Bio-Minard, WilliamThomas

William Thomas "Bill" Minard
(1862-1948)

William Thomas "Bill" Minard was born in May 1862 (or 1863) in Barbour County, WV, the son of Margaret Minerd. His father's name is not known and most likely is lost to history. His mother later married Hiram "Poke" Mayle.

William resided in Philippi early in his adult life. On June 28, 1885, at the age of 22, he married 15-year-old Berthena Croston (1870- ? ), a native of Taylor County who was living in Barbour. The ceremony took place at the home of William's mother and step-father, with Rev. Israel Moats conducting the ceremony. "Boss Male" provided information for the couple's marriage license.

William made his living as a coal miner at the time and occasionally traveled to find work. At one point circa 1890 he mined coal in Gilmer County, WV, staying there for several weeks at a time before returning home.

The Minards' marriage was troubled and did not endure. Berthena filed for divorce in 1890, stating "he treated me so bad I couldn't live with him." In her deposition, she said that William "left one day and said he was going back to the coal bank and he never come back until I was gone, which was about two weeks afterward. He left me without anything to eat or live upon."

Philippi's famed covered bridge, built in 1852 and used by Union and Confederate soldiers during the Civil War

After their separation in 1890, Berthena went to live in the home of Jonathan "John" Mayle, and helped tend to his wife who was seriously ill following childbirth. William offered to pay John for his wife's room and board, while John paid Berthena to wash clothes. After the baby died, Berthena and John went together to the Glades in Maryland, while the wife remained behind to convalesce. William was led to believe they had "eloped," and later heard that John bought shoes for Berthena at Fred Byrer's store, hid them below the house of William's mother, and then told William's mother that John had sold all of Berthena's "things." It was clear to William that his wife had been unfaithful.

At some point, William forced an encounter with his estranged wife. It took place in the forks of the road "by Sam Watring's." In Berthena's words, "One day I was going to Taz Male's and my husband came out of the woods with a club in his hands and told me to stop. He called me all manner of scandalous names." As they argued along the road, each accused the other of adultery. Aus Male, Hanson "Hans" Croston and Andy Kennedy were present and observed the dispute. As an example of the complexity of the situation, William later asked Berthena, "Didn't you and Hans make it up between you that if you would give him a divorce to get my woman that Hans could give you a divorce to get Steve's woman?"

William also bragged to Berthena that he had a girlfriend, Lucy Ann (Ross) Collins, whom he "kept" at Ben Jones' home and for whom he had bought a dress. When Berthena asked about Lucy's "big belly" William acknowledged that he was the father of the baby. During the argument in the road, William spotted one of Berthena's ribbons on Hans Croston's hat. Hans and Berthena then left the scene of the argument, walking to retrieve Berthena's hidden clothes at the home of William's mother.

William filed for divorce, and it was finalized in late 1890 or early 1891. Both remarried almost immediately. Berthena wed Hans Croston [1872-1938] on March 22, 1891.

Three days later, William married 20-year-old Lucy Ann Ross (1871-1951), the daughter of Charles and Irene (Collins) Ross. The ceremony, states the marriage license, occurred "at the jail in Philippi,"with Rev. Moats again leading the service. Chester Male was the informant for the Minard-Ross marriage license. An effort to find a newspaper account of this unusual wedding, at the archives of West Virginia University, was unsuccessful.

William and Lucy Minard shortly thereafter moved to Athens County, OH, to the towns of Beebe and Lathrop. Daughters Grace Ellen Boehm (June 1893) and Edna Comedy (June 1896) both were born in Philippi although their births are officially on record in Ohio. There were at least 12 other children, nine of whom survived -- Oliver Minard (or "Minor"), William Thomas (or "Francis") Minard Jr., Gertrude M. "Girti" Holmes, Golda "Goldie" Adams, Myrtle Vincent, Arthur Minor, Charles E. Miner, Lester Virgil Miner Sr. and Irene M. Miner.

When the federal census was taken in 1900, William and Lucy and their six children lived in Philippi, where he labored as a coal miner.

By 1910, the family had relocated to Fairmont, Marion County, WV. The census that year shows William as a "laborer - working out," while son Oliver was employed as "laborer - street," son Willie as "laborer - working out" and daughter Gertrude "working out - private home." The census taker labeled William's race as "black" while Lucy and the children were listed as "mulatto." Their home was on Jackson Street in Fairmont, and in 1910 they had seven boarders residing there -- Herbert and Hester Dingess, Wilson Porterfield, Douglass Howard, Bertha Newman, Floyd Male and Frank Robinson.

At some point, in the mid-1910s after the birth of their youngest child, William and Lucy separated. While he has not yet been found on the 1920 census, the 1930 census suggests William was a "boarder" in the home of 55-year-old widow Lillia Newman and her three daughters in Philippi. That year, William worked as a farm hand.

In June 1925, the Minard family received the shocking news that their son Oliver, age 36 and working at a coal mine near Clarksburg, was killed in a fall of slate. See below for details.

Lucy made her home circa 1930 in Grafton, Taylor County, at the age of 59. The census-taker marked her as "negro" and married, and working as a cook in a restaurant. Living under her roof were sons Charles (age 20) and Lester (18) and daughter Irene M. (16). Residing a short distance away were her married daughters Grace Ellen Boehm and Gertrude Freeman.

While in his early 80s, William suffered from cancer of the liver. He died at age 85 on June 24, 1948, and was buried at Chestnut Ridge Cemetery. His grave is not marked. The informant on his death certificate was son William Minard of Grafton, Taylor County.

Lucy moved to Parkersburg, Wood County, WV in her later years, suffering from nephritis and hardening of the arteries. She died there on Dec. 5, 1951, at the age of 80, in the Camden Clark Hospital. In an obituary, the Grafton Sentinel reported that "Friends here have learned of the death of Mrs. Lucy Ann Minor of Parkersburg, wife of the late William T. Minor." On her death certificate, her race was labeled as "Negro." Following a funeral held at the Warren Methodist church, her remains were laid to eternal rest at Bluemont.

The "old colored section" of Bluemont Cemetery in Grafton contains hundreds of burials, virtually all of them unmarked, in the open grassy section behind the prominent entrance arch. William, Lucy and at least one son are believed to rest here anonymously.

Son Oliver Minard (1889-1925) was born on June 23, 1889 in Philippi. He spelled his name "Miner" and "Minor" as an adult. He was of medium height and stout build, with dark eyes and dark hair.

He is believed to have married Bertie Newman in July 1911, by the hand of Rev. M.W. Rider in Taylor County.

During World War I, Oliver was required to register for the U.S. military draft. At that time, he lived at 37 Addison in Grafton, and was employed as a coal miner. He claimed that his employer was the State of West Virginia and that he worked at a penitentiary. He listed his race as "black."

When the 1920 census was taken, Oliver was married to Mary (?) (1879- ? ). They lived on Garnet Street, and he labored as a coal miner. He was a full decade younger than his wife. By 1925, however, Oliver was single again, and working as a coal miner at Ocean Mines, Harrison County, WV.

Tragically, on June 4, 1925, he was killed at work while inside the mine, just a few weeks before his 36th birthday. The Clarksburg Exponent said he was caught "in a fall of coal while working in the mines of the Cortright-Corning Colleries Company at Bridgeport. [He] had been employed by the company but a short time." His remains were returned to Grafton for the funeral at the home of his parents in Grafton, with services led by Rev. Byrd of the Second Baptist Church. Oliver's broken remains were laid to rest at Bluemont Cemetery in Grafton, likely in the "old colored section."

The informant on his death certificate was Beulah Jones of Ocean Mines, connection unknown. Oliver is one of far too many cousins in our extended family to lose his life in a coal, coke or steel related accident in the workplace -- click for more.

Typical coal mining operation in Harrison and Marion Counties

Son William Thomas (or "Francis") Minard Jr. (1891-1977) married Bernadine Delores Woods (1897-1998), the daughter of John and Margaret Marie (Connely) Woods of Wheeling, Ohio County, WV. The wedding took place in 1916, when William was age 25, and Bernadine 18.

They went on to a married life spanning 62 years. Circa 1930, they made their home in Grafton, Taylor County, and he was not employed at that time. The census taker both listed then as "negro." William was a longtime coal miner and livestock dealer, and a member of the Pentecostal Mission. Bernadine, said a local newspaper, "was employed at the former Beaumont Glass Factory of Grafton.

She was a member of the Fellowship Mission Church and the Taylor County Senior Center. Although she never had any of her own children, she loved and nurtured many children.

Bernadine outlived her husband by 21 years, and celebrated her 100th birthday on Oct. 29, 1997. In her last years, she enjoyed her "good friends Paul and Dottie Crawford and Lena Saffel, all of Grafton," a newspaper said, [and] very special caregivers, Janet Minard and Ann Kismore, from the Taylor County Senior Center and a very special nurse Cindy Haller, of Hospice. Her last days were spent in the comfort of her home, surrounded by many caring friends."

She passed away on April 25, 1998, and was laid to rest in Wesley Chapel Cemetery. Bernadine's obituary was reprinted in the 2004 booklet, Taylor County Tombstones, compiled by Pam Slaton and Norma Wyckoff, and on file today at the Taylor County Public Library in Grafton.

Bird's eye view of Grafton, showing the well-known railroad roundhouse in the center foreground

Daughter Grace Ellen "Helen" Minard (1893- ? ) married Leroy Boehm (or "Boehn") (1895- ? ) on Feb. 25, 1916. She was age 22, and he 21, at the time. Rev. John W. MacPhail officiated.

When the federal census was taken in 1920, Grace lived on Fourth Street in Clarksburg, Harrison County, WV. With Leroy working away, she took in boarders Willard R. Randolph (shoe shine shop operator) and Elmer Pratt (hotel cook) to generate extra income.

The 1930 census shows her married but residing alone on Front Street in Grafton, employed as a laundress. Living next door was her married sister Gertrude Freeman who not only was raising her five children but also Grace's daughter Juanita. Their mother Lucy and younger siblings lived together in a separate dwelling a short distance away.

Daughter Gertrude "Girtie" M. Minard (1894-1965) was born in Ada, Hardin County (?), OH. She wed William H. (or "F.") Freeman (1893- ? ), a native of Greenbrier County, WV in about 1915, when she was age 21, and he was 22. They were married in Kanawha County, WV, with Julius Carroll performing the ceremony.

They lived on Browns Creek near Charleston, Kanawha County, in 1925-1930, where William worked as a tailor.

They are believed to have had nine children -- Sarah W. Johnson, Dorothy M. Marrs, Lovane Freeman, Carolyn E. Hyrams, William T. Freeman, Lucy M. Burns, Nadina Freeman, Denver S. Freeman, Sylvia Freeman and Ruth Freeman. Gertrude also helped raise her sister's daughter Juanita Boehm.

When the federal census was taken in 1930, Gertrude lived next door to her sister Grace Ellen Boehm on Grafton's Front Street. Marked as "married," she headed a household of six children. She had no listed occupation. William's whereabouts are unknown, but he may be the same William Freeman who was a coal loader boarding that year in a house in Shinnston, near Clarksburg, Harrison County, WV.

Later, Gertrude married Oscar Holmes, who had been wed once before. He brought adult children to the marriage -- Oscar Holmes, Elaine McCants and Mary Antoni.

The Holmeses lived at 1507 First Avenue in Charleston. She was a member of the First Baptist church, Order of the Eastern Star and the Boyd Gleaners Club.

Gertrude died at the age of 70 in Charleston on Dec. 11, 1965. Her obituary, including a photograph, was published in the Charleston Sunday Gazette Mail. She was laid to rest in Charleston's Spring Hill Cemetery.

Daughter Edna Clara Minard (1896-1978) married William Comedy (1894- ? ) on April 15, 1915, in Taylor County. She was age 19, and he 21, at the time. Jesse R. Jones performed the ceremony. William was a native of Wood County, WV.

In 1977, Edna lived in Pasadena, CA, and was mentioned in the Grafton Mountain Statesman obituary of her brother William.

Daughter Golda "Goldie" Minard (1898- ? ) was born in Ohio. She married Russell Adams (1894- ? ) in Taylor County on Dec. 6, 1915, when she was age 17 and he 21. Goldie's father gave his consent to the marriage, which was performed by Rev. J.W. MacPhail.

The Adamses had at least three children -- Irene Adams, Helen Adams and Adelbert Adams.

They made their home in 1920 in Elizabeth, Allegheny County, PA. The 1920 census record shows New York-born Russell as black and working in a steel mill, while Goldie was labeled as mulatto. In their home that year was young daughter Irene Adams and Goldie's unmarried sister Myrtle Minor, age 12.

By 1925, the Adamses had relocated again, to New York State, settling in York Township, Livingston County, where Russell obtained employment with a railroad. Their home was on Linwood Road in York Township, as indicated on the 1930 census.

Daughter Myrtle Minor (1907- ? ) was born on April 20, 1907, in Grafton. Apparently after her parents separated, she went to live with her married sister Goldie Adams in Elizabeth, along the Monongahela River near Pittsburgh.

Son Arthur Minor (1909-1922?) has faded from our view, for now. He may be the same Arthur Minor who died of a fractured skull on July 1, 1922, in Charleston, Kanawha County, WV. The official record of his death lists his race as "colored."

Son Charles E. Miner (1910- ? ) at age 20 lived with his mother and siblings in Grafton, where he was a laborer performing "odd jobs," as recorded on the 1930 census.

Son Lester Virgil Miner Sr. (1912- ? ) married Virginia R. Boston (1914- ? ) in Grafton in 1930, when he was age 18 and she 16. L.A.H. Moore officiated at the ceremony. Virginia was the daughter of John and Leona Boston Sr. of Grafton, all marked as "negro" on the 1930 census.

Early in 1930, Lester lived with his mother and was employed as a laborer of "odd jobs." Lester and Virginia first resided in the Grafton area and had at least two children -- Rosalie Miner and Lester Virgil Miner Jr.

Sadly, two of their offspring died in childhood -- son Lester at age 10 months on April 21, 1931, caused by measles and pneumonia; and daughter Rosalie at age three months on Jan. 5, 1932, caused by intestinal toximia. The children were buried in Bluemont Cemetery, most likely in the "old colored section."

We are investigating whether they spent their later years in New York -- with Lester passing away in January 1966, and Virginia dying on May 30, 1999, in Schenectady County -- but this all needs to be proven.

Daughter Irene M. Miner (1914- ? ) married (?) Gibson ( ? - ? ). She also may have married Ernest Owens (1910- ? ), a native of Tennessee, on March 27, 1931, in Taylor County. Rev. L.A.H. Moore performed the ceremony, the same clergyman who officiated at the wedding of Irene's brother Lester. Because Irene was age 18 at the time of her marriage to Ernest, her mother had to provide consent.