Nancy
(Minerd/White) McDonald
(1854-1917)
Nancy J. (Minerd) McDonald was born in 1854 in Fayette
County, PA, the daughter of Mariah Minerd.
When Nancy's mother married Perry G. White, when Nancy was just a small girl, it's possible she was taken in as one of Perry's own, and perhaps was renamed "White."
When Nancy was age 6, in 1860, the federal census shows her
named as "Nancy J. Minerd" and living with her mother and stepfather,
along with her half-brothers and half-sisters, all named "White."
In August 1870, when the federal census was taken, and Nancy would have been age 16, she was not living in her mother's household. It is entirely possible that she had gotten married by that time, or was working in someone else's household.
At a young age, Nancy wed John William McDonald (1854-1933), the son of William and Sarah Ann (Peterson) McDonald of Indiana. Shortly after marriage, the McDonalds migrated westward.
According to a descendant, John worked for the railroad, "so they moved around."
They had seven children between 1876 and 1897, born in four different states and territories -- Jessie Mae McDonald, Grace Edna McDonald and William Perry McDonald (all born in Prescott Twp., Adams County, IA); Charles Samuel McDonald and Mabel Rachel McDonald (both born in South Dakota Territory); Viola Blanche McDonald (born in or near St. Paul, Howard County, NE); and George T. D. McDonald (born in Palo Pinto, TX).
In 1885, when the Territorial Census of South Dakota was enumerated, the
McDonalds were residing in the community of Hand.
Seen at left is the McDonald house in St. Paul, NE in the early 1900s. In view, left to right, are George, Mabel, Blanche, Blanche's friend and Nancy, with their pet dog Jack. The house was still standing in the late 1980s, and had been converted into a duplex apartment.
Nancy was back in Nebraska circa September 1904 at the time of the death of her sister Mary Frances Turner. She was mentioned in the Turner obituary which appeared in a Uniontown (PA) newspaper. Nancy would have been age 48 at the time.
Little else is known of Nancy's life. She died near St. Paul, NE in 1917. She was age 63. She was laid to rest at Elmwood Cemetery near St. Paul.
Within the year, widower John made a 16-mile move from St. Paul to Wolbach, Greeley County, NE.
Wolbach's Main Street in Nebraska
A double tragedy struck a year later, during World War
I. Son
George. who had blue eyes and dark brown hair, left their home in Wolbach and joined the U.S. Army. While
in training at Fort Riley, KS, he became sick during an epidemic of
influenza, and died of the disease at age 21. A rare photograph of George in
civilian clothes, peacefully enjoying a smoke on his pipe, is seen at right.
He is one of a large number of cousins to give their lives in the service of our
nation, and he is enshrined on our Minerd.com Honor
Roll.
Also in 1918, George's sister Mabel died of unknown causes in St. Paul.
John outlived his wife by 16 years, and passed away in 1933. He was age 79. He was buried beside Nancy.
Daughter Jessie Mae (1876-1931) passed away in Wyoming.
Daughter Grace Edna (1878-1956) passed away in Erath County, TX on April 21, 1956.
Son William (1881-1963) died on Aug. 11, 1963 in Denton County, TX.
Son Charles (1884-1967) passed away in St. Paul, NE on June 24, 1967.
Daughter Viola Blanche (1893-1960) resided in Oregon. She died there on Nov. 17, 1960.
Contact Marie (McDonald) Harrell for more information.
Copyright © 2003, 2005 Mark A. Miner