Pittsburgh's Forbes Field, left, and University of Pittsburgh football stadium, where Dan was a regular spectator over the years. Below, some Pitt stars he saw in action: Marshall "Biggie" Goldberg, Mike Ditka and Tony Dorsett.

Dan was a rabid sports enthusiast and closely followed professional and collegiate teams in Pittsburgh. In April 1927, he and his brother Bill and many other Connellsville residents traveled to the Steel City to watch the Pirates' opening game against the Cincinnati Reds at Forbes Field. Later that year, the Pirates played the New York Yankees in the World Series, but were defeated four games to zero, with the New York "Murderer's Row" led by Babe Ruth and Lou Gehrig. 

He was an especially close friend of his dental school classmate Dr. John Bain "Jock" Sutherland, who went on to coach Pitt's football team to an 111-20-12 record and five national championships.  In fact, Dan named one of his sons after Coach Sutherland -- John Bain "Jock" Minerd. When the coach would come to Connellsville to recruit high school players, he and Dan often would get together for a sumptuous dinner and plenty of drinks.

During his many decades as a Pitt football fan, he got to watch such legends as Marshall "Biggie" Goldberg, Joe Schmidt, Mike Ditka and Tony Dorsett.

Campaign card,  1930s or '40s

In May 1943, during World War II, Dan attended the silver anniversary luncheon of the University of Pittsburgh School of Dentistry's Class of 1918. Sutherland -- then serving as lieutenant commander in the U.S. Navy -- was the guest speaker at the affair, held at the city's venerable William Penn Hotel. Sutherland is seen at right, with hand on chin during a close football game at Forbes Field. Sutherland went on to coach the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Brooklyn Dodgers of the National Football League before being stricken with a fatal brain tumor in 1948.

Among other events, Dan is known to have driven with Herbert Keffer, Charles Oaks and S.M. Carroll to South Bend, IN in October 1931 to watch the Pitt-Notre Dame football game. In May 1935, he and Herbert Keffer Jr. drove to Louisville, KY, to attend the annual Kentucky Derby. In November 1936, he drove to Philadelphia with son Richard, daughter Sally and Herbert Keffer to take in the annual Army-Navy football game. 

Trying his hand at deer hunting in December 1937, he traveled with friends to Elk County, PA and bagged a 200 lb. deer.

Dan was re-elected Mayor of Connellsville in November 1941, less than a month before the United States was plunged into World War II with the attack on Pearl Harbor. During the war, Dan served on the county's Tire Rationing Board.

Tragically, during Dan's term as Fayette County Treasurer, his wife Charlotte became very ill. After a long bout with cancer, she died on Aug. 9, 1936, at the age of 47. She had been "confined to her bed since last October, prior to which time she had been ill for several months and had undergone treatment by specialists in a Baltimore hospital," said the Uniontown Morning Herald. "Throughout the months of her illness and the weary weeks when she was confined to her bed, Mrs. Minerd maintained her courage and cheerfulness against the handicaps of illness." She was laid to rest in the Minerd family plot at Hill Grove Cemetery in Connellsville.

The Connellsville Daily Courier gave Dan's 1941 election top billing

Uniontown Morning Herald

A born leader, Dan helped plan the Minerd Reunion of 1930 held on Aug. 9 at Uniontown's Shady Grove Park, where he chaired the transportation committee. Among the other cousins involved with that reunion were Arnold Overholt, president; Ernest E. Minerd, secretary; Mary Adaline (Luckey) Malone and Frank Zearfoss, general committee; Bess (Minerd) Lemon, speakers committee; Dr. Paul David Luckey, sports committee; Edith (Erwin) Minerd, invitation committee; Andrew Luckey, refreshment committee; and Frank Woodmancy, publicity committee. Dan also helped organize a Minerd Reunion in the mid-1940s, seen at right, with him standing at far right. 

Later, after several years as a widower, Dan married Ivenore "Ivy" Darr (1903-1992), daughter of James and Anna (Friend) Darr. Ivy was an office worker for the County of Fayette. She and Dan met when she worked in the County Treasurer's office circa 1942-1944. They eloped to Cumberland, MD.

Dan built a house for her on "Ivy" Drive in Connellsville. Later, she worked as a private duty nurse and as a registered nurse. Ivy was a member of the Connellsville Garden Club, American Legion Auxiliary, Pleasant Valley Country Club and Connellsville Presbyterian Church.

He often spoke with his wife Ivy about his interest in commissioning someone to undertake a family history study, to connect all the dots of the Minerd branches scattered throughout the area, but it was never done.

Political ads circa 1934 (left) and 1940

Minerd Reunion, 1940s, with Dan far right

Dan remained active in political and community-service circles for many years, as well as maintaining a busy dental practice.

On Sept. 15, 1973, Dan and Ivy traveled to Athens, GA, joining with his son Richard and wife Martha in attending a Pitt football game against the University of Georgia. The contest marked the first collegiate appearance of future Heisman Trophy winner Tony Dorsett. In that game, wearing uniform number 33, Dorsett gained 101 yards on 26 carries, with Pitt and Georgia tying 7-7. 

Connellsville Daily Courier

Sadly, Dan only lived another month and a half after that travel. When he died on Oct. 29, 1973, at age 78, the news made the front page of the Connellsville Daily Courier.  He is buried with Charlotte at Hill Grove Cemetery in Connellsville.

After 11 years as a widow, Ivy married Connellsville attorney Donald M. Higbee (1899-1992), the son of E.C. and Emma (Lint) Higbee. They were wed on July 14, 1984. Donald was a graduate of Amherst College (1921) and the University of Pittsburgh School of Law (1925) and had spent many years with his own law firm in Uniontown and Connellsville. Donald had been married once before, to Martha Elizabeth Port, and had two children to that marriage -- Martha "Jane" Munson and Edward "Carter" Higbee II.

Ivy lived to the age of 89. Ivy and Donald both passed away within a few weeks of each other in 1992 -- he on May 13, and she on May 27. She is buried at Sylvan Heights Cemetery in Uniontown.

Sylvan Heights Cemetery

A year before their deaths, the Higbees graciously entertained the founder of this website at an elegant dinner in their home in Connellsville. Not only Ivy, but also Donald, had been longtime friends of Dr. Dan Minerd, and it was clear that they both relished his memory. Their helpful input and advice has led to many wonderful discoveries about a true leader in our family. 

~ Son Richard David Minerd ~ 

Son Richard David Minerd (1920-1973) was born on Aug. 29, 1920, in Connellsville. 

Left to right: Richard, Sally and Jock

Seen here, fun loving Richard (left) with sister Sally and brother Jock with a string of fish they had just caught.

During World War II, Richard served as a private in the U.S. Army.

Richard was married twice -- first to Patricia Arison (Nov. 12, 1920-2017). She was a graduate of Bethany College, holding a bachelor's degree.

They had three sons -- Daniel Bain Minerd, Richard David Minerd and Robert Arison Minerd. 

After Richard and Patricia divorced, she remarried again, to Chester Hampton Bay (July 12, 1924-1995), in February 1958. They established a home in 1960 in Lakeland, Polk County, FL.

In September 1956, in Alachua County, FL, the 36-year-old Richard wed again, to 38-year-old Martha (Golden) Brown (1918-1982). She was a native of Jacksonville, FL, and the daughter of LaFayette "Pop" Golden, head of the Florida High School Activities Association. Her first husband, Robert Earl Brown, had been killed in action in World War II, and she brought a daughter to the second marriage, Barbara Jewel Thrower.

Martha "was a homemaker and retired secretary in the University of Florida student financial aid office," said the Gainesville Sun. She was a member of the Christian Science Church.

Circa 1973, the Minerds made their home in Gainesville, Alachua County, FL, where Richard was employed by Sears Roebuck Company. He and Martha incorporated Town & Country Garden Center Inc., also in Gainesville. 

Sadly, just three years after the untimely passing of his 36-year-old brother Jock, and just 35 days after the death of his father, Richard died in Gainesville at the age of 53, on Dec. 1, 1973. Burial was in Newnansville Cemetery in Alachua, Alachua County. 

Martha outlived her husband by nine years. She passed away at the Charleston (SC) Convalescent Center at the age of 63 on April 2, 1982. An obituary was published in the Sun. Burial was in Noonansville Cemetery.

Former wife Patricia lived in Lakeland for 57 years. She owned and operated Pat's Spray Service and was active with the Lakeland Choral Society and Little Lakeland Theater. She died there at the age of 97 on Dec. 8, 2017. Burial was in Glen Abbey Memorial Gardens in Auburndale, Polk County, FL.

Son Robert Arison "Bobby" Minerd (1944-1996) was born on July 19, 1944. He wed Sandra Melanie Bohannon ( ? - ? ) in October 1964 in Alachua County. On Oct. 25, 1975, he married again, to Jacque Lynn Geiger (a.k.a. Reynolds) ( ? - ? ). Robert's three children were Robert Minerd, Michael Minerd and Lisa Farmer. They resided in Gainesville, FL. He died in a tragic boating accident on March 27, 1996 in Jacksonville, Duvall County, FL, at the age of 52.

Son Richard David Minerd Jr. ( ? - ? ) was born in (?). He married Kathleen Currie (1941-2003) in about 1972. She was a native of North East, PA and later was employed as a special education teacher in Georgia. They had two children -- Ryan Minerd and Alyson Leady. After battling breast cancer, Kathleen died on June 30, 2003 in Naples, Collier County, FL. She was laid to rest in Eternal Hills Cemetery in Snellville, Gwinnett County, GA. Richard married again, to high school sweetheart Brenda Jones, in 2011, following eight years as a widower. In 2010, Richard and Brenda drove to Connellsville to see the old Ivy Drive homeplace of his grandparents.

Son Daniel Bain Minerd married Judith. They reside in Pittsburg, CA and have two children, Mark Minerd and Suzanne Minerd. In the early years of this website, Judith provided many vintage photographs and information for this biography.

Stepdaughter Barbara Jewel Brown ( ? - ? ) married (?) Thrower. In 1982, her home was in Hanahan, SC.

Sally Minerd

~ Daughter Sarah "Sally" Minerd ~ 

Daughter Sarah Catharine "Sally" Minerd (1923-1983) was born on April 12, 1923, in Connellsville. 

She never married. 

Connellsville Daily Courier

After attending the University of Pittsburgh and Temple University, she graduated from the West Penn Hospital School of Nursing. 

She later moved to Pittsburg, Contra Costa County, CA, where she was employed as a registered nurse. She also was active in the Business Professional Women and California Nursing Association organizations.

Sally died in Pittsburg at the age of 60 on Nov. 21, 1983. Her remains were returned to Connellsville for burial with her parents in the Minerd family plot at Hill Grove Cemetery.

~ Son John Bain "Jock" Minerd Sr. ~ 

Son John Bain "Jock" Minerd Sr. (1933-1970) was born on March 30, 1933, and was named for his father's dental school classmate and University of Pittsburgh championship coach Dr. John Bain "Jock" Sutherland.

Jock attended Kiski Preparatory School in Kiskiminetas, PA, graduating in 1951 at the age of 18. He then served in the U.S. Army during the Korean War. Jock later obtained a degree from the Pittsburgh School of Mortuary Science, presumably being groomed as a successor to his late uncle Edward at the Minerd Funeral Home in Uniontown. In the late 1950s, he worked for Mellon National Bank in Pittsburgh.

Connellsville Daily Courier

On July 19, 1958, at the age of 25, he married Betty Lou Lessman ( ? - ? ) of Mount Pleasant, Westmoreland County. Their wedding was held at the First Presbyterian Church in Connellsville, with Dr. Francis G. Stewart officiating.

Prior to marriage, Betty had been employed as a secretary with Robertshaw-Fulton Controls in Youngwood and was an active volunteer in civic and club committees in Mount Pleasant.

The Minerds produced two children -- John Bain Minerd Jr. and Harold Daniel Minerd II. 

Jock was a member of the Connellsville United Presbyterian Church and King Solomon's Lodge of the Masons.

The Minerds eventually moved to Indian Harbor Beach, FL, where Jock was employed as a computer operations supervisor for Boeing Aircraft Corporation. 

Tragically, Jock died at the age of 36, in a Florida hospital, on Feb. 6, 1970. His remains were returned to Connellsville for burial.

Betty's fate is unknown.

Son John Bain Minerd Jr. (1960- ? ) was born on Sept;. 28, 1960. He is believed to reside in Melbourne, FL.

Son Harold Daniel Minerd II ( ? - ? )

The Minerds' grave plot in Hill Grove Cemetery, Connellsville