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Carl Minerd |
Carl Minerd claimed to have been born on July 4, 1864, allegedly in McAlester, Pittsburg County, OK, the son of Isaac and Catherine (Smiley) Minerd.
His parents made their primary residence in Dunbar, Fayette County, PA, and are not known to have ventured so far from home at such an early time when Oklahoma was still Native American Territory and not open for settlement. Thus the reference to Oklahoma is questionable and needs to be studied more.
Carl is known to us in only one document -- his official death certificate from the State of California. His is not shown in any federal census records as living with his parents in Western Pennsylvania, and is mentioned in none of his brothers' or sisters' newspaper obituaries over the years.
In his death certificate, the names of Carl's parents are given as "Isaac Minerd" and "Catherine Smiley." His birthplace is stated as "McAlester, Oklahoma," and as with his father, brothers and cousins, his usual occupation was listed as a "miner" in the coal industry. But in an unusual twist, most of his siblings' newspaper obituaries during Carl's lifetime have been examined in detail, and he is never once mentioned, at least by the name of "Carl."
At some point, Carl married Mary ( ? - ? ), but her maiden name and birth/death dates are not known.
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Rancho Los Amigos Hospital, Hondo, where Carl died |
Carl lived to the age of 79, and spent his final 23 years residing in California. In early 1943, he was admitted to the Rancho Los Amigos Hospital in Hondo, Los Angeles County. He suffered from hardening of the arteries and heart disease, as well as psychosis.
After spending seven months, 17 days at Rancho Los Amigos, Carl passed away on Nov. 22, 1943. His funeral arrangements were handled by the Los Angeles County General Hospital, and his remains were cremated by the Los Angeles County Crematory. A national search on Newspapers.com produced no obituary.
Mary's fate is lost to history for now, but will be investigated.
Copyright © 2007, 2012, 2022 Mark A. Miner