Bio-Miner, JohnGilbert

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John "Gilbert" Miner
(1847-1919)

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

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 F. "Tom" Miner, Vernon A. Minor, Roland "Rolla" A. Minor, John I. Minor, 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 generally was a butcher by occupation. The federal census of 1870 shows 23-year-old Gilbert and 20-year-old Harriet 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.

In 1900, when Gilbert was 53, he and Harriet 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.

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."

Harriet outlived her husband by 13 years. In 1920, when the federal census was taken, she was residing in Hebron with her son Vernon.

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

~ Son Vernon A. Miner ~

Son Vernon A. Miner (1870-1955) 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."

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 had no children. 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. In 1942, Vernon moved into Sherman Nursing Home, where he died on April 10, 1955.

Emma passed away in 1924.

~ Son Roland "Rolla" Miner ~

Son Roland Miner (also spelled "Rollin" and "Rolla") (1872- ? ) grew up building boats on Buckeye Lake. He married Estella Foust (1880- ? ) 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, 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."

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 at right 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.

All were dead by 1960, according to family notes.

Son Carlos Lee Miner (1898- ? ) was a hoist engineer on a dredge boat for the Freeport Sulphur Company, and registered as such for the military draft during World War I. He married Josie A. (1905- ? ) in about 1926. They lived in Freeport when the 1930 census was taken. That year, Carlos was employed as a foreman on the sulphur docks. They had two known sons -- Carlos Lee Miner Jr. and James H. Miner.
Son John Frederick Miner (1899- ) worked as an assistant time keeper with the Freeport Sulphur Company circa 1918. He too registered for the World War I military draft.

~ Daughter Clara (Miner) Rockey Traver ~

Daughter Clara Miner (1875- ? ) married her first husband, Charles F. Rockey (1871-1909), the son of Hiram and Susan Rockey of Lancaster, Fairfield County, OH. They Rockeys were farmers. Their children were Scott Rockey, Helen Rockey, Mary Rockey and Gerald Rockey.

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.

The widowed Clara and their four children lived next to her parents and brother John 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.

Later, she married (?) Traver, and lived in Columbus, Franklin County, OH.

~ Son Taylor "Tom" Miner ~

Son Taylor F. "Tom" Miner (1878-1952) stood 5 ft. 9 in. tall, with blue eyes and brown hair. He was a laborer. He served in the Spanish-American War, with the 7th OH Infantry, Co. K. He mustered into the regiment at age 20 on June 20, 1898.

After the war, he lived in Hebron, and married Minnie Stanley of Milford Center, OH. Their children were Leonard Miner and Mrs. George Skipper. They were members of the Church of Christ, Disciples. He was employed as a "decorator" in Columbus, Franklin County, and resided at 35 West Hubbard Avenue.

Tom passed away of colon cancer on April 30, 1952 at home in Columbus. He was buried in Union Cemetery in Columbus.

~ Daughter Mabel (Miner) Davis Parsons ~

Daughter Mabel Miner (1880-1977) 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.

Later, Mabel married James (?) Parsons. She lived in Columbus circa 1960, at which time she wrote a three-page family history letter. 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 married Lena Knorr and had two sons, Harold Davis and Forrest Davis.

~ Son John I. Miner ~

Son John I. Miner (1883- ? ) married Margaret B. (?) (1892- ? ) in 1910. She was nine years younger than her husband. The census of 1910 shows them living next to John's parents and widowed sister Clara Rockey in Hebron.

Later, John resided in Sarasota, FL circa 1952. He later lived in Wagner, OK, during the last years of his life. According to family lore, he had a son who died in Alaska of blood poisoning.

~ Son William Miner ~

Son William Miner (1885-1969) moved to various locations, including Taft, CA, Caney, KS and Wagner and Ponca City, OK. In Wagner, he owned and operated a plumbing business. He married Elsie Lynn, and their children were Muriel DeWhitt, Herbert M. Miner, Elsie Woodrow Bare and Roberta McAlster. William died in 1969 after a short illness.

Son Herbert Miner was a welder, pipefitter and plumber in Duroda, OK, as well as owner of Miner's Bargain Center and Eudora Cash Hardware.

~ Son James C. Miner ~

Son James C. Miner (1890- ? ) was a driller in Hebron before moving to Cleveland, OH, where he worked as a tool dresser. On Dec. 9, 1914, he married Ann Alice Antel ( ? - ? ). They had seven children -- Warren Kenneth Minor, Albert Virgil Minor, Michael Minor, Clyde Lawrence Minor Sr., Ella Mae "Sis" Cusack, Genevieve "Tut" Leeskamp and Gerald Gene "Pete" Minor. They migrated to the Texas oilfields in about 1927 or 1927, and then moved again to Oklahoma City in the 1930-1933 timeframe.

Son Clyde Miner married Edna Vrana, lived in Oklahoma City, OK, and raised a family.