Asher Miner

Asher Miner (November 14, 1860 – September 2, 1924) was an American businessman and military officer from Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania. He was most notable for his business career as president of the Miner-Hillard Milling Company, the largest grain milling and cereal making company in Pennsylvania, and his service in the Pennsylvania Army National Guard.

During World War I, Miner commanded the 109th Field Artillery Regiment and received the Distinguished Service Cross and Army Distinguished Service Medal for his heroism and service. After the war he commanded the 53rd Field Artillery Brigade and attained the rank of brigadier general. When he retired from the military in 1923, Miner was promoted to major general on the Pennsylvania National Guard's retired list.

Early life Asher Miner was born in Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania on November 14, 1860, the son of Charles Abbott Miner and Eliza Ross (Atherton) Miner. He attended the schools of Wilkes-Barre and Williston Seminary of Easthampton, Massachusetts. Active in local politics and government as a Republican, Miner served in the Pennsylvania House of Representatives from 1907 to 1909. In August 1898, he was appointed to command the 7th Pennsylvania Infantry Regiment. Miner resigned from the National Guard in 1912.

In 1916, Miner returned to service as commander of the 9th Pennsylvania Infantry, which was reorganized as the 3rd Pennsylvania Field Artillery Regiment. During the battle, one of Miner's batteries was providing direct support to an advancing Infantry unit and was required to move to a new position after receiving German counterbattery fire. When he left the military, Miner was promoted to major general on the Pennsylvania National Guard's retired list.

Service: Army Rank: Colonel Division: 28th Division, American Expeditionary Forces General Orders: War Department, General Orders No. 140 (1918)

Miner's Army Distinguished Service Medal citation reads:

Service: Army Rank: Colonel Division: 28th Division, American Expeditionary Forces General Orders: War Department, General Orders No. 89 (1919)

Death and burial

Miner died in Wilkes-Barre on September 2, 1924. According to contemporary news accounts, Miner suffered from a ruptured appendix, which was operated on unsuccessfully.

Family In 1889, Miner married Hetty McNair Lonsdale (1865-1922). A Veterans of Foreign Wars post in Wilkes-Barre was also named for Miner. In addition, the Wilkes-Barre Post of the Society of the 28th Division was named in Miner's honor.

The General Asher Miner Memorial at the Pennsylvania Military Museum in Boalsburg, Pennsylvania was dedicated on September 9, 1924. Miner Park, a recreational facility in Wilkes-Barre, is also named for Miner.