Amos
Bartholomew
Minard
(1852-1915)
Amos
Bartholomew Minard was born on Sept. 8, 1852 in Scio, Harrison County, OH,
the son of Daniel and Rebecca (Knouff)
Minard. He was a literate and learned man who ultimately spelled his name
with the "a."
At age 20,
in 1872, Amos attended Scio College (seen here) but did not graduate. He is mentioned in Joseph T. Harrison’s 1927 book,
The Story of the Dining Fork, which
details early students at the college, and lists his name among “Nongraduates.”
(The college later merged into Mount Union College.)
A lover of books, and with excellent writing skills, Amos may be the same "Minerd" who helped organize a literary society at Locust Grove, near Cadiz, in 1886, which drew "very large" crowds. When his father died in 1897, Amos wrote a touching and thoughtful obituary for the Harrison News.
The Cadiz Republican once said that
"His part of the struggle of life's work was that of a traveling salesman
until [1906], at which time he retired to farm life. He was of a kind
disposition and an obliging neighbor; was also a great reader and an interesting
conversationalist. He was a firm believer in a Supreme Power, and lived and died
believing that our good deeds go not unawarded."
In 1883, in Springfield, Greene County, MO, Amos was wed to Fannie C. Gill ( ? - ? ). She was a native of Neosho, Newton County, MO. It is not known if the newlyweds made their home in Missouri, or in Ohio, or elsewhere.
Unfortunately, the marriage did not last. They were divorced in about 1890 after she moved out of their home.
Amos was close with one of his second cousins, Louise "Lucy" (Minard) Clark, of Mt. Vernon, OH, the daughter of Thomas G. Minard. The Clarks named their son “Amos B.” Clark in his honor. When he died, Amos left $500 in cash to the boy. In his will, he also bequeathed $500 to Mrs. Emma Ogier, of Marion, OH. Her relationship to Amos is not spelled out, so it can only be inferred.
He and his mother often paid visits of several days to his sister Eunice Morgan in the nearby town of Cadiz.
Amos suffered from bronchial pneumonia, and
his sister Andora came from her home
in Greenville, OH, to give him comfort. On Aug. 9, 1915, he died from its
effects. He was buried at the New Rumley Lutheran Church, directly beside his
parents. Sadly, Andora became ill immediately, was unable to attend the funeral,
and died within the week.
In his will, Amos left the remainder of his estate to his nephew, Harry C. Minard, whose father John had been declared “an insane person” and was institutionalized at a state hospital.
Copyright © 2001, 2008 Mark A. Miner