Ervin
M. Minard
(1857-1923)
Ervin M. Minard was born on the Fourth of July 1857 in Scio, Harrison County, OH, the son of Daniel and Rebecca (Knouff) Minard. He inherited the farm of his pioneer grandfather, and a local newspaper once said that he gave out "good council to all those about him in time of need." His life is profiled at length in the History of Carroll and Harrison Counties, Ohio.
The month after his birth, Ervin was
baptized at the Zion Lutheran Church in Germano, German Township, Harrison
County.
In 1887, Ervin married Margaret Buxton (1851-1935), a native of Washington County, PA. She was the daughter of Haddon and Julia (McCrea) Buxton of Stock Township, Harrison County. Ervin was six years younger than his bride.
The Minards had three children -- Pearl McClain, Julia Law and Grace Minard.
Said the History of Carroll and Harrison:
For four years after his marriage Mr. Minard was engaged in farming in Stock Township, and he then, in 1892, assumed ownership of his present attractive homestead farm in North Township, where he is the owner of a valuable and well improved estate of 240 acres, besides which he retains one-fourth interest in his father's old home farm of 200 acres. It is thus to be readily understood that he stands as one of the representative exponents of farm industry in his native county, where his loyalty has been shown in his ready support of measures and projects advanced for the civic and material good of the community.
The
next-closest town to the Minard homeplace was Scio. A rare old postcard view of
Scio's Main Street is seen here, postmarked 1910.
Over the years, they are known to have enjoyed attending the Carrollton Fair in nearby Carroll County, OH. Ervin once traveled to Burgettstown, Washington County, PA to visit relatives. Then, a newspaper said, he planned to "go on east, expecting to buy live stock before returning."
The History of Carroll and Harrison said he had "found ample opportunity for successful achievement as an agriculturist and stock-grower, with which important lines of industrial activity the family name has been associated in North Township since the pioneer period in the history of the county."
Oil later was discovered on their farm. An 1899 Cadiz Republican article said "The Minard heirs have a nice production of oil on the Daniel Minard farm a mile west of town, in which E.M. holds a good interest."
The
Minards' farm was located less than a mile from the famed factory of Scio China (seen here).
In 1923, plagued by uremic poisoning, Ervin went to Presbyterian Hospital in Pittsburgh for treatment. There, he "suffered intensely … more than tongue can tell or mind conceive and all with patience and without murmur to those near and dear to him. He had said to those about him on Sunday evening previous to leaving 'that he would get all right, and if I don't it will be all right'."
He died from the disease at the hospital on April 12, 1923, and
was buried at Grandview Cemetery at Scio.
Margaret outlived him by 13 years. She suffered from heart disease and hardening of the arteries. She died of their effects at the age of 83 on April 8, 1935.
Ervin’s sons in law Berlin D. Law and Everett Othello McClain also are profiled in the History. Of Berlin Law, the book said he was "one of the progressive farmers of the younger generation in North Township, where he maintains his residence upon his excellent farm of 120 acres and is vigorously directing his attention to diversified agriculture and stock-growing.
Daughter
Pearl Minard who married Everett McClain, was "a student of the literary
department of Scio College" circa 1903, said the Republican. Said
the Scio Herald, Everett was “a member of the Scio Presbyterian church
for 60 years and served as an elder. He was a seventh degree member of Grange
and master of the Mt. Hope Grange for years.” Seen here, the History
lauded his "confidence and resourcefulness in his independent activities as an
agriculturalist and stock-grower." It added that from 1906 to 1912, Everett
worked as a tank builder in the oil fields of this section of the state, besides
having been for a part of the time associated with the building of bridges on
the line of the Pennsylvania Railroad."
Granddaughter Margaret McClain (1910-1008) was married to Dr. Robert D. Walter for 58 years. They resided in Calhoun, GA and had three children -- Larry Walter, Lynn Walter and Louise Baxley. Said a newspaper, "She was a member of the Calhoun First Presbyterian Church and was an Elder serving in other activities, Sunday School, kindergarten, the Idabelle Hillhouse Circle Bible Class and Adult Sunday School Class. She was active in the Ladies Medical Auxiliary and seventh district medical group serving as president. She gave immunizations to school children. She was a Voluntary Action Service member for 33 years, did hospital work by teaching LPNs and organizing the Candy Stripers and serving as a Pink Lady. She organized the Sequoyah Garden Club and was the first president. She was active in the PTA and other school activities and was an R.N. graduating from Ohio Valley Hospital in Wheeling, West Virginia." Margaret passed away on July 16, 2008, at the age of 97, in Gordon Hospital in Calhoun.
Grandson Charles Minard McClain (1912- ? ) married Bernice Avis Crabtree in 1933. They had two sons -- Bernard Charles McClain and Darryl Gene McClain.
Copyright © 2001, 2008 Mark A. Miner