~Carson City's "Other" Miner Family ~

At the time Weston and his family lived in Carson City, another family of Miner, not related to our group, also made its home there. Originating with Anderson and Delilah Miner, came from Geneva County, New York State, having been granted a U.S. government deed in 1851. This no doubt created much confusion over which family was which. While Weston's parents and brothers generally used the "Miner" spelling, Weston and his sons may have continued the old Pennsylvania German "Minerd" spelling as a point of differentiation.

Carson City's "other" Miners

Miner Road, a north-south road in Bloomer Township, is believed to be named for this "other" family of Miner. As well, "Miner's Addition" to the town is thought to be attributed to them.

Anderson and Delilah Miner had at least one son, Martin J. Miner (1837- ? ), who married Lucinda Hawley; and at least two grandchildren -- George H. Miner ( ? -1908), who in 1874 wed Martha Annette Yates; and Lucena Miner, who married T.C. Frushour. George and Martha's son, M. Jay Miner, is profiled in Dasef's history of Montcalm County. M. Jay Miner married Ola Thayer in 1906 and had five children -- Martha Louise Miner, Veneva Leone Miner, Velma Elizabeth Miner, George William Miner and Irma Lucille Miner (who died at age seven weeks). Dasef wrote that M. Jay was "one of the favorably known men of Bloomer township, ... being foremost in those things having for their object the advancement of the community's interest and being a citizen who lends freely of his time and effort for the promotion of various projects dealing with scientific agriculture and the betterment of general local conditions." 

~ A Marital Separation ~

Isadore's years in Battle Creek honed her for her future work. She increasingly was recognized for her emerging views on women's rights, and was named the first corresponding secretary of the Michigan Woman's Press Association. She was talented, ambitious and eager to continue building her professional career, and growing ever disenchanted with her marriage. 

During her years with Weston, she alleged, he refused to provide for her, and only purchased one dress for her over all of that time, valued at between $12 and $15. He also was envious of her friends, including other women whom he apparently believed exerted too much influence. She wrote that he "does fail and neglect to support and maintain her..."

In February 1891, ready to break her marital ties, Isadore accepted a post on the Toledo (OH) Commercial, which meant a move to a city some 120 to 130 miles away. Of this major transition, longtime friend Fannie Segur Foster later knowingly wrote: "Her talents were too brilliant to be hidden in a country village." While at the Commercial, over the span of two years, she wrote news stories. 

Weston and Isadore's  divorce papers

In 1893, still legally married, but living apart from her estranged husband, Isadore made a final and complete break when she accepted a more prominent reporting position in Texas. The offer came from the Dallas News and Galveston News, "two of the best known of metropolitan newspapers in the southwest" and operated by the same owner. Her specific responsibilities were as society and literary editor of the Dallas News, and woman's and children's editor of the News in Dallas and Galveston. Circa 1893, when the Literary Century profile was published, she was praised as having "placed herself in the front rank of women journalists in the south." 

Isadore's mother was living in Dallas at the time, and after her step-father was brutally injured during a robbery, Isadore likely was drawn there to help provide support.

To deflect uncomfortable questions about her marital status in her early years in Dallas, Isadore told friends and colleagues that she was a widow when in fact she was still married. She filed for divorce in Michigan in July 1894, with the case assigned the official number 6-495. The papers are still referenced today in the Calhoun County Circuit Court, with the originals on microfilm at the Archives and Regional History unit of Western Michigan University in Kalamazoo. 

Isadore filed her legal complaint on July 24, 1894, and a subpoena was served on Weston two days later. He failed to respond within the proscribed 20 days, and so seemed to be consent to allow the divorce to proceed. Among the witnesses testifying in court on Isadore's behalf were Anna Miller, wife of the minister who had performed the ceremony; Myrta Castle, who worked with Isadore a a proofreader and writer; and Emma L. Shaw, associate editor and proofreader of the Good Health publication.

~ Weston's Brief Dental Career ~

Now divorced, and pursuing his interest in a career in the medical field, Weston at the age of 41 graduated from the University of Michigan College of Dental Surgery in 1898. Following graduation, reported the university's Dental Journal, he "will devote his spare time during the summer vacation practicing in Battle Creek..." He was named in May 1897 to the board of editors of The Dental Journal of the Dental Society of the University of Michigan. 

He enjoyed bicyling but suffered a casualty in early April 1897 "while taking a spin," said the Dental Journal. "He was run into by another wheelman and suffered a compound fracture of the outer third of the right clavicle. The forward wheel of his bike was simply comminuted." While he complimented his physicians Dr. Nancrede and White, who treated the fracture, and a Mr. Tucker who fixed the wheel, he admitted that it "almost tempts him to a repetition of the acrobatic feat, but as he still carries his arm in a sling, perhaps he has changed his mind."

The federal census of 1900 shows Weston as single and marked "divorced." He made his home that year with his brother and sister in law, John "Perry" and Sarah E. (McAllister) Miner, on Kendall Street North in Battle Creek. Also in the residence that year was Perry's father in law, William McAllister, a native of Ireland. Weston's occupation was listed "dentist" and Perry's as "packer (food factory)." Remarkably, the census taker made a point of spelling Weston's name as "Minerd" and Perry's as "Miner" in their side by side entry on the very same record.

Weston apparently was hired by the university in about 1901 to teach as a "Demonstrator of Operative Dentistry." His salary, as published in the Regents' Proceedings, was $400. 

~ A Second Marriage, to Ola Hall ~

On July 25 or 31, 1901, in Battle Creek, Weston married his second wife, Ola J. Hall (1880- ? ). Rev. Erwin Evens, a minister of the Gospel, performed the ceremony. Elder Abbott also may have been involved in the wedding. Ola was a native of Iowa who was 24 years younger than Weston. She was the daughter of James M. and Flora (Murdock) Hall, who later lived on a farm near Chattanooga, Hamilton County, TN.

The Miners had no children of their own, but adopted twin sons of the family of Frank and Ada Dunn -- John Dunn and Robert Dunn -- born in either Georgia or Tennessee. (Robert later claimed it was "Tennessee.") Their father was dead, allegedly a victim of World War I, and the Minerds received $9 per month in pension payments for their support. John was re-named as "John Dunn Minerd" and then later as "Herbert Weston Minerd," while Robert was renamed as "Robert Dunn Minerd" and later as "Robert Milton Minerd."

Circa 1904, Weston maintained his "dental parlor" in his home at 229 Main Street in Battle Creek. He is listed in that year's edition of the Battle Creek Business Men's Commercial Reports. He was credit-rated by two fellow merchants as prompt in paying his bills in moderate amounts.

Unfortunately for Weston, his eyesight began to fail in 1904, just a few years into his dentistry career. Abandoning the practice which he had been building, he and Ola moved for a brief period to Chattanooga to be near Ola's parents. Said the History of Montcalm County:

He then went to Chicago, where for five years he was actively connected with the great publishing house of Rand McNally & Company. At the end of that time, in April, 1909, he returned to his old home in this county and, in order to relieve his father of the cares of the farm, advancing years by that time having begun to leave their trace upon the robust figure of his pioneer father, bought the old home place and has since that time been very successfully operating the same, making his home there... Doctor and Mrs. Miner take a proper part in the social activities of their home neighborhood and are held in high regard thereabout.

When the federal census was taken in 1910, Weston and Ola resided on the 80-acre farm of his parents along Rural Route 2, with Weston working as a farmer. A local rural directory of the era shows that they owned four horses and five head of cattle.

Typical Carson City farm scene, early 1900s

Seen here is a typical Carson City farm scene, with a cow grazing along a nearby creek. Circa 1910, a total of 4,678 farms were operating within the 724 square mile Montcalm County. The largest single local crop was potatoes -- in 1910 more than 2.2 million bushels were produced. Other vital crops produced in the region were corn, oats and wheat.

The living arrangement was disastrous as Ola often clashed with her husband and his sister and mother in law. She claimed that they refused to let neighbors into the home to visit with her, even when she was sick. Weston stopped taking her to worship services after two years, complained about her behavior in church and forbade her to go to town without stopping at his mother's home first.

Later, when suing for divorce, Ola claimed that Weston was violent and had an "ungovernable temper" but that her husband's mother: 

... told [Ola] she was too young for Weston ... that had she know of it the wedding would not have taken place, she accused [Ola] of having a baby before her marriage, accused her of lying, accused her of holding her head too high, circulated false statements about her among the neighbors, disliked to have her meet the neighbors, told [Ola] the neighbors did not want to see her, told her to keep her mouth shut, the sister [Sarah Caroline Ayars] openly boasted that the mother and she had got Weston ... to do as they wanted him to do, notwithstanding that [Ola] continued to work and slave for the family and help furnish the home and aid her to gain a competence she was treated as a menial and not accorded her proper place in the home by [Weston] or his family whom he failed to reproach for their inhuman conduct toward [her].

By 1920, the census shows the family in Bloomer Township near Carson City, Montcalm County, with Weston again engaged in farming. Their homeplace was along Red Bridge Road.

Faced with an unsafe home environment and crumbling marriage, Ola moved out of the Minerd home on June 26, 1924, and sued for divorce. Having heard arguments from both sides, the court ruled that Ola's allegations were materially true, and that Weston was unsuitable to raise their children. The marriage was dissolved by court order on Nov. 12, 1924. She was given possession of all rugs, dishes and carpets; dining room linoleum; rocking chair; bed with mattress and springs; all cans and fruit jars; one washing machine; one wash tub; and one-half of the bed quilts. Weston also agreed to provide Ola with an IOU for $1,000, payable within four months, that would release him from all future legal claims she might file.

Ola is known to have married a second time, on Jan. 12, 1925, to W.F. Keith (1860- ? ) of Carson City. They moved to Flint, Genesee County, MI. By 1938, Ola is known to have been admitted to the psychopathic ward of Hurley Hospital in Flint. Her final fate is unknown.

Carson City landmark today

~ Weston's Final Years ~

When the federal census was taken in 1930, the twice-divorced, 73-year-old Weston made his home with his 94-year-old mother and 75-year-old widowed sister, Sarah Caroline "Carrie" Ayars, on Maple Street in Carson City, Montcalm County. The lot measured 154 ft. by 110 ft. in block 6 of Miners' Addition to the village. 

In his final years, Weston suffered from senility and from chronic cardio-vascular disease and kidney failure.

Weston passed away in the village of Carson City at the age of 89 on or about Dec. 14, 1945. If he had lived another 15 days, he would have celebrated his 90th birthday. He was laid to rest in the Carson City Cemetery. 

An inventory of his possessions shows that he owned small carpentry tools and a vise, bed spring and mattress, dresser, book case, round table, rocking chair, books and one bed blanket. Financially, he held a note receivable from the Michigan Produce Company in Carson City valued at $1,890, and his town lot was worth $1,000. 

Oddly, Weston's death certificate and probate papers, on file today in Montcalm County, state that he was the widower of "Isadore Minerd" and not of "Ola Minerd" or anyone else. As Ola's son Robert would have been the informant, this seems particularly unusual.

Her biography

~ Isadore's Transformation into Pioneering 
Dallas Journalist "Pauline Periwinkle" ~

After arriving in Dallas in about 1893, Isadore began to reinvent her life completely as a "writer, social welfare worker and club woman," said the Dallas Morning News. Before she appeared on the scene, "Texas newspapers offered only fashion and social news to their women readers," said a review by Texas A&M University Press. Writing under the pen name "Pauline Periwinkle," she penned a regular column that "changed all that, encouraging women to take part in the reform efforts of the Progressive Era." 

Her accomplishments were so influential that more than a century later, her life was featured in a full-length biography, Pauline Periwinkle and Progressive Reform in Dallas, authored by Jacquelyn Masur McElhaney and published by Texas A&M University Press. 

During her 23 years in Dallas, until her death in 1916, Isadore was sought for membership and leadership in myriad community, charitable and humanitarian causes. While she declined some -- citing potential conflict of interest with the objectivity of her role with the newspaper, she accepted many others. Among them were the Texas Woman's Press Association, Texas Equal Rights Association and Woman's Congress. 

Elizabeth Brooks, writing in her book Prominent Women of Texas, said Isadore was the "only woman in Texas who has ever been honored by a temporary seat in the presidential chair of an assembly composed exclusively of men... The Texas Press Association was the source of this compliment, and her reading of an appreciated paper before that body was the occasion."

At the invitation of the president of the Texas Federation of Women's Clubs, Isadore attended a meeting in April 1898 and provided advice on how to expand the organization's publicity, which "was to have an important bearing upon the progress of the federation, and opened up one of its greatest factors for success... [She] addressed the body regarding the publication of its official organ, and suggested that a club editor be appointed to collect and compile official club news, to be published through the great dailies of the state," said the 1919 book, History of the Texas Federation of Women's Clubs, authored by Stella L. Christian. "'A motion to reconsider the publication of the club monthly and adopt Mrs. Minor's [sic] suggestion was adopted.' Mrs. Kate Scurry Terrell, Dallas, was elected the first editor, and all power to act in regard to this matter, placed in the hands of the Executive Board."

Dallas Public Library, opened in 1901

Said McElhaney in Pauline Periwinkle, Isadore reported on and actively supported Dallas efforts to: 

... secure a Carnegie Library, kindergartens for public schools, a juvenile court system for the city, parks for children, a local pure food law, police matrons, a garbage tax, and a pure water supply. Statewide efforts for such measures as a pure food and drug law, a women's college, and woman suffrage received her incisive coverage. Other columns would describe efforts by women's clubs in cities across the country, the difficulties endured by working women and children, the desirability of electing women to school boards, and the need for higher education for women.

Among her most lasting achievements was a collaboration with other civic leaders to attract Pittsburgh industrialist and philanthropist Andrew Carnegie to donate funds for a Carnegie Public Library in Dallas. On March 30, 1899, two years before the library was built, she served as secretary of the inaugural public meeting of the Dallas Public Library Association. She is pictured in the library's official history, The Dallas Public Library, authored by Michael V. Hazel, and mentioned on several pages for the newspaper columns she wrote promoting the need for such a cultural resource. The impressive library building, as opened in 1901, is seen here.

In July 1900, after seven years in Dallas, Isadore married William Allen Callaway, a onetime journalist who had become successful in the insurance field. The ceremony took place in Washington, DC. From thence forward her professional name was "Isadore Miner Callaway." They spent their honeymoon in Europe, where Isadore visited her Sutherland ancestral home, and wrote dispatches back to her newspaper. Later they "established a beautiful home, where simple and cordial hospitality was the rule," said the Morning News.

Books mentioning Isadore's groundbreaking contributions to important public affairs -- 35,000 Days In Texas, by Sam Acheson; The Dallas Public Library, by Michael V. Hazel; and Women and the Creation of Urban Life, by Elizabeth York Enstam

 

 

Isadore's photo, Who's Who  of the Womanhood of Texas

Isadore is seen here during her Dallas years, as published in the 1924 book, Who's Who of the Womanhood of Texas by the Texas Federation of Women's Clubs. She covered routine news for three years until offered her own weekly column, "The Woman's Century," the first of which appeared in print on April 15, 1896. The early days of Dallas life were challenging, as Isadore often had to travel to outlying towns and communities to gather her news. Wrote friend Foster: "Her sense of humor and her cheerful attitude toward life made even this work a pleasant game." She and colleagues were known for "wading through the mud of unpaved streets and frequently standing, soaked with rain, on a corner, waiting for the bell of the infrequent street car, then drawn by two sleek mules and stopping anywhere signaled, and for any length of time the patron needed or wished, for adieus of visits with the departing friend." 

 

Book naming Isadore

For scholars interested in reading her newspaper columns, a list of key dates in which she published columns dealing with women's rights and suffrage is listed in the book, Citizens At Last: The Woman Suffrage Movement in Texas, an essay by A. Elizabeth Taylor (1987: Ellen C. Temple, publisher).

Her articles often were reprinted in other, important journals. She also wrote on a freelance basis for such publications as Little Ones and the Nursery, as well as influential newspapers. "Some of her work has been copied abroad," said the Literary Century, "and one article in particular appeared in a leading German magazine, contributed by a well-known literateur of that country, and translated as 'the best specimen of pathos by recent American writers'." 

Isadore died at the age of 53 on Aug. 10, 1916, triggering an outpouring of public affection and praise in local newspapers and the community at large. She was laid to rest in Oakland Cemetery. 

The fate of her second husband W.A. Callaway is not yet known.

 

Isadore Miner Callaway's Known Writings In Other Journals

"Women's Work in Education," The School Journal, Aug. 18, 1906	Texas Medical Journal, 1913, quoted
Kindergarten Magazine, Feb. 1897, quoted	"The Mental Divertisments of the Farmer's Wife, Farmer's National Congress, Nov. 10-13, 1896
"Dodo's Recognition," Wide Awake Magazine, February 1891 (poem)

 

~ Son Herbert Weston Minerd ~

Son Herbert Weston Minerd (1910-1982? ) was born on March 6, 1910 in Chattanooga, TN.

He stood 5 feet, 7 inches tall in adulthood and weighed 180 lbs. His eyes were blue, his hair brown and his complexion light, with a mole under his right eye. He wore false teeth.

At the age of 31, he was required to register for the military draft during World War II. At the time, he was married, unemployed, and their address was 801½ Newall Street in Flint, Genesee County, MI. He disclosed that his mother in law Grace Luxton would always know his location.

He resided at 725 Broadway in Flint in 1945.

Herbert is believed to have died on Christmas Eve 1982 in Flint, at the age of 72. His remains are at rest in Flint Memorial Park.

 

~ Son Robert Milton Minerd ~

Son Robert Milton Minerd (1912-1969) was born on March 6, 1910 or 1912 in Georgia or Tennessee. He grew up in Carson City, MI.

He lived circa 1930 in Washington Township, Gratiot County, MI, boarding as a farm laborer with the family of James and Mary Van Alstine. 

He stood 5 feet, 9½ inches tall and weighed 210 lbs. His eyes were blue, his hair brown and his complexino ruddy. He spelled his name "Minerd" in adulthood. 

Robert was joined in the bonds of wedlock with Donna C. Simons (1916-1985).

The couple produced three sons -- Ralph Lavern Minerd, James Weston Minerd and Robert "Gene" Minerd. 

Circa 1940, when the federal census was taken, Robert and Donna made their home in Flint, Genesee County, with Robert employed as a laborer in a warehouse. When registering for the military draft during World War II, he disclosed that their address in Flint was 1003 Cedar Street and that their telephone number was 2-1754. At the time, he was employed by General Foundry on Hempfield Road in Genesee. He also stated that his brother-in-law Evan Simons would always know his whereabout.

 

Robert (2nd from right) with sons, L-R: Gene, Jim and Ralph

 

Circa 1945, when his father died, Robert made his home in Carson City, and signed official papers related to the estate.

He died at age 57, on Nov. 26, 1969, with burial in Carson City Cemetery. He is believed to rest in the same lot as his father, but the grave is not marked. 

Donna survived him by 16 years. She passed away in September 1985, in Davidson, Genesee County. She was buried beside her son Ralph at Eastwood Colonial Memorial Gardens in Davidson, Genesee County.

Son James Weston Minerd (1935-2003) was born on Jan. 16, 1935 in or around Flint. He was a Navy retiree and Vietnam War veteran. He married Laura Jean Hutchinson ( ? - ? ) and resided in Santee, CA. At the age of 68, he died on July 14, 2003 in San Diego, CA. The obituary in the San Diego Union-Tribune named his children as Kim Floyd of Pendleton, KY; Ramona Shaw of Salt Lake City; Anthony Minerd of Rochester, WA; and James Minerd of Albuquerque.

• Granddaughter Kim Floyd of Pendleton, KY

• Granddaughter Ramona Shaw of Salt Lake City

• Grandson Anthony Minerd of Rochester, WA

• Grandson James Minerd of Albuquerque, NM

Son Robert Eugene "Gene" Minerd (1937-1990) was born on Oct. 30, 1937 in Flint, Genesee County. He was joined in the bonds of wedlock with Janetha Gayann "Gay" Wheatley (June 27, 1939-2020), daughter of Curtis and Genevieve (Miller) Wheatley of Flint. The couple lived in Mayville, MI and produced these offspring -- Dawn Valentina Minerd, Michell Minerd, Michael Minerd, John Minerd, Jeff Minerd and Coreena Minerd. Robert was in Arizona at the start of the year 1990. He suffered a massive heart attack and died on Jan. 13, 1990. Gay married again in October 1996 to Leo Graves ( ? -2004). He had been married previously and brought a number of children to the second union. Sadly, after eight years of marriage, Leo succumbed to death in August 2004. Gay spent her final years in Montrose, MI. She died at home at the age of 81 on July 18, 2020. Her remains were cremated.

• Granddaughter Dawn Valentina Minerd

• Granddaughter Michell Minerd was married to or a companion of Russ.

• Grandson Michael Minerd married Denise.

• Grandson John Minerd wedded Mattie

• Grandson Jeff Minerd

• Granddaughter Coreena Minerd

 

Ralph L. Minerd

Son Ralph Lavern Minerd Sr. (1939-1980) was born on Oct. 19, 1939 near Flint, Genesee County. He married Phyllis Ann Filkins (1940-2013), daughter of Joseph and Hattie (Burks) Filkins, on May 19, 1962. They resided in Columbiaville, Richfield Township, Genesee County, and had a family of children -- among them Joseph "Joe" Minerd, Ralph Lavern Minerd Jr., Donna Minerd, Pam Minerd-Osgood and Debra Martinez. Circa 1980, Ralph was employed by Richfield Disposable as a dump truck driver. Tragedy struck three days into the new year at 2 a.m. on Jan. 3, 1980, when 40-year-old Ralph was driving his truck in the Saginaw area. He was one of two men killed in cold blood by a gang of three who were shooting out windows of vehicles, intent on harassing blacks. The blast from the shotgun fired by a 15-year-old assailant struck Ralph in the eye, killing him instantly, with the truck careening off the road. His remains were laid to rest at Eastwood Colonial Memorial Gardens. Numerous news reports about the shootings characterized the killings as "wanton," "homicidal craziness" and a "drunken 'spur-of-the-moment whim'."

 

Ralph and Phyllis, wedding day

The underage shooter was apprehended and convicted. On Aug. 26, 1980, he was sentenced to life imprisonment without parole by the Saginaw County Circuit Court in the case Michigan vs. Richard Musselman. In a twist of the story today, Michigan legislators are attempting to change criminal law involving youths under age 17 who no longer would have to serve life in prison if convicted. With the possibility growing that Ralph's killer could be set free, one of Ralph's daughters has testified about her views before the Michigan Attorney General. The case may be heard by the Michigan Supreme Court. Phyllis later wed Clyde Coon. She made her home in Columbiaville. After suffering from diabetes, she passed away at the age of 72 on Feb. 13, 2013. Her obituary was published in the Flint Journal, which said she was survived by a dozen grandchildren.

• Grandson Joseph "Joe" Minerd was joined in wedlock with Trenda.

• Grandson Ralph Lavern Minerd Jr. was united in matrimony with Jeanette.

• Granddaughter Donna Minerd is the mother of McKenzie Minerd and Andrew Minerd.

• Granddaughter Pam Minerd married Denis Osgood

• Granddaughter Debra Minerd wedded Nadav Martinez.

 

Copyright © 2008-2014, 2018 Mark A. Miner

Sketches of John Harvey Kellogg and the Battle Creek Sanitarium originally published in Kellogg's book Plain Facts (I.F. Segner, Burlington, Iowa, 1884). Road to Wellville image courtesy of Columbia Pictures Industries, Inc. (photo by Merrick Morton). Image of S. Isadore Miner Callaway in Dallas courtesy of Don Brownlee. Robert Milton Minerd family images from Donna Minerd.