James
S. Minor
(1833-1905)
James S. Minor was born in Brownsville,
Licking County, OH on Oct. 18,
1833, the son of Jacob and Mary (Ferguson)
Miner. He was a "well known painter" of Newark, Licking County.
On April 4, 1862, at the age of 29, James married Angeline C. Hamilton (1838-1914). Their five children were Estella Ferguson, Carrie Wilson Wilkinson, Joseph R. Minor, Herbert J. Miner and Oren Bernard Minor.
In 1869, James and Angeline purchased Lot 34 in the town of Brownsville. They then sold a tract of land in Bowling Green Twp. to his father. Later, they moved to Newark, where they resided at 10 Western Avenue.
Licking
County contains many beautiful scenes and natural vistas. No doubt the Minors
were familiar with some of the more well-known sites near Newark, such as Black Hand Rock, seen
here.
The Newark Daily Advocate said James "was an honorable, industrious man" and a "veteran painter."
Heartache shook the family on June 26, 1881 when 10-year-old son Herbert died, of causes unknown. He is buried in the family plot at Cedar Hill Cemetery in Brownsville.
In about 1900, James fell and injured himself, likely in a work-related accident. He never fully recovered, though he lived for another five years.
Sadly, in February 1905, James came down
with a severe case of pneumonia. He died two weeks later, on Valentine's Day.
His obituary in the Newark Daily Advocate called him a "Well Known
Painter." He was laid to rest at Cedar Hill Cemetery, with the funeral
officiated by Rev. L.C. Sparks. "Many friends will mourn his death,"
the newspaper added.
Tragedy struck on April 8, 1914 when Angeline fell while visiting at the home of her son Joseph. She fell and broke her neck, causing instant death. Said the Newark American-Tribune:
...About five months ago Mrs. Minor was afflicted with paralysis and since that time has not been able to move about the house without assistance. This morning when she arose from bed about 7:30 o'clock she attempted to walk without aid and it was in this way she met her death.... She was a woman widely known for her beautiful character and her passing will be sadly regretted by many. She was a member of the First M.E. church and during her active life [was] one of the most regular attendants.
Evangeline was buried beside her husband in Brownsville's
Cedar Hill Cemetery.
Son Joseph married Emma Frances Gordon, was a resident of Newark, OH for 60 years and worked for the Licking Laundry. Their son George Raymond Minor served in the US Navy during World War I.
Daughter Estella married James H. Ferguson.
Son Oren (1880-1970) married Lillian M. Tonge (1882-1943). They settled in New Philadelphia, OH, where, said the Newark Times-Reporter, he "was associated with John Joss from 1910 to 1947 in the operation of the Watch Shop." They are buried at the East Avenue Cemetery.
Oren's son Frederick William Minor (1908-1999), a real estate broker, owned his own firm, the Fred W. Minor agency of North Canton, Stark County, OH. He worked on the genealogy of this line in the 1970s and '80s, and many of his findings are reflected in this biography.
Oren's daughter Edith married Edwin Maurer, and they owned the Edwin Maurer Company in New Philadelphia, a successful furniture and carpet business.
Copyright © 2000-2003 Mark A. Miner