda,
daughter of Captain Seth
- MILLER, of New York. They had five children, Amanda J., wife
of Marshall L. Hinman, of Dunkirk, N.Y.; Ezra W., our subject;
Harriet M., wife of John H. VAN KIRK, of New York; Jordan G.,
and Dr. Frank P.
- Ezra W. MILLER was born May 26, 1845, at Fort Hamilton, N.Y.
His earlv life was spent in
- Wisconsin, where his classical studies were prosecuted at
Racine College, from which institution he was graduated in the
class of 1865.
- Returning to the East, he was for some time engaged in the
wholesale drug trade, subsequently
- becoming associated with his father in New York, in connection
with the business of his inventions. In 1874, he removed with
his father to Mahwah, N.J., where they erected a mansion known
as the "Owena," a fine establishment which Mr. MILLER
is at present conducting as a hotel with good success. This is
a beautiful place, commanding a fine view of the surrounding
country.
- He was married in 1870 to Caroline I. ROLLINS, daughter of
True W. ROLLINS, of Brooklyn,
- N.Y. They have one daughter, Adele R. In politics Mr. MILLER
is a Democrat. He is a member of the Episcopal Church, and of
the Roval Arcanum.
- Mr. MILLER's mother died in 1881, and his father in 1885.
-
- [Taken from "History of Bergen County, New Jersey"
by J. M. Van Valen; (c)1900 New Jersey Publishing & Engraving
Co., New York; pp. 209-210]
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