Minerd.com Biography of Chester O. and Margaret (Reed) Miner of Flora and Cisne, IL

Home

Chester O. Miner
(1886-1936)

Chester O. Miner was born on June 24, 1886 in Omega, Marion County, IL, the son of Chance and Martha (Jones) Miner. He was a longtime farmer in Central Illinois.

On Aug. 19, 1907, when Chester was 22, he married 19-year old Margaret Ann "Maggie" Reed (1888-1953), the daughter of Albert and Phoebe (Nottingham) Reed, and a resident of Ingraham, Clay County, IL. The ceremony was performed by justice of the peace Paul Farr. At the time, Chester was a farmer living in Songer Township, Clay County.

The Miners had at least six children -- Alice Mildred Fitzgerald, Pauline D. Miner, Almita Sutherland, Garland Edward Miner Sr. and Robert L. Miner, plus one who died young.

When the federal census was taken in 1910, the Miners lived on a farm in Songer Township. They had a six-month-old daughter Alice, and apparently had another child who had died prior to that year.

In 1913, at age 27, Chester was residing in Clay County. That year, he witnessed three sworn statements his mother made in her effort to receive his late father's accrued Civil War pension. His signature appears on all three documents.

Federal census enumeration records for 1920 show the family in Flora, Harter Township, Clay County.

The 1930 census shows that the Miners had migrated southward, over the Clay County line, to neighboring Cisne, Wayne County, IL. That year, living in their household were four of their children: Pauline (age 14), Almite (9), Gerland (7) and Robert (4). John was unemployed at that time but when working was a "laborer" at "odd jobs."

Chester died in Geff, Lamard Township, Wayne County, on Oct. 9, 1936, at the age of 50. He rests in the Cisne Cemetery in Bedford, Wayne County. [Find-a-Grave]

The widowed Margaret married a second time to Joe Bringuet (1881-1943).

Her final home was in Girard, Macoupin County, IL. She died there at the age of 63 on March 14, 1953. Interment of the remains was in Girard Township Cemetery in Macoupin County.

~ Daughter Mildred Alice (Miner) Fitzgerald ~

Daughter Mildred Alice Miner (1909-1999) was born on Nov. 17, 1909 in Xenia, Clay County, IL.

When she was about age 19, in 1928, she was joined in matrimony with Carl A. Fitzgerald (Dec. 13, 1907-1960).

The Fitzgeralds resided in Cisne, Wayne County, IL in the 1930s. By 1939, they relocated to Fairfield, Wayne County. Later, they resided in Girard, Macoupin County, IL.

They bore a family of these known children -- Carl Eugene "Gene" Fitzgerald, Helen M. Gardner, Edward Leroy Fitzgerald, Francis Leon Fitzgerald, Bobbie Ray Fitzgerald, Lora "Faye" Nichols and Margaret "Maggie" Gravelle

Grief cascaded over the family when two-year-old son Bobbie Ray was bitten on the right leg by a black widow spider when the family was living in Wayne County. His father found the boy clutching the insect. He suffered for two days and died on June 22, 1941. His tender remains were laid to rest in the Koontz Cemetery in Fairfield, Wayne County. A coroner's jury was called to determine cause of death, said an Associated Press article published statewide, and ruled that it was due to the spider's poison.

Carl passed into eternity at the age of 52 on Feb. 22, in 1960.

Mildred lived for another 39 years as a widow. She died at the age of 89 in Girard on Feb. 6, 1999. Burial took place in Girard Township Cemetery.

Son Carl Eugene "Gene" Fitzgerald (1929-2010) was born on Oct. 24, 1929 in Cisne, Wayne County, IL. At the age of 19, on June 11, 1949, he was joined in holy wedlock with Rosemary "Eileen" Rucker ( ? - ? ). Their nuptials were held at St. Patrick's Catholic Church in Girard, and the union endured for more than six decades. Gene and Eileen bore four daughters -- Linda Upp, Donna Dugger, Jeannine Goss and Elaine Edge. Gene earned a living over the years working for Girard Elevator and later employed by his brothe Leroy with Fitzgerald Elevator Repair. At the brother's death, Gene and his nephew David Fitzgerald became partners in the firm which was reorganized into Grainland Construction. Gene retired from the business in 1994. He was a passionate fan of the St. Louis Cardinals baseball team and took a daily walkThe couple spent their retirement years in Girard. Sadly, Gene died in St. John's Hospital in Springfield at the age of 80 on March 2, 2010. His survivors numbered nine grandchildren and seven great-grandchildren. Burial of the remains was in Girard Township Cemetery.

Granddaughter Linda Fitzgerald ( ? - ? ) was born in (?). She married Randy Upp. Their home in 2010 was in Girard.

Granddaughter Donna Fitzgerald ( ? - ? ) was born in (?). She wedded George Dugger. They dwelled in Girard.

Granddaughter Jeannine Fitzgerald ( ? - ? ) was born in (?). She was united in matrimony with Richard Goss. The couple established a residence in Plainfield, IL.

Granddaughter Elaine Fitzgerald ( ? - ? ) was born in (?). She was joined in wedlock with Darrell Edge. They lived in Hannibal, MO.

Daughter Helen M. Fitzgerald (1931-2015) was born on April 6, 1931 in Cisne, Wayne County, IL. On Dec. 6, 1947 -- at the age of 16 -- she married Francis Lee "Speck" Gardner (March 15, 1929-2013), a native of Virden, Macoupin County, IL and the son of Manning and Clara (Cline) Gardner. Two children were born to this union -- Carl Gardner and Alice M. Garrison. Francis served in the U.S. Army. Later, from 1951 to 1983, a span of 32 years, he was employed as a crane operator by Fiat-Allis in Springfield. In their free time, the pair liked to bowl. Francis also liked to camp, fish, bird-watch and build birdhouses while Helen enjoyed bowling, bingo and rooting for the University of Illinois Illini basketball team and the St. Louis Cardinals. The couple's final years were spent in Springfield, Sangamon County, IL. Francis passed away on Aug. 15, 2013, at the age of 84. Helen lived for another 17 months. She died there at the age of 83 on Jan. 25, 2015. Interment of the remains was in Girard Township Cemetery in Macoupin County. An obituary noted that she was survived by five grandchildren, three step-grandchildren, eight great-grandchildren and seven step-great-grandchildren. Burial was in Girard Cemetery following funeral services officiated by Rev. Marty Nagel.

Grandson Carl Gardner wedded Ginger. They lived in Lexington/Pelion, SC.

Granddaughter Alice M. Gardner married Lee Garrison. Circa 2015, they made a home in Springfield, Sangamon County, IL.

Son Edward Leroy Fitzgerald (1933-1986) was born on March 30, 1933 in Cisne, Wayne County, IL. He was united in matrimony with Joyce Mary Rucker (Aug. 15, 1931-2001), daughter of Charles E. and Virginia Lee (Delcourt) Rucker and a native of Girard, Macoupin County, IL. The couple bore one son, David Fitzgerald. They dwelled in Springfield, Sangamon County, IL. As a patient in Memorial Medical Center, he succumbed to death on July 1, 1986, at the age of 53. He rests for all time in Girard Township Cemetery. Joyce outlived her husband by 15 years. She passed into eternity on May 1, 2001, in Springfield.

Grandson David Fitzgerald

Son Francis Leon "Fuz" Fitzgerald (1935-2006) was born on Feb. 7, 1935 in Cisne, Wayne County, IL. He was joined in wedlock with Ruth Corinne Cherry (June 29, 1937- ? ). They were the parents of three offspring -- Patrick Fitzgerald, Kim Fitzgerald and Diana Fitzgerald. Francis died in Girard, Macoupin County at the age of 71 on Nov. 21, 2006. Burial was in Girard Township Cemetery.

Grandson Patrick Fitzgerald

Granddaughter Kim Fitzgerald

Granddaughter Diana Fitzgerald

Daughter Lora "Faye" Fitzgerald (1941-2002) was born on July 13, 1941 in Fairfield, Wayne County, IL. Circa 1957, in nuptials held at Carlinville, Lora wedded Harold E. Nichols ( ? - ? ). They produced a daughter and a son, Deborah K. Butler and Michael E. Nichols. The couple is believed to have made a home in Girard, Macoupin County, IL. Lora was employed by several nursing homes over the years as a certified nurse's assistant. Then in 1991, she began to provide in-home health care services. Sadly, at the age of 61, Lora succumbed to death at home in Girard on Dec. 14, 2002. Following a funeral service preached by Rev. Randel Mercer, her remains were lowered under the sod in Girard Township Cemetery. She was survived by five grandchildren.

Granddaughter Deborah K. Nichols married Robert Butler. They have dwelled in Girard, IL.

Grandson Michael E. Nichols lived in Girard.

Daughter Margaret "Maggie" Fitzgerald ( ? - ? ) was born in (?). She was twice married. Her first spouse was Orvie J. Gunn (June 28, 1931-2007). They were the parents of Eugene Gunn, Jerry Leon "Gunner" Gunn and Shelley Gunn. The couple eventually divorced. On March 21, 1974, in Las Vegas, she married Joseph "Wayne" Gravelle (June 23, 1933-2011), son of Sherman Charles and Clara Inanda (Eelesson) Gravelle of Orland, CA. Wayne was a U.S. Air Force veteran of the Korean War. He obtained an associate degree in accounting from Chico State in California, where he played college football. He was an insurance broker early in his career and was employed as an accountant for 15 years by the State of Illinois. He followed the San Francisco 49ers football team and liked to relax by swimming. The couple resided in Girard, IL and Las Vegas for many years. Tragedy blanketed the family when their son Jerry, age 28, passed away in Springfield on May 1, 1986. Concluding their marriage of 37 years, Wayne died in Springfield at the age of 78 on Oct. 23, 2011. Burial was held in Girard Township Cemetery. Ex-husband Orvie Gunn passed away on April 18, 2007.

Grandson Orvie "Eugene" Gunn lived in Girard in 2011.

Grandson Jerry Leon "Gunner" Gunn ( ? -1986) was born in (?). He married Cheri and was the father of Chad Allen Gunn and Jared Michael Gunn. The family dwelled in Girard. At the age of 28, Jerry was admitted to St. John's Hospital and succumbed to death on May 1, 1986. An obituary was printed in the Springfield State Journal-Register. Burial was in Girard Township Cemetery.

Granddaughter Shelley Gunn was wedded twice. Her first husband was (?) Smith. Her residence in the 1980s was in Las Vegas. By 2011, she had married again to Mike Talkington and had returned to Girard.

~ Daughter Pauline D. Miner ~

Daughter Pauline D. Miner (1916- ? ) was born in about 1916.

~ Daughter Almita (Miner) Sutherland ~

Daughter Almita Miner (1921-2009) was born on July 24, 1921.

Evidence suggests that she was joined in marriage with (?) Sutherland ( ? - ? ).

She died in Girard at the age of 87 on March 24, 2009. She rests for all time in Pleasant Hill Cemetery in Virden, Macoupin County, IL. Her grave marker features an elaborate carving of an angel.

~ Son Garland Edward Miner Sr. ~

Son Garland Edward Miner Sr. (1922-1994) was born on Nov. 23, 1922 in Bible Grove, Clay County, IL.

He wedded Genevieve Grace "Jenny" Motley (Aug. 8, 1928-2003), who had been born in Kincaid, Christian County, IL. She was the daughter of Helen Motley of Hessville, IN.

The pair bore five known offspring -- Garland "Edward" Miner Jr., Carl Miner, Wilda Doeing Carroll Ennis, Dolly Engles and Margaret Habina.

Garland was swept away by the Angel of Death at the age of 72 on June 7, 1994, in Cedar Lake, Lake County, IN.

Genevieve moved to Valparaiso, Porter County, IN. She succumbed there at the age of 74 on Jan. 9, 2003. At death, her survivors included 23 grandchildren and 30 great-grandchildren.

Rev. Jeff Newton presided over both of their funeral services, with the remains lowered into rest in Calumet Park Cemetery in Merrillville, Lake County, IN.

Son Garland "Edward" Miner Jr. married Cora and made a home in Griffith, IL in the 1990s and Schneider, IN in 2003.

Son Carl Miner was united in marriage with Shelly. They put down roots in Cedar Lake. By 2003, he had moved to Portage.

Daughter Wilda Miner ( ? - ? ) has been married at least thrice. Her first two spouses were Robert Doeing ( ? - ? ), son of Norma Olvera -- and Clyde Carroll ( ? - ? ). To these marriages she bore seven known children -- Patrick A. Doeing, Troy W. Carroll, Robert Carroll, Susan Smith, Tisha Doeing, Janet Habina and Crystal Dougherty. She lived in Gary, IN in 1994. Later, she married Jerry Ennis ( ? - ? ) and was the mother of Michael Ennis. They were in Calumet Township in 2003. Waves of grief swept through the family when son Patrick died at age 29 in 2008 and son Troy at age 40 in 2012.

Grandson Patrick A. Doeing (1979-2008) was born on June 19, 1979. He resided in Merrillville, IN and was the father of five -- Alyssa Doeing, Ashley Doeing, Alex Doeing, Matthew Doeing and Emalie Doeing. He worked for Nason's Appliance and in his free time coached T-ball at the Longfellow School. Sadly, at the age of 29, he died on June 29, 2008. Funeral services were led by Rev. Doug Klukken, with interment following in Calumet Park Cemetery. His obituary was printed in the Post-Tribune.

Grandson Troy W. Carroll (1982-2012) was born in about 1982. He wedded Dawn Bodnar ( ? - ? ). She brought two sons to the union, Joshua Bodnar and Michael Bodnar. The couple had two children of their own, Brittany Carroll and Kyle Carroll. Their home in 2008 was in Bessemer, AL and by 2012 they had relocated to Gary, IN. On Oct. 13, 2012, Troy died at the age of 40 in Gary. The Post-Tribune published an obituary.

Grandson Robert Carroll ( ? - ? ) married Misty. They resided in McCulla, AL. Later, he was united in wedlock with Beth.

Granddaughter Susan Smith ( ? - ? )

Granddaughter Tisha Doeing ( ? - ? )

Granddaughter Janet was joined in marriage with James C. Habina.

Granddaughter Crystal was united in wedlock with Daniel "Danny" Dougherty.

Grandson Michael Ennis married Deana. They dwelled in Kansas in 2008 and in Fredericksburg, Stafford County, VA in 2009. The couple produced three known offspring -- Michael Ennis, Tyler Ennis and Dorthy Ann Ennis. The family grieved when their daughter Dorthy died at birth on Feb. 7, 2009. The tender child's obituary was printed in the Fredericksburg Free Lance-Star.

Daughter Dolly Miner first was joined in wedlock with (?) Engles. She relocated to Virginia. She wedded again to James Hughes ( ? - ? ) and lived in Stafford County, VA.

Daughter Margaret Miner was twice married. Her first spouse was J.C. Habina ( ? - ? ). Their residence in 1994 was in Virginia. Her second husband was Gary Kimble ( ? - ? ). They established a residence in Shalotte, Brunswick County, NC.

~ Son Robert L. Miner ~

Son Robert L. Miner (1926- ? ) was born in about 1926.

Nothing more is known.

Minerd.com extends thanks to Sybil A. Layton for research published on her Family Lineages website.