Henry was born in Brackenheim, Germany. His name at birth was Heinrich Alfred Kreiser, son of Christian Johann Kreiser and Christine Dorath Fischer. He was a butcher when he arrived in the U.S. at New York. Later he came to California and worked at his trade. He eventually got into the cattle business, partnered with Charles Lux, and became the wealthiest man in California during his time, known as a cattle baron. He had his name legally changed to Henry Miller by the California state legislature, the only person to ever do so.

Henry married Miss Sarah Elizabeth Wilmarth Sheldon, a lady of culture and refinement. They had two daughters and a son:
* Henry Miller Jr 1862-1907
* Mrs James Leroy Nickel 1865-1944
* Sarah Alice, killed by a runaway horse 1871-1879

Henry's most notable achievement, among many, was the organization and control of the San Joaquin and Kings River Canal and Irrigation Company. Several pages have been devoted to this remarkable man in John Outcalt's 1925 publication of "The History of Merced County."6679