He purchased the Washington Missourian newspaper in 1937 and started the Missourian Publishing company.
James L. Miller, Sr., was inducted into the Missouri Press Association's Hall of Fame in 1991 along with Joseph Pulitzer founder of the St. 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.