 Miner was born Ezra Allen Miner in Vevay Township, near Onondaga, Ingham County, Michigan on December 27, 1846.He never legally changed his first name (which he evidently didn't like), but regarded William Allen Miner as his true name throughout most of his life.He was arrested for the first time in 1866 in San Joaquin County, California and served time there.