Home

What's New

Photo of the Month

Minerd.com Blog

Biographies

National Reunion

Interconnectedness

Cousin Voices

Honor Roll

In Lasting Memory

In the News

Our Mission and Values

Annual Review

Favorite Links

Contact Us

 

John Gilbert 'Gib' Miner
(1847-1919)

 

Hebron Cemetery

John Gilbert "Gib" Miner was born on April 5, 1847 (or 1848) in Gratiot, Licking County, OH, the son of Frederick and Catherine (Miller) Miner Jr. He was a longtime butcher.

Gilbert married Harriett Emily "Emma" Loncas Wright (1848-1932), the daughter of Isaac Wright. (Another source gives her father as James Loncas.)

Their nine children were Taylor Frederick "Tom" Miner, Vernon A. Minor, Roland "Rolla" A. Minor, John Irvin Miner, William Milton (or "Melton") Miner, James Campbell Minor, Mabel Davis Parsons and Clara Traver, and one who died young.

The Miners resided for decades in Hebron, Licking County, OH, where most if not all of their children were born. Also living in Licking County during that time was Jacob Miner, a first cousin of Gilbert's father, and several of Jacob's adult children, including James S. Minor and Emily Holmes.

Gilbert spent decades as a butcher. The federal census of 1870 shows 23-year-old Gilbert and 20-year-old Emma living in Hebron, with Gilbert working as a laborer. The 1870s were busy bearing and rearing children, as sons Vernon, Roland and Taylor, and daughter Clara, were born during that time. When the census again was taken in 1880, they lived in Hebron, with Gilbert working as a laborer. 

 

Trouble in 1903

In 1900, when Gilbert was 53, he and Emma and brood of a family lived under one roof in Hebron. He is shown with no occupation that year. Other family members residing there were sons Vernon, John, William and James, and married son Roland and his wife and two young sons. That summer, they hosted a visit from Gilbert's aged father, Frederick Miner, as reported by the Newark (OH) Daily Advocate. After the visit, the father returned home to Dayton, Montgomery County, OH.

In May 1903, Gilbert and his son Vernon were contracted to shear sheep for C.V. Davis near Jacksontown, OH.

The Newark Advocate reported in a prominent May 1903 article that Gilbert suffered an injury when he mistakenly drank what he thought was whiskey but turned out to be liniment. He had been visiting Columbus, and boarded a trolley car to return home to Hebron. Apparently Edward Richards, one of the men riding in the smoking compartment of the trolley, carried two different bottles, one liniment, and the other whiskey. "Three men got on the car at Columbus and seeing the bottles decided to have a drink," said the Advocate. "It seems they got the wrong bottle and took large doses of liniment." When Gilbert entered the compartment and saw the goods, he "put the bottle to his lips and before Richards could say, 'For heaven's sake Gilbert, don't drink that,' Miner had a mouthful of the stuff. Fortunately he didn't swallow any of it, but by the time he reached Hebron he was suffering intensely. By Saturday noon his tongue had swollen to twice its normal size."

Gilbert sold the family residence on Cumberland Street in August 1913, to P.W. Longstreth of Gratiot. In turn, he purchased a property on East Main Street from seller Thomas White. He "will take possession October 1," said the Newark Weekly Advocate.

 

Obituary, 1932

At age 72, Gilbert died of "organic heart disease" on Dec. 1, 1919. He was buried at Hebron Cemetery. A card of thanks published in the Newark Advocate thanked Rev. Madden "for his consoling words," Rev. Jones and Rev. Carter "for their beautiful prayers" and for "the beautiful music rendered by the ladies, to those who contributed the many beautiful floral offerings and Mr. Clunis for his efficient service."

Emma outlived her husband by 13 years. In 1920, when the federal census was taken, she was residing in Hebron with her son Vernon, who was separated and about to be divorced from his wife.

She passed away of bronchial pneumonia at age 83 on Nov. 23, 1932. She is buried with her husband.

 

~ Son Vernon A. Miner ~

 

Hebron Cemetery

Son Vernon A. Miner (1870-1955) was born in 1870.

He was a house painter and a meat cutter, residing in Hebron and Newark, and lived a controversial existence. 

In March 1908, when he was age 38, Vernon was arrested under suspicion of blowing up and robbing a safe in a hardware store in Millersport. "Never in years has the village [of Hebron] been so excited as it was Monday afternoon when the bloodhounds owned by Pearl Miller ... followed the trail ... to this place," reported the Newark Advocate. The bloodhounds "went to the home of Vernon Miner who lives directly across the street from Constable Cooperrider. When in the house they went to a wash basin and a towel and signified by their actions that they were certain of their trail." When arrested, said the Advocate, Vernon "was greatly excited ... but did not offer to resist the officers. He is a single man and has lived in Hebron for a long time." After a night's stay in jail, he was released without bond. Added the Advocate, "There is absolutely no evidence against [him] other than the mute story of the dogs, but since it is a government case the action of the constable has caused considerable comment."

 

Story about Vernon, 1908

Circa September 1916, Vernon was charged with lunacy, and "examined in probate court ... by the court and Drs. H.H. Baker nd J.W. Hornby and was found to be sane and was discharged," said the Advocate

Vernon married Emma Packard ( ? - ? ). They did not reproduce.

In February 1919, Emma sued Vernon for a "peace warrant," accusing him of "being intoxicated most of the time, acting ugly and threatening to kill her," said the Advocate. "The case was continued for 30 days and he gave bond for $200 for his good behavior during that time." They divorced by the following year. 

In 1920, the census shows that he resided with his mother.

Former wife Emma passed away in 1924.

In 1942, Vernon moved into Sherman Nursing Home, and spent the final 13 years of his life. He died there on April 10, 1955.

 

~ Son Roland "Rolla" Miner ~

Son Roland Miner (also spelled "Rollin" and "Rolla") (1872-1954) was born on March 15, 1872.

He grew up building boats on Buckeye Lake.

He married Estella Foust (1881-1948) of Amanda, OH. The wedding took place in about 1897, when Roland was age 25, and Estelle 16. 

They had three sons -- Carlos Lee Miner Sr., Harold E. Miner and John "Frederick" Miner. They also had a daughter, born in 1898, who may have not lived long.

Immediately after their marriage, the Miners lived in Luray, Licking County, but soon came to reside with Roland's parents in Hebron. In July 1898, Roland and Estella and his sister Mabel Miner visited together at their home near Lakeside. Then, in July 1900, he purchased an office on West Main Street from George Davis, and made plans to "move it to a lot on Railroad street for a residence," reported the Newark (OH) Daily Advocate

In November 1911, Roland sold his Hebron property and moved with his wife and sons to Texas, settling in the town of Cotulla, LaSalle County. There, he bought a farm and also leased 40 acres of land and began raising silver skin onions, cotton and potatoes. In June 1912, said the Newark Weekly Advocate, he shipped his father a crate of silver skin onions, which retailed for $1.00 per bushel. Added the Weekly Advocate, "Mr. Miner contemplates building on his land this summer. They are all well pleased and happy in their southern home." 

In the summer of 1914, they moved to Freeport, Brazoria County, about 60 miles directly south of Houston, and along the Gulf Coast. An August 1914 notice in his old hometown newspaper, the Newark Advocate, said that he "has established a boat making and repairing shop at Freeport. A paper at that place reports that Mr. Miner's boats 'have a combination of strength, grace and attractive appearance.' Mr. Miner had much experience in boat building at Buckeye Lake before going to Texas and is making good in Texas." 

 

The world's largest sulphur mine, Freeport, TX, where Carlos Miner worked

 

When the federal census was taken in 1920, the Miners continued to make their home in Freeport. Following his father's occupation, Roland ran a butcher shop in Freeport. Son Carlos worked as a engineer in a local sulphur mine, while son John was a station agent for Bryan (?). Seen here is a sulphur bin of the Freeport Sulphur Company in Freeport, at the time the largest sulphur mine in the world. Note the men standing at the foot of the bluff, on the other side of the railroad tracks.

The census of 1930 shows Roland changing careers again, and at age 58 laboring as a building carpenter in Freeport.

Sadly, Estelle died on Feb. 1, 1948, at the age of 67.

Roland outlived her by more than six years. His home in 1952 was in Alvin, TX.

He died at the age of 82 on Sept. 13, 1954. They are buried together at South Park Cemetery in Pearland, Brazoria County, TX. [Find-a-Grave]

Son Carlos Lee Minor (1898- ? ) was born in 1898. He was employed as a hoist engineer on a dredge boat for the Freeport Sulphur Company, and registered as such for the military draft during World War I. In about 1924, when he was age 25, he married 19-year-old Josie Amelia Palmer (1905-1988), daughter of Katie Palmer. They lived in Freeport when the 1930 census was taken. That year, Carlos was employed as a foreman on the sulphur docks. They produced three known children -- Carlos Lee Miner Jr., James H. Miner and Lylian "Marilyn" Dewveall. Carlos' brother Fred and his family are known to have visited Carlos and Josie in their Freeport home in August 1931. Then sometime between 1933 and 1940, Carlos passed away. Details and his burial site are not known. The widowed Josie moved her family to Houston. Circa 1940, the 35-year-old Josie headed a household in Houston including her three children and earned a living as a typist and secretary for a group of physicians who operated the Medical and Surgical Clinic. On June 20, 1942, at the age of about 37, Josie was united in a second marriage with Howell M. Newsom ( ? - ? ), son of Mary Newsom. The nuptials were held in the First Presbyterian Church of Freeport, with Rev. H.B. Streater officiating. In reporting on the wedding, the Freeport Facts noted that Josie "was attractively attired in a navy blue ensemble and used white accessories. Her corsage was gardenias." At the time of marriage, Howell was employed the Austin Company. The Newsoms resided in Freeport at the address of 1211 West Broad Street. Josie was a member and meeting host of the Presbyterian Auxiliary. The marriage did not endure, and Josie filed for divorce, with the decree handed down on Feb. 21, 1945 in Brazoria County Court. Josie stayed active in the community and in October 1970 received an award for painting a soup toureen which was exhibited at the county fair. Evidence suggests that she died in Brazoria Coiunty on Jan. 8, 1988.

  • Grandson Carlos Lee Minor Jr. (1925-1981) was born on Feb. 28, 1925 in Texas. On May 8, 1947, in the Oaklawn Presbyterian Church in Freeport, he was married to Margaret "Peggy" Martin ( ? - ? ), daughter of (?) Keigwin of Houston. Rev. Thomas E. Hoolsema officiated. They were the parents of Carlos Lee Minor III and James David Minor. During World War II, he joined the U.S. Marine Corps in July 1942 and spent 26 months in the Pacific Theatre, taking part in the battles of Tarawa, Saipan and Tinian. After the war, he earned a living over the years as a lieutenant with the Houston Police Department. They made their home at East Second Street in Freeport in 1945, in the community of Bellaire, TX in 1955 and in apartment 6006 at 301 Wilcrest in 1981. He was a member of the Masons lodge. Suffering from end-stage liver cancer, in the Veterans Administration Medical Center, he died at the age of 55 on Feb. 9, 1981. He rests for eternity in Gulf Prairie Cemetery in Jones Creek, Brazoria County, TX. [Find-a-Grave]

Great-grandson Carlos Lee Minor III (1945- ? ) was born on Feb. 28, 1945. News of his birth was printed in the Freeport Facts.

Great-grandson James David Minor (1950-1982) was born on May 3, 1950 in Houston. He was joined in marriage with Elizabeth Frazzine ( ? - ? ). James worked as a radio engineer in the broadcasting industry in Houseon. Heartache blanketed the family when James, suffering from diabetes, respitory failure and pneumonia at the age of 31, died in Memorial Hospital on March 25, 1982. His remains were placed into eternal repose in the Woodlawn Garden of Memories.

  • Grandson James "Howard" Minor (1928-1999) was born on Sept. 8, 1928 in Brazoria County. He and his wife are believed to have dwelled in Pasadena, TX in 1955-1999. Howard died in Harris County, TX on May 2, 1999, at the age of 70.
  • Granddaughter Lylian "Marilyn" Minor (1932-1998) was born on July 12, 1932 in Brazoria County. As a teen, she was active with the youth fellowship of the Presbyterian Church in Freeport. Marilyn was united in wedlock on May 10, 1955 with Milford "Leo" Dewveall (Oct. 25, 1927-1999), son of William Henry and Mae Bell "M.B." (Culver) Mendenhall of Fort Worth. The wedding was held at the Gulf Prairie Presbyterian Church, with Rev. L.M. Malloy officiating at the ceremony. News of the happy event was printed in the Freeport Facts. The newlyweds made their initial home in Fort Worth. By the late 1990s, they were in Baytown, Harris County, TX. Marilyn passed into eternity on July 3, 1998 at the age of 66. Leo only outlived her by a little more than a year and succumbed at the age of 72 on Nov. 28, 1999.

Son John Frederick "Fred" Miner (1899-1942) was born on New Year's Eve 1899 in Ohio. He migrated with his parents to Texas, where he grew to manhood. John worked as an assistant time keeper with the Freeport Sulphur Company circa 1918. He too registered for the World War I military draft. He is believed to have established a residence in Houston in about 1920. At the age of 20, in about 1919, he married 18-year-old Pauline G. (1902- ? ). They were the parents of an only daughter, Dorothy Mae Miner. Fred earned a living with a Houston railroad as a clerk in 1930 and as an accountant and rate clerk in 1940. Fred and daughter Dorothy made a home in the early 1940s in the Milby Hotel in Houston. On July 1, 1942, John was felled by heat stroke and died within the hour at Southern Pacific Hospital. Interment was in South Park Cemetery in Parland, Brazoria County.

  • Granddaughter Dorothy Mae Miner (1922- ? ) was born in about 1922. She grew up in Freeport/Houston. At the age of 19, in 1940, she resided with her father as shown in the federal census, but erroneously was marked as "wife" instead of "daughter."

 

~ Daughter Clara (Miner) Rockey Traver ~

Daughter Clara B. Miner (1875-1956) was born on July 15, 1875 in Hebron, Licking County.

She married her first husband, Charles F. Rockey (1871-1909), the son of Hiram and Susan Rockey of Lancaster, Fairfield County, OH. Their wedding ceremony was held on Aug. 12, 1894, in Licking County, by the hand of Rev. Thomas N. Madden.

Their children were John "Scott" Rockey, Helen E. Warley, Mary Nelson and Gerald Rockey.

The Rockeys were farmers. 

In February 1907, the Rockeys purchased a town lot in Hebron from John E. and Laura L. Black for $1,000. During the week of Thanksgiving 1907, the Rockeys and son Gerald are known to have visited at the home of Mr. and Mrs. Elhana Puffer located south of Hebron, according to a brief article in the Newark (OH) Advocate

Tragically, Charles suffered for four years with severe anemia and spinal issues. He could not overcome the affliction, and died just a few weeks shy of his 38th birthday on Feb. 1, 1909. He was buried at Licking Cemetery, with O.M. Kramer as the informant on his official Ohio death certificate. No obituary has been found, but is being pursued. A large, tall stone marks his final resting place.

The widowed Clara and their four children lived next to her parents and brother John on East Mound Street when the census was taken in 1910, near Hebron. By 1913, Clara had moved to Akron, Summit County, OH. Her parents visited her there for a week in July 1913, as reported in the Advocate.

Main Street at night, looking north in Akron, Ohio 

After five years as a widow, Clara married again. Her second spouse was Willis M. Traver (1878-1947), son of Charles A. and Catherine (Hankey) Traver of Summit County, OH. Rev. L.N.D. Wells performed the ceremony in Akron on Dec. 17, 1914.

At the time of her second marriage, Clara was age 39, and lived in Akron, while Willis, three years younger, was employed in the "transfer business." 

They later lived in Columbus, Franklin County, OH, at 92 Winner Avenue. Suffering from congestive heart failure, with hardening of the arteries and heart disease as contributors, Willis died at home just 10 days before his 68th birthday, on May 11, 1947. He was laid to rest in Copley Cemetery in Copley, Summit County, OH.

Clara died in 1956, at the age of 81. She is interred in Licking Cemetery in Hebron. [Find-a-Grave]

Son John "Scott" Rockey (1895- ? ) was born on Jan. 29, 1895 in Hebron, Licking County. He migrated to Cleveland as a young man, where he found employment as a rubber worker. At age 21, he wed 18-year-old Ethel Boosinger (1898- ? ), daughter of Hoyt Finley and Gertie (Meyers) Boosinger of Brimfield, OH. The ceremony took place on Aug. 28, 1916, in Portage County, OH. They bore these known children -- Dorothy Rockey and Pauline Rockey. Federal census records for 1920 show the Rockeys living in Franklin Township, Portage County, OH, with Scott employed as a worker in a rubber shop. By 1935, the family had relocated to Cleveland. The 1940 census shows Scott working as an iceman for a retail business. Circa 1968, Scott's and Ethel's home remained in Cleveland.

  • Granddaughter Dorothy Rockey (1918- ? ) was born in about 1918. In 1940, at the age of 21, she and her sister Pauline earned a living as operators for a photo bulb company in Cleveland.
  • Granddaughter Pauline Rockey (1919- ? ) was born in about 1919. In 1940, at the age of 20, she and her sister Dorothy earned a living as operators for a Cleveland photo bulb company.

Daughter Helen E. Rockey (1897-1963) was born on March 22, 1897 in Hebron, Licking County. She moved to Akron, Summit County, where at the age of 18 she was employed as a "hat trimmer." On June 30, 1915, Helen wed Russell Gerald Warley (1892- ? ), the son of Cyrus and Ellen (Carr) Warley. The nuptials were performed by Rev. L.N.D. Wells. Helen was age 18, and Russell 23. At the time of marriage, Russell was a rubber worker in Akron. The couple produced these known children -- Gladys Lee, Ethel Seeds, Jean Kennan Regallis, Ralph C. Warley and Russell C. Warley. During World War I, Russell was required to register for the military draft. A registration officer noted that he was of medium height and build, with black eyes and dark brown hair, and that he was employed in Akron by B.F. Goodrich Co. When the United States Census was taken in 1920, the family lived on Edward Street in Akron, with Gerald continuing to earn a living as a laborer in the rubber factory. By the early 1960s, Helen's address was 1665 Idlewood Avenue in Akron. The Grim Reaper swept her away on Sept. 24, 1963. Memorial services were held in the Emmanuel United Church of Christ in Akron, with Rev. William Fletcher officiating, followed by cremation. An obituary was published in the Akron Beacon Journal, which reported that she was survived by 11 grandchildren.

 

B.F. Goodrich Company in Akron, where Russell Warley was employed

 

  • Granddaughter Gladys M. Warley (1916-1979) was born in about 1916 in Akron, where she spent her 63 years of life. She married (?) Lee ( ? - ? ). Their only daughter was Kathleen Boose. Gladys was a teacher at Bettes School over the span of two decades. Her home in 1963 was in Akron, Summit County. By the late 1970s, she dwelled in Stow, Summit County, with an address of 3068 Kent Road. After what the Akron Beacon Journal called "a long illness," she died on or about May 7, 1979.

Great-granddaughter Kathleen Lee married (?) Boose. One son was born to this union, William Boose. The family resided in Stow in 1979.

  • Granddaughter Ethel M. Warley (1918- ? ) was born in about 1918 in Akron. She wedded (?) Seeds. She lived in St. Petersburg, FL in 1963 and in Pinellas Park, FL in 1980.
  • Grandson Ralph C. Warley (1919-1983) was born in 1919 in Akron, a twin with his brother Russell. Ralph resided in Akron throughout his lifetime, making a home in the Goodyear Heights section. Ralph was joined in holy wedlock with Betty ( ? - ? ). The children born to this union were Ralph Warley and Debbie Fultz. In about 1948, he founded Warley Drain Service and remained self-employed for 32 years until retirement in 1980. He and his twin were members of the Adoniram Lodge of the Masons and related Shrine organizations. Sadly, at the age of 63, he died on April 2, 1983. Burial was in Hillside Memorial Park, with Rev. Dr. Harry D. Rose leading the funeral service. In an obituary, he was pictured in the Akron Beacon Journal.

Great-grandson Ralph Warley married Carol and lived in Akron.

Great-granddaughter Debbie Warley wedded James Fultz. In 1983, they made a home in Madisonville, KY.

  • Grandson Russell C. Warley (1919-1980) was born in 1919 in Akron, a twin with his brother Russell and lived in the city his entire life. He served in the U.S. Army during World War II. Russell was wedded to Reita M. ( ? - ? ). They bore three sons, Ronald R. Warley, Richard C. Warley and Russell L. Warley. After the war, for 23 years, he earned a living with employment at Borden Dairy Company. He and his twin were members of the Adoniram Lodge of the Masons. Russell's address in  1980 was 228 East Catawba Avenue. At the age of 60, he died on March 24, 1980. His remains were cremated and rest in Licking Cemetery with his grandparents. An obituary appeared in the Akron Beacon Journal.

Great-grandson Ronald R. Warley moved to Texas and in 1980 made a home in Copperas Cove, TX.

Great-grandson Richard C. Warley dwelled in Akron in 1980.

Great-grandson Russell L. Warley resided in 1980 in Akron.

  • Granddaughter Jean L. Warley was joined in matrimony with (?) Keenan ( ? - ? ). She dwelled in Akron in 1963. Then by 1980, she had remarried to (?) Regallis ( ? - ? ) and remained in Akron.

Daughter Mary E. Rockey (1900- ? ) was born in about 1900 in Hebron. When she was 24 years of age, in 1924, she was employed as a demonstrator and lived at 1371 Giddings Road. She was thrice married. On Feb. 19, 1924, in Cuyahoga County, OH, she was joined in wedlock with 29-year-old railroad patrolman Chester R. Smith ( ? - ? ), son of Oliver P. and Maude F. (Reams) Smith. Officiating at the wedding was justice of the peace W.J. Zoul, of Shaker Heights, OH. Chester had been married and divorced previously. At the time of his marriiage to Mary, he lived in Bellefontaine, Logan County, OH. The couple was divorced on May 10, 1940 in Common Pleas Court of Cuyahoga County. After the divorce, she lived at 1858 East 65th Street in Cleveland. Then on Jan. 10, 1941, in nuptials held in Cuyahoga, the 41-year-old Mary wedded a second time to 58-year-old manager Howard L. Drake ( ? - ? ), son of Arthur E. and Susie F. (Brown) Drake. Rev. Jesse Ross Deamude officiated. Howard was a native of Auburn, Maine and lived in Norway, ME at the time, and also had been divorced once before. Later, she was united in matrimony with Robert Nelson ( ? - ? ). In all, she had three children. Circa 1963, they made a home in Columbus, Franklin County, OH.

Son Gerald Rockey (1905- ? ) was born on Sept. 21, 1905 in Akron. He earned income as a young man as a driver and lived at 1371 Giddings Road. On what appears to have been his 21st birthday, on Sept. 21, 1926, he married Mary McCreary (Dec. 8, 1904- ? ), daughter of Charles and Jane (Geiselman) McCreary of Wooster, OH. The wedding was held in Cuyahoga County, with justice of the peace W.J. Zoul of Shaker Heights leading the ceremony. At the time, Mary dwelled at 1358 Giddings Road. Evidence suggests that Mary also went by the name "Margaret" and that the couple did not reproduce. Circa 1940, they lived in Cleveland, with Gerald working as a building construction laborer. Gerald lived in 1963 in St. Petersburg, FL.

 

Minnie and Tom Minor. Courtesy Steve Guyton

~ Son Taylor Frederick "Tom" Miner ~

Son Taylor Frederick "Tom" Miner (1877-1952) was born on Sept. 2, 1877. 

As a young adult, Tom stood 5 ft. 9 in. tall, with blue eyes and brown hair, and worked as a laborer. He served in the Spanish-American War, with the 7th Ohio Infantry, Company K. He mustered into the regiment at age 20 on June 20, 1898. 

He returned home after the war and lived in Hebron, where he worked as a butcher, presumably alongside his father.

At the age of 24, in Oct. 20, 1901, he married 19-year-old Minnie Blanche Stanley (1881- ? ), daughter of John and Nettie (Turner) Stanley of Milford Center, Union County, OH. Rev. Mills Harrod officiated. At the time of marriage, Minnie was a seamstress.

Their two children were Leonard Taylor Miner and Edna Skipper.

In the early years of marriage, the Minors dwelled in Milford Center. The Union County Journal reported in November 1905 that the family had "moved from Cone Howard's farm to the village last Wednesday. He occupies Mrs. Shan Davis' house." A few months later, in January 1906, they relocated again into the McClimans house "vacated by Peter Stoll," and then in May of that year went to live in Columbus. By September 1906, they had returned to Union County and made a home with Minnie's relative Howard Stanley on State Street. The Minors stayed put for about six years and then, in August 1912, the Journal-Tribune noted that they had moved again to Columbus. They were back in Milford Center by October 1913. The gossip columns of the Journal-Tribune reported in October 1913 that the family had visited with his parents in Hebron.

 

Obituary, 1952

The Minors were members of the Disciples of Christ Church. He was employed as a "decorator" for C.T. Phillips in Columbus, Franklin County, and they resided at 35 West Hubbard Avenue and at 784 Hamlet Street. As World War I raged in Europe in September 1918, Tom registered for the military draft.

When the 1940 census was taken, Tom and Minnie dwelled on North Eureka Street in Columbus, with his occupation shown as "paper hanger."

Tom passed away of colon cancer on April 30, 1952 at home in Columbus. He was buried in Union Cemetery in Columbus. [Find-a-Grave]

Minnie outlived her husband by a few years. She died on Oct. 11, 1955, and they rest together in Union Cemetery.

Son Leonard Taylor Minor (1905-1971) was born on Jan. 9, 1905 in Milford Center, Union County, OH. He apparently spelled his last name with the "o." He migrated with his parents to Columbus, and learned the electrical and refrigeration businesses. He was married at least three times. At the age of 23, he wedded 25-year-old Leona Sullivan (1902- ? ) on May 3, 1928, by the hand of Rev. T.L. Lowe. She was a native of Charleston, Kanawha County, WV, and the daughter of Washington D. and E. Jane (Martin) Sullivan. At the time of marriage, his home was at 784 Hamlet Street in Columbus, while hers' was 690 South Warren Avenue, also of Columbus. The United States Census for 1920 -- just two years into their marriage -- shows Leona living apart from her husband and making her home with her brother and parents in Columbus, earning a living as a restaurant waitress. The couple later divorced. Leonard in the 1930s lived in Sunbury, Delaware County, OH and earned a living as a refrigerator serviceman. He married again at the age of 32 on Dec. 29, 1937 to 21-year-old Margaret L. Barry (Sept. 12, 1916- ? ), daughter of Frank Sylvania and Emma (Probst) Barry of Columbus. The nuptials took place in Delaware, OH, with Rev. H. Schuyler Foster leading the ceremony. The Minors went on to produce two children -- Barbara Minor and Robert Minor. When the federal census enumeration was made in 1940, the Minors dwelled in Columbus, with Margaret's aged parents in the household. Leonard and Margaret divorced in the 1940s. Then in the 1960s, continuing to support himself through his work as a refrigeration serviceman, he lived at 770 Hamlet Street in Columbus. Leonard married for a third time, at the age of 63, on March 4, 1968, to 53-year-old Pauline Morton (McGlone) Buck Jones (March 1, 1914- ? ), daughter of Harry B. and Anna (Henderson) McGlone. Rev. Acie L. Butts officiated at the ceremony held in Clark County. At the time, Pauline's home was in Springfield, Clark County, OH. She had been married previously to Arthur Buck and Morris D. Jones. Leonard died in Columbus on Feb. 15, 1971, at the age of 66. His grave marker, at Columbus' Union Cemetery, is inscribed "Father." [Old Cemetery, Section 71, Lot 229 - Find-a-Grave]

  • Granddaughter Barbara Minor (1938? - ? ) was born in about 1938.
  • Grandson Robert Minor (1940- ? ) was born in about 1940.

 

Edna Skipper
Courtesy Steve Guyton

Daughter Edna Miner (1913-1988) was born on March 15, 1913 in Milford Center, Union County, OH. She grew up in Milford Center and in Columbus, Franklin County, OH, and as a teen lived at 784 Hamlet Street. She earned income as a waitress in Columbus as a 16-year-old, in 1929. The next year, when she was 17 years of age, she married 18-year-old clerk George Edmund Skipper (Dec. 4, 1910-1993), son of Ivor V. and Lucy (Bishop) Skipper of Columbus, Franklin County, OH. Their wedding took place on Dec. 4, 1930, with Rev. T.L. Lowe officiating. The Skippers produced three children -- Kay Guyton, Mary Anne Skipper and David Skipper. When the United States Census enumeration was made in 1940, the family residence was on North Wheatland Avenue in Columbus. That year, the 30-year-old George earned a living as a shipping clerk for an automotive parts manufacturing company. The Skippers continued to dwell in Columbus for the remainder of their lives. They enjoyed paying visits to relatives and friends in the Milford Center area, among them Mr. and Mrs. L.P. Brill. By 1946, George had changed jobs and accepted a position as a patrolman with the Columbus Police Department. His name was printed in newspapers in Zanesville, Massillon, Lancaster and Newark for his work apprehending criminals. He and his colleague John Beasley made national news in May 1948 when they made it a practice to help an elderly woman get up each day, sit up near a window, and then return a few hours later to carry her back to her bed. George eventually retired from the Columbus police force in the mid-1960s and received a cake and framed certificate at a department ceremony. Suffering from dementia, Edna was admitted to a care facility and, exhausted and refusing to eat, she died there at the age of 75 on Nov. 6, 1988. Her husband survived her by almost five years. At the age of 81, on Sept. 17, 1993, George passed away at Doctors Hospital-North in Columbus.

 

Edna and George with a certificate and cake at his
retirement party from the Columbus police force

 

  • Grandson David Skipper (1934-living) was born in about 1934. He married MaryAnne ( ? -living). They have four children. The Skippers circa 2018 reside in Indianapolis.
  • Granddaughter Kay Louise Skipper (1936-2006?) was born on July 29, 1936 at White Cross Hospital of Columbus. She resided in Columbus and married (?) Guyton ( ? - ? ). They produced two children -- Steve Guyton and Linda Guyton. At the age of 60, in about 1996, she was diagnosed with scleroderma, a hardening of the tissues. She endured the painful disease for a decade. She passed into eternity in Columbus on Nov. 29, 2006, but waited for her son to arrive from Phoeniz before letting go. Their son Steve wedded Liz on Valentine's Day 1992 and produced a son Alex Guyton.
  • Granddaughter Mary Anne Skipper ( ? - ? )

 

The Skippers, early 1950s. Front, L-R: Edna, Kay and Mary Anne. Back, L-R: George and David. Courtesy Steve Guyton

 

~ Daughter Mabel (Miner) Davis Parsons ~

 

Greenlawn Cemetery, Columbus

Daughter Mabel Miner (1880-1977) was born in 1880.

She spent a lot of time in Columbus, Franklin County, as a young woman. The Newark (OH) Daily Advocate reported in October 1898 that she had recent spent a month with friends in Columbus and had just returned home to Hebron. Quite possibly she was there being wooed by her future husband.

In about 1899, Mabel married Forrest L. Davis (1878- ? ), and they made their home in Columbus. 

By 1902, they had two children -- Ralph Davis and a daughter who died at age four months. 

In August 1902, the Newark Advocate said Mabel was living in Columbus but was visiting her parents at their home on North Street in Hebron. The federal census of 1900 shows the newlyweds living on High Street in Columbus, with Forrest laboring as a moulder.

 

  

Mabel's 1960 family history letter

Later, after a divorce, Mabel married James Parsons ( ? - ? ).

She lived in Columbus circa 1960, at which time she wrote a three-page letter to her niece by marriage, Helen (Rinck) Miner, containing important details of the Miner family history. A copy is preserved in the Minerd.com Archives. 

Sometime before 1969, she moved to West Hollywood, FL. After her death in Florida at age 97 on Dec. 18, 1977, her remains were returned to Ohio for burial at Greenlawn Cemetery in Columbus.

Son Ralph Davis (1900- ? ) was born on Aug. 12, 1900. He married Lena Knorr ( ? - ? ) and had two sons, Harold Davis and Forrest Davis. 

  • Grandson Harold Davis did not marry.
  • Grandson Forrest Davis (1919- ? ) was born on Dec. 8, 1919 in Columbus. On July 26, 1940, he married Patricia Rowland (1919- ? ), daughter of Thomas and Carrie (Golden) Rowland. At the time of their marriage, Forrest (age 20) and Patricia (21) both worked as sales clerks in Columbus. They had two children, Cheryl Jeanne Davis and Thomas Davis.

Daughter (?) Davis (-1902-) was born on July 14, 1902. She lived to the tender age of four months and eight days. She passed away on Nov. 22, 1902.

 

~ Son John Irvin Miner ~

Son John Irvin Miner (1883-1954) was born on April 11, 1883 in Hebron, Licking County, OH.

At the age of 26, on Dec. 18, 1909, John married 18-year-old Margaret B. Condon (1892- ? ). She was nine years younger than her husband, and the daughter of Patrick and Carolyn (Fairman) Condon of Meadville, PA. Rev. L.O. Newcomer officiated. The wedding took place in Mt. Vernon, Knox County, OH, where both were living at the time.

At the time of marriage, John was a carpenter. He remained in this occupation for decades.

The census of 1910 shows them living next to John's parents and widowed sister Clara Rockey in Hebron. 

Their only daughter, identity unknown, was born in 1918.

Cars on the sands of Daytona Beach, 1930s 

Later, John relocated to Florida. He was in Daytona Beach in 1935. John went back to Ohio and was in Hebron in 1940. The federal census enumeration of 1940 shows him in town, working as a carpenter and sharing a residence with his brother Vernon.

He married a second time in 1942 to Lois Glen Doyle (1905-1986), originally from Livingston, KY.

Together they bore a son, John Miner.

The Miners made another move, to Sarasota, FL where they dwelled circa 1947-1954. They lived on Brown Avenue and joined the First Baptist Church.

John passed away on March 14, 1954 in Titusville, FL. His pastor, Rev. Dr. W.S. Hardin, presided over the funeral rites. His remains were lowered into eternal repose in LaGrange Cemetery in Mims, Brevard County, FL.An obituary appeared in the Titusville Star-Advocate.

Lois outlived her spouse by more than three decades. She succumbed to the spectre of death in Daytona Beach on Oct. 25, 1986. Burial was in LaGrange Cemetery. 

Daughteer (?) Miner (1918- ? ) was born in about 1918 in Ohio.  

Son John Miner (1943- ? ) is said to have been born circa 1943 and made a home in Daytona Beach. He was an elementary school student in 1954 at the death of his father. 

 

~ Son William Milton "Will" Miner ~

Son William Milton "Will" Miner (1885-1969) was born in 1885. 

He left Ohio as a young man and moved to Kansas, where he found a job with Empire Gas and Oil Company, later becoming part of Cities Service Oil, at Caney, Montgomery County. 

While in Caney, he met his future wife, Elsie Lynn (1890-1974). Elsie was a native of Old St. Paul, KS, was the daughter of W.T. and I. "Minnie" Lynn, and considered herself a "Jayhawker." At the time they first became acquainted, she was a school teacher in Oklahoma. The couple was wed on Feb. 4, 1911, when Will was age 26 and she 21. Their nuptials were conducted in the home of a Church of Christ pastor in Tulsa. William later told a news reporter that at the time of their marriage, "Tulsa consisted of only Main Street and two or three others."

Their union endured the ebbs and flows of a remarkable 58 years.

Five children born into the family were Herbert Milton Miner, Everett Thomas Miner, Elsie Woodrow "Woody" Bare, Roberta Rinck McAlster and Muriel Lynn DeWhitt. 

Because the marriage of Elsie's parents was disintegrating, the newlyweds Will and Elsie moved away quickly, to California. They settled for a time being in Taft, Kern County. There, they pitched a tent for a home, and Will secured day labor work unloading pipe and supplies in the Kern River oilfields. Said the Wagoner Record Democrat, "at the time [it was] called the biggest oil strike in the country ". Their first three children were born in Taft, including the eldest (Herbert) in the tent. Will then obtained employment with Standard Oil Company, but eventually was laid off. 

 

Obituary, 1969

In October 1917, with Elsie's health poor, Will and Elsie left California and returned to Kansas. He got another oilfield job with Connelly and Owens, which took him to Oklahoma to laborer in the Ramsey and Osage oilfields. They were in Oklahoma in 1920 at the birth of their daughter Roberta. When the Ku Klux Klan tried to recruit Will into its ranks, Elsie objected, and the Klan forced him out after he suffered a back injury. Will then went to work for Connelly and Lorauix, which sent him to Bush City, where he ran five drilling rigs at one time. After the Wall Street crash of 1929, Will returned to Caney from Oklahoma so his three eldest children could attend public high school for free. 

The Great Depression ruined Will and Elsie. They lost their house, farm and automobile. They moved to Oklahoma, with Will working on the Grand Lake project near the town of Ketchum. They bounced around to Dewey, then to Couteau, and finally to Wagoner. 

In Wagoner, in about 1949, they put down roots for good. Will owned and operated a plumbing business there for two decades, until the time of his death. They also operated the Idle Inn in Wagoner. As they aged, they moved to Ponca City, where their youngest daughter Muriel resided. 

They couple marked their golden wedding anniversary in 1961 at a family dinner at the home of their married daughter Elsie Bare. The Record Democrat published a related story about the happy event.

Will died in 1969 after a short illness, at the age of 84. He was laid to rest in Caney Cemetery. 

Elsie's health was failing about this time, but before moving into a nursing home, she dictated a family history which later was retyped. She died in January 1974 in Ponca City, Kay County, OK.

 

    

Left: Helen and Herb Miner, 1987. Right: Helen, 2000

 

Son Herbert Milton Miner (1912-1999) was born on July 30, 1912 in a tent house in Taft, Kern County, CA. In early adulthood he dwelled in Caney, KS. Circa 1935, at the age of 23, he married 20-year-old Helen Idella Rinck ( ? - ? ), a resident of Niotaze, KS. They obtained their marriage license in Sedan, KS which was announced in the Bartlesville (OK) Examiner-Enterprise. In a twist, Herbert's sister Roberta wed Helen's brother Glenn. Herbert earned a living as a welder and pipefitter. They dwelled in Eudora, Douglas County, KS in 1950-1961. Later, he became a plumber as well as owner of Miner's Bargain Center and Eudora Cash Hardware. He died at the age of 87 on Aug. 25, 1999. 

  • Grandson Terry Miner ( ? -living) was born on (?). He received his bachelor's degree in geology in 1976 from Emporia State University and later in 1989 took masters course work in hydrogeology at Oklahoma State University. From 1992 to 1994, he was employed as a corporate manager of environmental projects by Clark Oil Refining and Marketing Corporation of St. Louis. He moved to Environmental Solutions Inc. from 1994 to 1998 and then accepted a position as corporate director of environmental health and safety for Sabreliner Corporation Inc. of St. Louis. From 2013 to 2015 he was manager of environmental and safety with the Aircraft Group of Moog Inc. and currently is employed by Zoltek Corporation. Terry attended our 2008 national family reunion, "Pittsburgh 250." In doing so, Terry was the first known member of this branch to return to the southwestern Pennsylvania region since his great-great-great grandfather Frederick Miner Sr. migrated to Ohio in about 1813.

Son Everett Thomas Miner (1915-1950) was born on Jan. 28, 1915 in Taft, Kern County, CA. He was trained in plumbing and pipefitting. Everett entered into marriage with Lorraine ( ? - ? ). To them were born three children -- Thomas Miner, Charles Ray Miner and Sis Miner. Grief cascaded over the family at the death of son Charles in infancy. They established a residence in Muskogee, OK in about 1944, with Everett working alongside his father in a plumbing business. Over the balance of his life he traveled to Alaska five different times for project-related work. In mid-1950, Everett again moved to Alaska with the family to begin new employment as a civilian operating engineer and pipefitter at the Eielson Air Force Base in Fairbanks. During that time he was suffering from heart problems. On the sad day of Sept. 1, 1950, after just three months on the job, he was found dead in his tent at the base. An obituary was printed in the Muskogee (OK) Times-Democrat . The body was shipped  to Caney, KS for interment in Sunnyside Cemetery.

  • Grandson Thomas Miner (1939- ? ) was born in about 1939. 
  • Granddaughter Sis Miner (1942- ? ) was born in about 1942. 

Daughter Elsie Woodrow "Woody" Miner (1916-2005) was born on Nov. 15, 1916 in Taft, Kern County, CA. She appears to have been twice-wed. Her first spouse was (?) Martin ( ? - ? ). After that marriage ended, she earned a living managing the Iddle Inn on the west side of Wagoner, OK. Then on March 18, 1950, in nuptials held in DeQueen, AR, she married Richard H. Bare (June 4, 1916-1990) son of Walter and Anna (Jemes) Bare of Tuttle, OK. At the time of marriage, he worked for the U.S. Engineers in Tulsa. News of the marriage was announced in the Wagoner Tribune. Evidence suggests that the couple's only daughter was Lynn Ann Bare. Their first dwelling-place in 1950 was in Pryor, OK and by 1961 they had relocated to Wagoner. Richard generated income in 1956 as an acetylene engineer, having 14 years of experience under his belt. She was employed over the years as a beautician and circa 1955-1959 owned the Model Beauty Shop at 117 South Main in Wagoner. Elsie made news in the Tribune in August 1957 when giving public comments to the Wagoner town council "over the alleged mistreatment of her father, W.M. Miner, who has been in a dispute with the city over a sewer line being connected to a storm sewer." Richard surrendered to the angel of death on April 9, 1990. Elsie outlived him by 15-plus years. She died in Muskogee, Muskogee County, OK on Dec. 30, 2005. A brief notice of her death was published in the Tulsa World. Burial of the remains was in Wagoner's Elmwood Cemetery.

  • Granddaughter Lynn Ann Bare ( ? - ? ) grew up in Wagoner, OK. 

Daughter Roberta C. Miner (1919-1999) was born in 1919 in Oklahoma. She was married twice. Her first husband was Glenn George Rinck (Nov. 21, 1913-2003). The Miner and Rinck families were close, and Roberta's brother Herbert tied the knot with Glenn's sister Helen. Their union endured over 45 years' duration. The pair bore a family, among them Robert Rinck, Betty F. Redding and Karen Palmer. When the federal census enumeration was made in 1950, the Rincks dwelled in Little Caney, Chautauqua County, KS, with Glenn working 72 hours a week as a farmer. Roberta is known to have traveled to Colorado in 1979 for the wedding of her grandson Michael David Palmer. The Rincks eventually divorced. Roberta then married Gerald McAlster ( ? - ? ). Over the years she made her residence in Moline and Niotaze, KS. She owned her own beauty salon and was a reflexologist. She passed away on Dec. 14, 1999. Interment of the remains was in Fairview Cemetery Niotaze, KS, with an obituary appearing in the Wichita Eagle. She was survived by six grandchildren and seven great-grandchildren. Former husband Glenn outlived her by four years. His final residence was in Peru, Chautauqua County. The angel of death spirited him away in on May 26, 2003. A brief notice of his passing was published in the Tulsa World. His remains sleep for all time in Fairview Cemetery in Niotaze. 

  • Grandson Robert L. Rinck (1937- ? ) was born in about 1937 or 1938 in Kansas. Circa 1957-1958, he served in the U.S. Navy and was stationed at Pensacola, FL. He was married and the father of three -- Terry Rinck, Thomas Rinck and James G. Rinck. Robert dwelled in Fredonia, KS in 1999.
  • Granddaughter Betty F. Rinck (1940- ? ) was born in about 1940 in Kansas. She wed (?) Redding ( ? - ? ). The pair's only son was Donald Redding. Betty's home in 1999 was in West Lake, TX.

    Great-grandson Donald Redding (1960- ? ) was born in 1960. He dwells in Keller, TX and generously has contributed valuable content for this biography. 

  • Granddaughter Karen J. Rinck (1941-1982) was born in 1941 in Kansas. She married Ronald Palmer. They lived in Oklahoma City and produced a family of two sons -- Michael David Palmer and Mark Palmer. Their marriage dissolved in divorce, with Karen making a home in 1979 in Bethany, OK and Ron in Katy, TX. She was employed by American Millwork. Sadly, Karen died at the age of 41 on Jan. 22, 1982.Her obituary was published in the Oklahoma City Daily Oklahoman. Funeral rites were held in the Bill Merritt Chapel followed by burial in Coffeyville, KS.

    Great-grandson Michael David Palmer (1959- ? ) was born in about 1959. He served in the U.S. Air Force circa 1979. On Oct. 6, 1979, he entered into marriage with Michele Lynn Bradley ( ? - ? ), daughter of Doyle E. Bradley of Grand Junction, CO. Rev. Hunt Zumwalt led the exchange of vows in the Church of Christ in the bride's hometown. The Grand Junction Daily Sentinel announced the union with their portrait, saying the bride "wore a floor-length gown with a chapel train, designed and made by her grandmother, Anna Rogers. The gown of candlelight satin was designed with an empire waist, shaped standing collar and long sleeves. The bodice was overlaid with venise appliques." The newlyweds' first residence was in Sacramento, CA. 

    Great-grandson Mark Palmer (1961?-2021?) was born in about 1961. He resided with his mother in Bethany, OK in 1982 at the time of her passing.

Daughter Muriel L. Miner (1924-1994) was born on Dec. 4, 1925 in Kansas. On Jan. 7, 1944, in Tulsa, OK, she tied the marital knot with Charles S. D Whitt (1922-1999), son of Joseph H. DeWhitt of Ponca City. Charles served in the U.S. Army Air Forces as a member of the 84th Bomb Squadron, 47th Bomb Group. He was deployed to Europe and is said to have flown 29 missions. During an armed daytime reconnaisance mission over Ostiglia, Italy on April 22, 1945, along the Po River, his aircraft was hit by small fire and he parachuted to safety. He later wrote that "While descending I looked for the plan but could not see it. I landed in a field approximately four or five miles from Ostiglia near a house being used as a German barracks. I ran for cover but was immediately captured by the Germans. The Germans questioned me about three parachutes. To the best of my knowledge and belief, the pilot, Lt. Moran, was still aboard the plan when I jumped." As of 1961, they lived in Ponca City, OK, with Charles earning a living as a pharmacist. At the end their home was in Bartlesville, OK. Sadly, at the age of 69, Muriel passed away on Nov. 16, 1994. Her remains were lowered under the sod of Memorial Park Cemetery in Bartlesville. A short notice of her death appeared in the Tulsa World. Charles outlived his bride by five years. The spectre of death cleaved him away in 1999.

 

~ Son James Campbell "Jim" Minor ~

Rose Hill Burial Park - Courtesy Janet LaMotte, MHR
Son James Campbell "Jim" Minor (1889-1950) was born on Nov. 25, 1889 in Hebron, Licking County. 

He was an oil and gas driller in Hebron before moving to Cleveland, Cuyahoga County, OH, where he worked as a tool dresser.  

On Dec. 9, 1914, at the age of 24, he married 17-year-old Anne Alice Antel (1897-1970), of Cleveland, who was a German immigrant. They were about seven years apart in age. The wedding took place in Cleveland.

The Minors had seven children -- Warren Kenneth Minor, Albert Virgil Minor, Michael Minor, Clyde Lawrence Minor Sr., Ella Mae "Sis" Cusack, Genevieve "Tut" Leesekamp and Gerald Gene "Pete" Minor. 

In about 1919, the family migrated to Oklahoma, where they lived in Okmulgee, Okmulgee County, and he applied his skills in a new oilfield drilling job. They apparently returned to Ohio at times, and were there in 1922 for the birth of their son Clyde. But they soon returned to the southern oil patch.

They moved to the Texas oilfields in about 1927 or 1928, and then relocated again to Oklahoma City, Cleveland County, OK in the 1930-1933 timeframe. When the federal census was taken in 1930, the Minors' home was on East 29th Street South in Greeley, Oklahoma County. That year, James' occupation simply was listed as "building." A grandson once said that James "followed the oil" as a rig foreman. "He was a bootlegger, raised fighting cocks, and was a tough man to get along with. He was seldom without a gun and a leather whip."

Oklahoma City's skyline 

James was injured when a derrick fell while he was drilling for oil at work in 1934. Said the Oklahoma City Daily Oklahoman, he operated a rental property business "from that time until he became ill in 1946. He was a member of the Catholic church."

After suffering for four years, James was cleaved away by the angel of death at the age of 60 on July 9, 1950. His obituary was printed in the Daily Oklahoman, in which the family asked that there be no flowers but rather contributions to the Damon Runyon Cancer Fund. A funeral mass was held in the Catholic church in Corpus Christi, followed by interment in Oklahoma City's Rose Hill Burial Park. Some of his grown children referred to him in later years as the "old son of a bitch."

Anne outlived him by many years and in 1962 remained in their longtime dwelling at 2856 Northeast Route 23. She at one time owned Minor Trailor Court and held a membership in the Catholic Daughters of America and its Altar Society. 

At the age of 72, death enveloped her at home in 1970.

Son Warren Kenneth Minor (1916-1962) was born in about 1916 in Ohio. He was a graduate of Capitol Hill High School. His first wife was Helen Costigan ( ? - ? ). They were wed on Aug. 17, 1940, when he was age 24 and she 18. At the time, his address was 1119 Southeast 29th Street and hers at 3126 Northwest 17th Street. He or they relocated to Oklahoma City in about 1941. Warren is known to have served in the U.S. Armed Forces during World War II and was deployed overseas for two years. Their marriage ended later in the 1940s, and he lived as a single man at 2856 Northeast 23rd Street. Then on Nov. 24, 1948, he married a second time to 19-year-old Patsy Ruth Duncan. Their nuptials were performed at St. Luke's Methodist Church of Oklahoma City, with Rev. John Reagan Abernathy leading the service. One of the attendants was Warren's brother Clyde. In announcing the happy event, the Daily Oklahoman  publlished Patsy's bridal portrait and reported that she "wore a royal blue dress with black and royal blue accessoriries. Her gardenia corsage was tied with light blue ribbon streamers." Three daughters in this family were Shirley Minor, Michaelle Harrington and Mrs. Patricia Louise Hoag. Patsy was a graduate of Classen High School. Warren earned a living for 10 years as an employee of Oklahoma Gas & Electric Company. The family address in 1950 was at the corner of Northwest 29 and Portland and later in 1961-1962 at 745 Northeast Route 30, Oklahoma City. At the age of 43, Warren died in the Veterans Administration Hospital in Oklahoma City on Jan. 11, 1962. An obituary in the Daily Oklahoman said that his had been "an illness of two years." Burial was in Rose Hill Cemetery, with the Rosary service held in a local funeral home..

  • Granddaughter Shirley Minor made her residence with her parents in 1961-1962.
  • Granddaughter Michaelle Minor married Joe Harrington Jr. The pair's home in 1962 was at 2541 Northwest 14.
  • Granddaughter Patricia Louise Minor (1943- ? ) was born in 1943 at Sacred Heart Hospital. She was baptized on Nov. 14, 1943 by Rev. Herman Schafers of the Sacred Heart Church, with the news made public in the Oklahoma Courier. She was an alumna of Northeast High School. On June 23, 1961, in nuptials held at the First United Presbyterian Church of Guthrie, OK, she wed George Henry Hoag ( ? - ? ), son of Casper W. Hoag. Rev. W.M. Hall presided. Patrica's bridal portrait was published in the Guthrie Daily Leader, which noted that she "wore a waltz length gown of white lace over satin. A satin cummerbund accented the waistline of the fitted sleeveless bodice with rounded neckline. She wore mitts of white satin." George was a Guthrie High School graduate and received a bachelor's degree from Oklahoma State University. They put down roots in Guthrie, OK and dwelled at 2856 Northeast 23.

Son Albert Virgil Minor (1919-2002) was born on April 27, 1919 in Cleveland. As an infant, he was taken with his parents to Oklahoma and grew there to manhood. At the age of 23, on Oct. 12, 1942, he was united in holy matrimony in Oklahoma City with Rosemary A. Geirk ( ? - ? ), a resident of Santa Monica near Los Angeles and the daughter of Joseph C. Geirk. Rev. J. Bernard Loftus, of the Corpus Christi Catholic Church of Oklahoma City, officiated at the wedding. The couple produced two daughters, Rosemary Reese and Gerry Rickert. Rosemary was a graduate of the Academy of the Holy Name in Santa Monica, CA. He is known to have spent a year as a student at Oklahoma University in Norman. Over the years, he was employed as an airplane mechanic by Pan American Airlines in Africa and during World War II as a private in the U.S. Air Force. He is said to have been in the same platoon as actor Donald O'Connor.  The Minors' home in 1950 was 2900 Northeast 29. As of 1962, his residence was in Manhattan Beach, CA. Said the Oklahoma City Oklahoman, "Mr. Minor spent most of his life outdoors in road construction, in California and Hawaii. He located to Bayfield, Colorado in 1998 to be near his daughter and grandchildren." At the age of 83, his health in decline, he died on July 25, 2002 as a patient in Merecy Medical Center in Durango. A mass of Christian burial was sung at St. Bartholomew's Catholic Church in Bayfield, led by Father Eddy Andary. His cremains were placed into peaceful rest at Pine River Cemetery in Bayfield, CO.

  • Granddaughter Rosemary Minor wedded (?) Reese and has lived in Bayfield, CO.
  • Granddaughter Gerry Minor married (?) Rickert. She dwelled in 2002 in Silverado, CA.

Son Clyde Lawrence Minor (1921-1995) was born on March 23, 1921 in Ohio. He accompanied his parents on a move to Texas in boyhood and then relocated once again to Oklahoma in 1930. His address as a young single man was 2856 Northeast 23rd Street in Oklahoma City. At the age of 28, he married 24-year-old Edna Jo Vrana ( ? - ? ) in Oklahoma City on June 4, 1949. Father Sam P. Murphy, priest of Our Lady of Perpetual Care Church in Oklahoma, officiated at the nuptials. The happy news of the marriage was printed in the Daily Oklahoman. The couple's only son was James Francis Minor. They lived in Oklahoma City, OK, and raised a family, including a son James Francis Minor. Clyde labored in the Oklahoma oil fields before catching malaria while engaged on a pipeline in southeastern Oklahoma. Said their son, Clyde "went from being a roughneck to working on the pipeline to the production line at the Douglas [Aircraft] plant at Tinker Air Force Base [during World War II]. He worked his way up to flight test engineer, and flew many test flights in the co-pilot's seat." The son also claimed that the spelling of the name changed from "Miner" to "Minor" "due to an unpaid gas bill in Texas in the 1930s." Their home address in 1950 was 2821 Northeast 28 and in 1961-1962 was 3043 Northeast 29. For three decades, he was emploiyed as a manager with Sherwin-Williams Company, retiring in 1986. The Minors held a membership in Our Lady of Perpetual Help Catholic Church and he belonged to the Knights of Columbus. James obtained his real estate broker's license and was a board director with the Uptown Club of the Kiwanis.

  • Grandson James Francis Minor entered into marriage with Darla Kay Jones ( ? - ? ). They put down roots in Oklahoma City and bore a large family of children -- believed to be Kyle Minor, Jack Minor, Linda Ricciotti, Cindy Nuckolls, Larry Minor and Susan Lundy. James has served in the U.S. Army Reserve and retired as a colonel. He generously has provided valuable content for this biography in the 2003-2011 timeframe.

Rose Hill Burial Park - Courtesy Janet LaMotte, MHR
Daughter Ella Mae "Sis" Minor (1927-2003) was born on Sept. 9, 1927 in Eastland, Eastland County, TX. She moved with her family to Oklahoma City when she was about two. She was an alumna of Capitol Hill High School. At the age of 20, on Dec. 27, 1947, Ella Mae was united in holy matrimony with 30-year-old Francis Louis "Hank" Cusack (1917-2004), son of Charles and Helen Cusack and a native of Muir, MI. The wedding was held at Corpus Christi Catholic Church of Oklahoma City, officiated by Rev. Fr. John J. Walde and announced on the pages of the Oklahoma City Oklahoma Courier. Their union endured the ups and downs of a remarkable 55 years. During World War II, Hank had served in the U.S. Navy aboard the aircraft carrier USS Saratoga. Heavyweight boxing champion Gene Tunney is said to have attended his swearing-in ceremony. Hank and his brother Bill were the longtime owners and operators of Cusack Wholesale Meat Company, with Hank eventually purchasing his brother's share. Said an obituary, "Hank was recognized by many organizations for his love of the city and state; he was: Mayor for a Day in Oklahoma City; Grand Marshall of The Saint Patrick's Day Parade; 'Hank Cusack Day' was proclaimed by Governor Bellman; 'Hank Cusack Day' proclamation by The Oklahoma City City Council." His membershiops included the Cosmopolitan Club, Coronado Club, National Association of Meat Purveyors, Oklahoma Restaurant Association and Knights of Columbus. He also served as president of church board and men's clubs such as St Francis of Assisi Parish in Oklahoma City, St. Joseph in Norman and St. Andrew in Moore. Said the obituary, "An omnipresent hobby was fishing. It was later in life, when he was in his seventies, that Hank took up golf. He enjoyed playing and talking about it. Hank scored a hole in one - twice! He said many times, had he known earlier how much fun golf was he probably wouldn't have worked so much! He saw much of the world with his family and was always happy to return home to Oklahoma." Ella and Hank traveled to his ancestral homeland of Ireland, and he and his sons and friends took memorable fishing trips to Mexico and Belize. The family's address in 1947 was 2420 North Robinson Street in Oklahoma City and in 1950 at 1601 North Broadway. By 1962 they had moved to 1904 Northwest 11. Ella Mae is said to have been "a wonderful women who raised 11 children." The offspring they produced together included nine sons and two daughters -- Charles Lewis Cusack, Richard Cusack, Eddy Cusack, Steve Cusack, Frances Gray, Davey Cusack, Albert Cusack, Mark Cusack, Mary Anne Cusack, Ronnie Cusack and Donnie Cusack. They resided for years in Oklahoma City. Ella Mae died on Jan. 28, 2003. Hank followed her to the grave nearly two years later on Oct. 30, 2004. His rite of Catholic burial was held at St. Andrew Church with interment in Rose Hill Burial Park.

  • Grandson Charles Lewis Cusack (1948-2021) was born on Oct. 20, 1948. He entered into marriage with Pam ( ? - ? ). Their relationship stood the test of 39 years together. Their daughters are Kristen Cusack, Karen Lent, Kathryn Cusack and Kimberly Cusack. The family's longtime place of residence was in Moore, OK. Charles became interested in radio at Bishop McGuinness High School and then attended broadcasting school. His first employment in the field was in Pawhuska, OK, followed by stints in Oklahoma City at WKY-FM, KOCY-AM and KXLS. He relocated to Wichita, KS in late 1972 to join KEYN AM-FM, a position in which he became music director and twice earned national recognition as medium market music director of the year as the station became the third rated in the city. Charles moved to KLEO-AM and helped it to grow to number one "top 40" status within the year. The Cusacks returned to Oklahoma City and he joined the employ of KNOR in Norman. But his life's goal was to work for KOMA where he became an on-air personality and eventually program director. In 1979, Charles founded his own business, Cusack Feed, which he operated for 25 years and also earned a living at Physicians Mutual. After what the family calls "a chance meeting" in early 2007 with KOMA's program director, he rejoined the station with a weekend shift. Said the family, "Charlie always felt that someone was looking out for him. He missed attending a meeting at the Murrah Building on the morning of April 19th, 1995 [when it was bombed by Tim McVeigh], and his family survived the May 3rd, 1999 tornado sheltered in the first floor of their home."  Sadly, he passed away on June 6, 2021. His rite of Christian burial was conducted at St. Andrew Catholic Church, followed by interment in the sacred soil of Rose Hill Cemetery.

    Great-granddaughter Kristen Cusack resides in Aurora, CA.

    Great-granddaughter Karen Cusack wed Terry Lent. They make a home in Oklahoma City and are the parents of Jackson Lent and Jordon Lent.

    Great-granddaughter Kathryn Cusack is the mother of Mason. They dwell in Moore, OK.

    Great-granddaughter Kimberly Cusack is the mother of Remy. They also live in Moore, OK.

  • Grandson Richard Cusack is the father of Kelly Cusack. They were in Chicago in 2004.
  • Grandson Eddy Cusack ( ? - ? ) was deceased by 2021.
  • Grandson Steve Cusack tied the marital cord with Genita. Together they produced a daughter, Jill Leatherbee.
  • Granddaughter Frances Cusack married Terry Gray. They are the parents of Erin Gray. 
  • Grandson Davey Cusack was joined in wedlock with Robin. Their trio of offspring are Jessica Cusack, Sarah Cusack and Matthew Cusack.
  • Grandson Albert Cusack was united in matrimony with Sandra. An only daughter of this union is Taylor Cusack.
  • Grandson Mark Cusack relocated to Ada, MI. He wed Dianne. The couple's trio of daughters are Rosemary Cusack, Carrianne Cusack and Mariella Cusack.
  • Granddaughter Mary Anne Cusack ( ? - ? )
  • Grandson Ronnie Cusack exchanged marital vows with Shannon. They have raised a family of three -- Amy, Ashley and Jeff Deaton.
  • Grandson Donnie Cusack entered into marriage with Sandi. They bore three children -- Valorie Cusack, Andrea Cusack and Bradly Cusack.

Purple Heart 
Daughter Genevieve Marie "Tut" Minor (1933-2016) was born on Feb. 11, 1933 in Oklahoma City, a twin with her brother Gerald. On Dec. 15, 1951, she was joined in holy matrimony with Arkansas native Earl Leesekamp (March 6, 1931-2012). The couple spent virtually their entire 63 years of married life together in Oklahoma City. Four offspring borne of this marriage were Roger Earl Leesekamp, Alice Leep, Margaret H. "Peggy" Penland and Annette Leesekamp. Earl served in the U.S. Marine Corps during the Korean War and received a wound for which he was bestowed the Purple Heart. At the death of Geraldine's brother Warren in 1962, their dwelling-place was 3036 Northeast 29 and in 1982 at 9501 Henley. She liked to golf, gamble and volunteer her time for community causes. Said an obituary, Earl "was a self-made man and one of the hardest workers you could be around, having been very successful in the heavy equipment business. Completely devoted to his family, Papa was always there to fix anything that you needed fixed from a small engine to a house issue, there wasn't anything he couldn't figure out. Tough, disciplined, [with] with a heart of gold." Sadly, Earl passed away into the arms of the angels on April 18, 2012. In an obituary in the Oklahoman, the family requested that any memorial contributions be made to the Oklahoma Heart Institute and Pets for People.Genevieve survived as a widow for another four years and suffered the death of her son. She died in Oklahoma City at the age of 83 on July 21, 2016. Her obituary appeared in the Oklahoman.

  • Grandson Roger Earl Leesekamp (1955-2013) was born three days before Christmas 1955 in Oklahoma City. He attended John Marshall High School and then joined the ranks of the U.S. Marine Corps. When he was 20 years of age, on Nov. 12, 1976, he tied the knot with Kim Marie Morrison ( ? - ? ). Their union encured the ebbs and flows of 36 years together. They produced a trio of children -- Sheldon Leesekamp, Keri Leesekamp and Jason Coffey. Roger earned a living for three years as an electrician with Williams Electric Company and held a membership in the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers Local 1141. As time allowed he liked to follow spring car racing and at times worked in the pit crew for his racing brother-in-law Harold Lloyd Leep Jr. Sadly, at the age of 57, he passed away on Feb. 7, 2013. His obituary was published in the Oklahoman.

    Great-grandson Sheldon Leesekamp ( ? - ? )

    Great-granddaughter Keri Leesekamp ( ? - ? )

    Great-grandson Jason Coffey ( ? - ? )

  • Granddaughter Alice Ann Leesekamp (1952- ? ) was born in 1952. She was baptized in the Corpus Christi Church on Nov. 2, 1952, by the hand of Rev. R.. Spain, a happy event reported in the Oklahoma Courier. By 1982, she wed Harold Lloyd Leep Jr. (Oct. 9, 1952-2008), a native of Wichita, KS and the son of Harold Lloyd and Sibyl Joy (Price) Leep Sr. and stepson of Larr Leon Slack. The couple made a home in Oklahoma City and raised a family of two -- Jeff Leep and Lloyd Leep. Harold Jr.'s father was famed as a local dirt track driver who twice had operated the Thunderbird Speedway. Harold Jr. thus grew up in the racing environment and became a competitive driver in his own right. The Tulsa World newspaper is full of references to the races in which he took part in the 1970s, '80s, '90s and early 2000s at the Fairgrounds Speedway and State Fair Speedway and other tracks. He also was talented at lettering signs. Sadly, Harold died at the age of 55 on May 30, 2008. His obituary was printed in his hometown newspaper, the Wichita Eagle, which said that "words cannot express the greatness of a man and all he has done for people and lives he has touched." A memorial service was held at the State Fair Speedway.

    Great-grandson Jeff Leep ( ? - ? ) married Maggie. 

    Great-grandson Lloyd Leep wed ( ? - ? ) Heather. 

  • Granddaughter Margaret H. "Peggy" Leesekamp ( ? - ? ) was born on (?). On March 12, 1982, she married Gill Lawrence Penland (Oct. 7, 1954-2023), son of Glen and Alma Penland. Their nuptials were held in the Senate Room of the Lincoln Plaza Forum, by the hand of Rev. Leroy Sebastian. Together they bore a family of two -- Christy Self and Mathew Penland. The family's final home together was in Yukon, OK. Gill surrendered to the angel of death on March 7, 2023. His obituary was published in the Oklahoman.

    Great-granddaughter Christy Penland ( ? - ? ) married Ricky Self.

    Great-grandson Mathew Penland ( ? - ? ) wed Shaina. 

  • Granddaughter Annette Leesekamp ( ? - ? ) was joined in wedlock with Kelly Self.

Rose Hill Burial Park 
Courtesy Janet LaMotte, MHR

Son Gerald Gene "Pete" Minor (1933-2003) was born on Feb. 11, 1933 in Oklahoma City, a twin with his sister Genevieve. He attended Northeast High School. In young manhood he joined the U.S. Navy and served during the Korean War era, receiving his discharge in 1955. After his return home Gerald settled in Oklahoma City at 2856 Northeast 23. Circa June or July 1956, he married June Coats ( ? - ? ). News of their marriage license was published in the Oklahoma City Daily Law Journal-Record. Gerald was the father of Kenneth V. Minor. A stepdaughter in this family was Dana Winter. In time he became a companion of Rosine Wolf ( ? - ? ) who had three children of her own -- Linda, Donna and Ray. Gerald was employed for a number of years by Oklahoma Natural Gas. Then in 1961 he branched out on his own, founding his own plumbing, heating and air conditioning business, which he operated for the balance of his life. He held a membership in the Veterans of Foreign Wars and when time allowed liked to fish, hunt, help people and play dominoes. He died on Nov. 30, 2003, at the age of 70. An obituary in the Oklahoman asked that any memorial gifts be made to the American Lung Association of Oklahoma.

  • Grandson Kenneth V. Minor (1958-2023) was born on Oct. 21, 1958. He entered into marriage with Beth ( ? - ? ). They remained together for four decades until cleaved apart by death. The couple produced a duo of children -- Jennifer Minor and Christopher Minor. Kenneth attended Oklahoma State University and studied chemical engineering but did not earn a degree. He founded his own business, Minor Mechanical. He also developed land and building projects on Lake Texoma, one of the nation's largest reservoirs. He followed the fortunes of Oklahoma State Cowboys sports teams but also rooted for Oklahoma University Sooners. Said an obituary, "He was a generous man who shared his time and expertise without charge. A man of impeccable character, Ken loved mentoring and opened his business to family and friends interested in learning a trade to further their own careers and the betterment of their families. He took great joy in the success of others." Sadly, Kenneth succumbed to the spectre of death at the age of 64 on Feb. 20, 2023. The remains were laid to eternal rest in Rose Hill Burial Park.

 

Copyright © 2001-2003, 2009, 2013, 2018-2019, 2023-2024 Mark A. Miner