Minerd.com Biography of Charles and Clara Etta (Stoner) Miner of Fort Madison, IA

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Charles Miner
(1864-1935)

Charles Miner was born on Jan. 10 or Feb. 2, 1863 or Feb. 9, 1864, in Des Moines County, IA, the son of Nathaniel and Susan (Abbott) Miner. Sources for his birthdate differ.

He moved in boyhood with his parents to a farm near West Point, Pleasant Ridge Township, Lee County.

On March 15, 1883, at the age of 20, Charles entered into the rite of marriage with Clara Etta Stoner ( ? - ? ). She was the daughter of John and Malinda (Lyle) Stoner, former Ohioans who were pioneers of Iowa, settling first in Henry County and then moving to Lee County in about 1875.

The Miners resided in Fort Madison, Lee County. In 1884, at the birth of their eldest daughter, Charles' nationality was stated in the official Iowa record as "German."

Bird's-eye view of Fort Madison, with the Mississippi River in the background

Among their offspring were Nella Ethel Miner, Sherman E. Miner and Grace Myrtle Hall.

Clara and Charles are mentioned in a biographical profile of her brother Reuben C. Stoner in the 1905 book, Biographical Review of Lee County, Iowa.

Clara died sometime prior to 1894, but the details are not yet known. Research suggests that she may be the same "Clara E. Miner" (1865-1887) who is buried in Bethany Cemetery in Lowell, Henry County, IA, but this needs to be confirmed. [Find-a-Grave]

Then four days before Christmas 1894, now age 31, Charles married again to 29-year-old Alice Sarah (Enslow) McColloch (June 10, 1863-1934), daughter of Elias H. and Sarah "Gertrude" (Lee) Enslow of Pleasant Ridge Township. Justice of the peace James B. Pease officiated. It was a second marriage for both, with Alice believed to have been divorced from her first husband, Samuel Crew McColloch.

The couple immediately settled in Fort Madison. They did not reproduce.

Said the Fort Madison Evening Democrat,

Said the Fort Madison Evening Democrat, Charles "was a lover of fine horses and is remembered as having been the owner of the finest horses ever seen in this community."

When the federal census enumerations again were made in 1920 and 1930, the Miners resided in Fort Madison with him continuing his longtime work as a teamster, engaged in hauling gravel and sand. Lodgers Charles G. and Harold D. Thrasher lived under their roof in 1920, employed locally as firemen.

The couple's final residence was at 1535 Avenue E in Fort Madison.

Alice Sarah suffered a cerebral hemorrhage in about 1929 and never fully recovered over the remaining five years of her her life. Then after slipping and falling on a floor at home, fracturing her left femur, she was admitted to Sacred Heart Hospital in Fort Madison and passed away on Sept. 16, 1934. R.H. Hall of West Point, IA signed the official Iowa certificate of death. Her demise terminated their marriage which had endured for 41 years.

Charles' outlived his bride by less than a year and went to live with his married daughter Grace Myrtle Hall in West Point. Stricken with stomach cancer, aggravated by gallstones, he died at the age of 70 on Jan. 3, 1935. Interment of the remains was in Oakland Cemetery.

~ Daughter Nella Ethel Miner ~

Daughter Nella Ethel Miner (1884- ? ) was born on May 8, 1884 in Pleasant Ridge Township, Lee County, IA. Deantha Lessinger of nearby West Point assisted in the delivery. On the official record of Nella's birth, her father's nationality was listed as "German."

Nella's fate is not yet known. If she was living at the time, she would have been very young at her mother's death. She does not appear in her father's household in the year 1900 when the federal census enumeration was made. That might suggest that she was deceased, or possibly had been taken in to be raised by another family.

No record of a death, burial or marriage has been found.

~ Daughter Grace Myrtle (Miner) Hall ~

Daughter Grace Myrtle Miner (1884-1969) was born on Oct. 27, 1884 in Wever, Green Bay Township, Lee County, IA. C.M. McCannon assisted with the birth.

Rendered motherless in her childhood, Grace lived with her father and stepfather in Fort Madison in 1900 at the time of the federal census enumeration. She completed an eighth grade education.

On Feb. 16, 1904, at the age of 20, she was joined in wedlock with 19-year-old Raymond H. Hall (1885-1968), son of Homer and Josephine Hall of West Point, Lee County. Theodore Hunter of West Point presided over the nuptials, held in Fort Madison.

The Halls put down roots on a farm in West Point. The United States Census of 1910 shows the young family there with Raymond's widowed father in the household.

Circa 1920, both Raymond and Grace generated income as a rural mail carriers for the U.S. Post Office. Raymond continued this occupation as of 1930. Census records for 1940 show neither one had a job at that time as the nation was creeping out of the Great Depression.

The only known son of the couple was Emmett Faught Hall. He was burdened with blindness and attended special schools. The family was plunged into grief when he died in Glenwood Township, Winneshiek County, IA on Oct. 10, 1921.

Sadly, the couple died a year apart. Raymond succumbed in 1968.

Grace passed away in 1969. Burial was in West Point Cemetery.

Son Emmett Faught Hall (1904-1921) was born on May 29, 1904. He is believed to have attended the Iowa School for the Blind in Vinton. Then in about 1914, he was admitted to the Institution for Feeble Minded Children in Glenwood, Mills County. He remained in Glenwood for the balance of his remaining years, a period of seven years, one month and nine days. After contracting pulmonary tuberculosis he suffered a hemorrhage and died at the age of 17 on Oct. 10, 1921. The body was returned to West Point for interment.

~ Son Sherman E. Miner ~

Son Sherman E. Miner (1887-1960) was born on June 8, 1887 in Fort Madison.

He was of medium build, with brown hair and brown eyes.

On Feb. 17, 1909, in Lee County, he married Rose Barbara Rings (1888-1974), daughter of Henry and Anna (Handrich) Rings.

They had three known children -- Kenneth Howard Miner, Willis Charles Miner and Raymond Miner.

The census of 1910 shows them living in Marion Township, Lee County, with Sherman having no occupation. They remained in Marion Township for at least a decade, and are shown there on the 1920 census, with Sherman marked as a farmer.

Sherman continued to labor as a farmer for the rest of his life.

By 1930, they had moved within the county to Franklin Township, and in 1935 received their postal mail in the town of Donnellson. The Miners remained on a farm in Franklin as shown in the 1940 census enumeration. In 1940, son Raymond and three-year-old grandson Kennet, born in Wyoming, were in the household.

The Miners' address in 1960 was 3224 Avenue H, Fort Madison

Sherman was burdened with hardening of the cerebral arteries and suffered a bleeding accident in early December 1960. A week later, he died at the age of 73 on Dec. 11, 1960 while in Sacred Heart Hospital. He rests for all time in Hillcrest Memorial Park in Fort Madison.

Rose survived her spouse by 14 years. She passed away in February 1974. Her death generated a one-line notice in the Des Moines Tribune.

Kenneth Miner's workplace, Sheaffer Pen. Left: Library of Congress

Son Kenneth Howard Miner (1911-1967) was born on Aug. 24, 1911 near Donnellson in Lee County, IA. He was a Donnellson High School graduate and in young manhood earned a living with the Ford Motor Company sales agency. On June 27, 1937, Kenneth was married to Adelaine "Isabelle" Breitenbucher (1911-1992), a native of Omaha, NE, and the daughter of C.F. Breitenbucher. The ceremony was held at 8 a.m. on a Sunday in the Presbyterian Church manse in Hamilton, IL, by the hand of Rev. Russell Hunter. News of the union appeared in the Kahoka (MO) Clark County Courier, which reported that the bride "wore a blue bengaline dress with white accessories and a shoulder corsage of pink rose buds and baby breath." Isabelle was an alumnia of the local high school in Keokuk and at the time of marriage worked in the office of S.F. Baker & Co. One known son of the couple was James Howard Miner. Kenneth stood 5 feet, 10½ inches tall and weighed 136 lbs. When the federal census enumeration was made in 1940, the family dwelled in Keokuk, Lee County, with Kenneth laboring as a mechanic in an automobile garage likely owned by Bartholomew Brothers. Then later in the year they moved to Fort Madison where he became employed in engineering with Sheaffer Pen Company in Fort Madison, eventually moving up to be a quality assurance manager. The family dwelled Fort Madison in 1950 and in 1967 in Montrose, IA. Tragically, on March 29, 1967, he was critically injured in a head-on, two-automobile collision on U.S. Route 61, about four miles north of Montrose. With extensive skull fractures and brain trauma, he was rushed to Graham Hospital in Keokuk where he was pronounced dead on arrival. A brief notice of the accident was published in the Des Moines Register. Interment was in Hillcrest Memorial Park. Isabelle outlived her spouse by a quarter of a century. Her final years were spent in or near Charlotte, NC. Sadly, at the age of 81, as a patient in Elliott White Springs Memorial Hospital, she died four days before Christmas 1992. A brief obituary was printed in the Charlotte Observer. The remains were shipped to Fort Madison for burial at Hillcrest.

Grandson James Howard Miner (1938-2020) was born on Aug. 2, 1938 in St. Joseph Hospital in Keokuk, IA. Dr. John R. Rankin assisted in the birth. James entered into marriage with his high school girlfriend, Loretta "Jean" Watson (Aug. 1, 1939-2024), daughter of Wallace Elmer "Flat" and Hazel Juanita (Whitehead) Watson. Their union held firm over the thick and thin of an extraordinary 61 years. The couple's trio of daughters were Teresa Miner, Cheri Pius and Michelle Reece. Their home for years was in Lancaster, SC, where James was employed by Thomas & Betts, a designer and manufacturer of connectors and components for electrical and communication markets. He finally retired in 2000. The Miners are known to have attended the Church of the Good Shepherd United Methodist Church. Said an obituary, "Jim loved tinkering in the garage and was able to fix anything. He was detail oriented in everything he did. Jim enjoyed hunting and fishing." He succumbed to the spectre of death at the age of 82 on Nov. 6, 2020 as a patient in Lancaster Health and Rehabilitation. The Lancaster News carried an obituary in which the family requested that any memorial contributions be made to the Alzheimer's Association. Rev. Larry Helm led the funeral rites. Jean survived for four years. In her own right, said an obituary, Jean "retired from Lancaster County Parks and Recreation Center after serving 23 years as the receptionist. She was a member of the Springs Memorial Hospital Auxiliary and served as the giftshop chairperson. In her younger years, she served as the Girl Scouts Brownie Leader." The angel of death cleaved her away at home at the age of 84 on April 30, 2024.

Great-granddaughter Teresa Miner made her home in 2020-2024 in St. Augustine, FL.

Great-granddaughter Cheri Miner is a 1992 graduate of Lancaster Senior High School. She wed Glenn Pius ( ? - ? ). Together they settled in St. Augustine, FL and produced two offspring, Ethan Pius and Hannah Pius. Cheri is a founder of Carousel Kids and may be employed in the parts department of Coggin Honda St. Augustine.

Great-granddaughter Michelle Miner married Matthew Reece. Two children in this family are Caleb Reece and Sidney Reece. Their dwelling-place in 2020-2024 was in Lancaster, SC.

Son Willis Charles Miner (1913-1963) was born on Sept. 23, 1913 in Lee County, IA. In Nashua, IA in 1936, he married Magnolia Griswold (1912-1980). The two children borne of this coupling were Darla Cater and Kenneth Miner. They made a home for 15 years in Clinton, IA at the address of 1008 South Eighth Street. William was employed as a steelworker in the construction industry. Magnolia was a 1931 graduate of Iowa State Teachers College in Cedar Falls, later becoming the University of Northern Iowa. They were members of the First United Methodist Church. Sadly, Willis was diagnosed with cancer of the lungs, which spread throughout the body. As a patient in Jane Lamb Hospital in Clinton, at the age of 50, he surrendered to the angel of death on Oct. 8, 1963. Burial was in Fort Madison's Hillcrest Memorial Park. Magnolia survived her husband by 17 years. She went back to school to obtain a nursing education at the Clinton Community College, graduating in 1967. From 1967 to 1978, she earned a living as a licensed practical nurse at Mercy Hospital. She also held a membership in the Iowa Board of Nursing. She died in St. Joseph Hospital of Denver, CO at the age of 69 on May 18, 1980. An obituary was published in the Davenport (IA) Quad-City Times.

Granddaughter Darla Miner wed Jerome "Jerry" Cater. They settled in Poway, CA and were there in 1977-1980. Circa 1977, she and Jerome were limited partners in a Poway business, Cyclovac Modular Cleaning Systems.

Grandson Kenneth Miner established a residence in Denton, TX.

Advertising postcard for Ray Miner's jewelry business

Son Raymond H. Miner (1919-2005) was born on May 10, 1919 in Marion Township, Lee County, IA. In 1940, single at the age of 20, he lived at home with his parents in Franklin Township, Lee County. In 1957, he married Mary Lou Kiener (Jan. 25, 1922-2004). They became the parents of two offspring, David Ray Miner and Deborah J. Miner. Raymond was a jeweler and sold keepsake and cardinal diamonds as well as Elgin, Bulova and Hamilton wristwatches, with his business located at 810 Avenue G. He also was active with the Fort Madison Jaycees and in 1952 was elected treasurer, with a group photograph published in the Fort Madison Evening Democrat. Mary Lou succumbed to the spectre of death at age 82 on June 12, 2004. Raymond survived for another 15 months. The angel of death spirited him away in Burlington, IA on Sept. 27, 2005. Their remains sleep for the ages in Hillcrest Memorial Park.

Granddaughter Deborah J. Miner (1958- ? ) was born on Oct. 29, 1958 in Fort Madison. She reeived her bachelor's degree in 1981 from Iowa State University. Deborah joined the staff of Better Homes & Gardens Books as a graphic designer in 1981 and remained in the position until 1985. She then was named art director for McCool & Company in Minneapolis, serving until 1991. She left in 1991 to found her own design firm. She has volunteered as a big sister in Big Brothers-Big Sisters of Minneapolis since 1994. She also belongs to the American Institute of Graphic Arts, including a term as treasurer of the Minnesota chapter in 1990-1992. Deborah remained in Minneapolis as of 2008.

Grandson David Ray Miner (1960-2008) was born on Oct. 7, 1960 in Fort Madison. On Aug. 27, 1988, in a wedding in his hometown, he was joined in wedlock with Carol Ann Richers ( ? - ? ), daughter of John and Sharolyn Richers of Fort Madison. Together they produced three children, Emily Miner, Nathan Miner and Sara Miner. The Miners settled in Donnellson, IA. David founded his own business, Miner Manufacturing, and worked with the company for 24 years until death. He held a membership in the First Christian Church of Keokuk and gave of his time as a youth leader. Said an obituary, he restored:

...five historic PCC streetcars for the City of Kenosha, Wisconsin in 2000 [and] also manufactured Tangley Calliaphone calliopes used on carousels and riverboats, plus self-playing accordions and other vintage musical instruments, vintage railcars, popcorn wagons and trucks and band organs at his facility. Dave Miner built two special air calliopes for the road show of "Showboat" which were quiet enough to mimic the sound of a steam calliope inside the confines of a theatre. They operated on 1/4 pound of air supplied by a tiny blower while emitting prop "steam", which was powder admitted into the blower unit for the calliope. These instruments simulated a larger calliope in that the whistles were mounted on a small air chamber painted black and rounded on the sides to resemble an actual steel-pipe manifold used by traditional steam calliopes.

He also founded Minerville Railroad, a replica 1930s hamlet with an adjacent Fort Madison, Farmington and Western Railroad country branch-line which was used for excursions on an abandoned right-of-way of the Chicago Burlington & Quincy Railroad. Opening in 1994, it was seen by some 7,000 visitors a year. His Minerville Depot and general store, one-room schoolhouse and print shopwere gifted to the Lee County Fairgrounds. He also was vice president of the Southeast Iowa Antique Car Club and performed in the city band. Anxiety cascaded over the family when David was diagnosed with cancer in 2007 and lived for another year until his demise at age 47 on Sept. 13, 2008. Rev. William Mitchell led the funeral rites in the family church.

Great-granddaughter Emily Miner ( ? - ? )

Great-grandson Nathan Miner ( ? - ? )

Great-granddaughter Sara Miner ( ? - ? )

Karen Kester generously has contributed valuable content for this biography.