John Edward Minerd was born on July 7, 1899 or 1900 in Amesville, Athens County, OH, the son of Jacob and Martha "Bessie" (Buck) Minerd Jr. 

He was about eight years old when his father died suddenly and thus grew up without having a father figure in his life. 

John apparently never married. 

He had a short and slender build, standing 5 feet, 4 inches tall, and weighing 130 lbs. He had a dark complexion, brown eyes and black hair. He was "an oil field worker and farmer for the greater part of his life," said a newspaper.

Familiar landmark in Athens -- the old Herrold's mill and dam along the peaceful Hocking River

Obituary, 1974

When John registered for the military draft in 1918, at the age of 19, he marked himself as a farmer, but the draft board representative wrote, "In my opinion occupation is more of an excuse."

John spent many years in Nelsonville.

During World War II, in February 1942, he was required to register for the military draft. At that time, the 42-year-old disclosed that he was working for Raymond Book in Stewart, OH, that his brother Claude "Tod" Minerd would always know his address, and that he had no telephone number.

Later in life, he resided in the home of Mr. and Mrs. Herman Fickisen in Guysville. 

He passed away on Dec. 12, 1974, at the age of 75, and is buried in the Bean Cemetery in Guysville.

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