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Jacob Alexander Minor
(1875-1964)

 

Jacob A. Minor

Jacob Alexander Minor was born on July 16 (or Aug. 16), 1875, in Columbiana County, OH, the son of John and Emma (Howell) Minor. He was of medium height and build, with brown hair and brown eyes.

Jacob married Nellie Morrison (1878-1915) on March 30, 1898, when he was age 23 and she 20. The nuptials were performed in Carroll County, OH by Rev. D. Kasht.

 

Jacob, date unknown

They were the parents of six known children -- George Minor, Clyde Minor, Frank Henry Minor Janet E. Arnold, Lucille Beatty and John A. Minor.

The Minors resided in a number of places over the years in Carroll, Tuscarawas and Belmont Counties, OH -- in the communities of Dover, Sherrodsville and New Philadelphia. In about 1910-1913, the family made its home in Sparta, Illinois, where their two daughters were born. Why they made this major relocation is unknown, but it may have been due to Nellie's failing health.

Sadly, in 1915, at the age of 37, Nellie passed away. The details and location are not known. 

Jacob was left to raise their six youngsters. About that time, his mother Emma came from her home in Sherrodsville to help take care of the motherless children.

Said the New Philadelphia Daily Times, Jacob was a "member of the Nazarene church of this city and attended the Pentecostal Church of Christ of Gnadenhutten." 

At age 43, in September 1918, Jacob was required to register for the military draft during World War I. He disclosed to a government registration agent that he lived at Roswell, Tuscarawas County. He was employed in the mining business by what appears to have been a family firm, "Minor Bros.," in partnership with his brothers Edward and Clifford. He also declared that his next of kin was his eldest son John.

In 1920, when the federal census was taken, Jacob and five of the children lived under one roof along Massillon-Belmont Mine Road in Flushing, Belmont County. Jacob's bachelor brother Edward resided in their home that year. Jacob, along with his son George and brother Edward, all worked in a local coal mine that year.

 

Old postcard of West High Street in New Philadelphia

 

Jacob married three other times after Nellie's death, one of whom was Bertha (Sultzer) Shannon (1878- ? ). Jacob and Bertha were married in Wheeling, Ohio County, WV on Nov. 26, 1924. She was divorced at the time, and resided in Flushing, Belmont County, OH. Rev. H.C. Satterfield performed the nuptials.

 

Jacob with his sister Sarah

The federal census of 1930 shows Jacob and Bertha living in her home area of Flushing, Belmont County. She was 11 years younger than he. Age 54 that year, he labored as a loader in a coal mine.

He is seen here with his sister Sarah Williams-Beardslee-Warstler, date and place unknown. The siblings were just two years apart in age.

 

In about 1940, Jacob relocated to New Philadelphia. He lived there for the remaining 24 years of his life.

When he was 78 years of age, in about January 1954, Jacob married again to 70-year-old housewife Luetta (Davis) Fox Herron ( ? - ? ). She was the daughter of Lewis and Margaret Crosley and a native of Guernsey County, OH. News of their marriage license application was printed in the Dover (OH) Daily Reporter. The couple made a home at 258 North Avenue Northeast in New Philadelphia

Luetta previously was married to William Fox ( ? - ? ) and (?) Herron ( ? - ? ). She brought a son to the marriage, Lonnie Fox, and had lost two other sons at young ages. She was a member of the Gospel Mission Church.

New Philadelphia
Daily Times

Jacob and Luetta enjoyed a decade of marriage. He celebrated his 80th birthday in July 1955 with a family dinner and reunion held at Schoenbrunn State Park. He received a radio as a gift from his six living children, and 50 family members attended. The youngest descendant present was his great-granddaughter, six-week-old Melanie Minor, daughter of George Minor of Massillon.

When he reached his 86th birthday, a five generation photograph of Jacob was published in the Dover Daily Times (July 18, 1961), posed with his son John, granddaughter Lillian Gibbs, great-granddaughter Janet Lee (Gibbs) Karchner and great-great granddaughter Paula Karchner.

But as her health failed, Luetta was admitted to the Maxwell Nursing Home. There, at the age of 80, she died on June 30, 1963. Funeral services were officiated by Rev. Albert Ott, with interment in East Avenue Cemetery. An obituary in the Daily Reporter noted that her survivors included 13 grandchildren and nine grandchildren.

Jacob suffered his final illness for about one year. He passed away on Oct. 27, 1964 at the home of his grandson Clarence Minor at 224 South Walnut Street in Gnadenhutten, Tuscarawas County. Burial was in East Avenue Cemetery, following a funeral led by Rev. Robert Gadfield. 

At Jacob's death, reported the Daily Times, he was survived by 22 grandchildren and 31 great-grandchildren. At that time, daughter Janet Arnold lived in Dover; son John resided in New Philadelphia; and sons George, Clyde and Frank were all in Canton, Stark County, OH.

 

~ Son John Alexander Minor ~

Son John Alexander Minor (1899-1976) was born on April 10, 1899 in Sherrodsville, Carroll County. He was short and of medium build, with brown eyes and sandy-colored hair.

At age 19, he worked as a coal miner in Roswell, Tuscarawas County, OH for Cleveland Canton Coal. And at age 21, he labored in the coal mines of Flushing, Belmont County, OH. 

When World War I was raging in Europe, John registered for the military draft, on Sept. 12, 1918.

On May 12, 1920, at age 21, he married 16-year-old Vada Bradley. She was the daughter of Mandeville and Sallie (Myers) Bradley of Putnam County, OH. Because she was legally underage, her mother had to appear in person in probate court in Belmont County and sign a consent to the marriage. Rev. W.G. Todd of the Christian Church of Flushing performed the nuptials.

Their eight children were Lillian Gibas, Irene Bishop, Maxine Moser, Jeanette King, George A. Minor, Clarence E. Minor, Leon B. Minor and Dennis A. Minor.

 

New Philadelphia Times Reporter

The Minors lived in Ninevah near New Philadelphia. 

Said the New Philadelphia Times Reporter, John "retired from the coal mines in 1965, was a member of the United Mine Workers Local 283 and also was affiliated with the Full Gospel Pentecostal Church of Gnadenhutten." 

John died at the age of 77 in Union Hospital on July 16, 1976. Burial was in East Avenue Cemetery. In an obituary, the Times-Reporter noted that John was survived by 21 grandchildren and 14 great-grandchildren. 

Daughter Lillian Minor married Paul Gibas. They resided in Flushing, Belmont County, OH in 1976.

Daughter Irene Minor wed Raymond Bishop. Their home in 1976 was in Sutter, Sutter County, CA.

Daughter Maxine Minor married Cletus Moser. They lived in Massillon, Stark County, OH in the mid-1970s.

Daughter Jeanette Minor wed Floyd King. Their residence in 1976 was in Mount Cory, Hancock County, OH.

Son George A. Minor was married and had a daughter Melanie Minor. They resided in Massillon, OH in 1955 and in Dover, Tuscarawas County, in 1976.

 

  • Granddaughter Melanie Minor (1955- ? ) was born in 1955.

Son Clarence E. Minor made his home at R.D. 4, New Philadelphia in the 1964-1976 era. In 1964, he lived at 224 South Walnut Street in Gnadenhutten, and maintained a home for his elderly grandfather, Jacob Minor.

Son Leon B. Minor lived in 1976 in Fort Myers, Lee County, FL.

Son Dennis A. Minor married Jan Stewart in Martins Ferry, Belmont County, OH on Aug. 9, 1964. They had at least one son, Richard A. Minor. In 1976, their home was in Sheffield Lake, Lorain County, OH. Their son Richard A. Minor was interested in the family's heritage circa 2001.

 

~ Son George Minor ~

Son George Minor (1902- ? ) was born in 1902 in New Philadelphia. As a young man, he lived and worked in Flushing, Belmont County, OH.

On Valentine's Day 1924, the 21-year-old George married 21-year-old Mildred Miles (1902- ? ), daughter of James Miles of Holloway, OH. While both were residents of Flushing at the time, the ceremony took place in Wellsburg, Brooke County, WV. The ceremony was led by Rev. E.E. Von Pachy of the Presbyterian Church in Wellsburg.

They produced these known children -- Jack Minor, Donald Minor, Robert Minor, James H. Minor and Delores Cochran.

The Minors' residence in 1947 was Plainfield, OH and in 1955-1976 was in Canton, Stark County, OH.

Son Jack Minor ( ? - ? ) was a member of the U.S. Army Air Corps in 1947.

Son James H. Minor (1926-2015) was born on April 16, 2015 in Flushing. During World War II, he served in the U.S. Army. James married Mary F. (?) and had a mixture of children and step-children. Among them were Dennis Minor, David Minor, Traci Bailey, Jennifer Sausman, Richard King, Laurie Vaudrin and Timothy King. They resided in Uniontown, Stark County, OH. James passed away at home at the age of 89 on Oct. 27, 2015. Funeral services were held at Faith Bible Church in Canton.

Son Robert Minor (1927-1947) was born in 1927. He served in the military during World War II. Tragically, he was badly injured in an automobile accident in December 1947 and died soonafter in a New London hospital at the age of 20. He and friend Clifford Hislope had been driving to Flint, MI to look for jobs. Reported the New Philadelphia Daily Times, "State highway patrolmen said Minor was blinded by the lights of an approaching car and his auto ran off the road and overturned several times. Hislope was not injured." Funeral serevices were held in the West Lafayette Nazarene Church.

Son Donald Minor ( ? - ? ) lived at home in 1947.

Daughter Delores Minor married (?) Cochran and resided in Arizona.

 

~ Son Clyde Minor ~

Son Clyde Minor (1906-1991?) was born on Nov. 17, 1906 (or Nov. 16, 1904) in Sherrodsville, Carroll County. 

As a young man, he was a coal miner working in Flushing, Belmont County.

On Dec. 28, 1928, at the age of 24, Clyde married 19-year-old Margaret Shannon (1909- ? ). She was the daughter of Fred and Lizzie (Woods) Shannon of Flushing. Because Margaret was underage, her widowed mother had to sign her legal consent to the union. The ceremony was officiated by Rev. W.G. Todd of the Christian Church of Flushing, who also had led the marriage nuptials for Clyde's brother John some eight years earlier.

The Minor and Shannon clans were close, and Clyde's brother Frank wedded Margaret's sister Ethel.

 

Canton at nighttime

The Minors had at least one daughter, Frances M. Minor.

When the federal census was taken in 1930, the Minors made their home in the Plum Borough section of Pittsburgh. Clyde's 45-year-old uncle Edward Minor lived under their roof. Both Clyde and his uncle were employed that year as pickmen in a coal mine, and both eventually returned to Eastern Ohio.

In 1955-1976, Clyde lived in Canton, Stark County, OH. They are known to have attended the 81st birthday party for his father in July 1956. Their address in 1970 was 1118 Third Street Southwest.

Heartache swept through the family on Jan. 21, 1970 when Margaret, while sweeping the front steps of their home, suffered a massive heart attack and died. Interment was in Rock Hill Cemetery.

He is believed to be the same "Clyde W. Minor" who died in Canton on June 19, 1991.

Daughter Frances M. Minor ( ? - ? ) was deceased by 1970.

 

~ Son Frank Henry Minor ~

Son Frank Henry Minor (1907-1998) was born on July 31, 1906 in New Philadelphia. 

At the age of 20 or 21, Frank married 18-year-old Ethel May Shannon (May 27, 1910-1997), daughter of Fred and Lizzie (Woods) Shannon of Flushing, Belmont County, OH. Because Ethel was not of legal age to marry, her mother had to sign her consent. The couple was wed on Sept. 27, 1927 in Wheeling, Ohio County, OH, by the hand of Rev. John H. Hess. (The Minor and Shannon families were close, and Frank's brother Clyde married Ethel's sister Margaret.)

The couple produced these offspring -- Frank R. Minor, Betty Hookway and Joyce Miller.

Frank and Ethel resided in Flushing, Belmont County, OH in 1930 and later in Canton, Stark County, OH, in 1955-1976. In early August 1951, he celebrated his birthday with a picnic at Canton Park for his wife, children and aged father. The event was covered in the New Philadelphia Daily Times.

He is known to have attended his father's 80th birthday party, reunion and dinner in July 1955 held at Schoenbrunn State Park. In succeeding years thereafter (1957, 1959, 1960), Frank and his family gathered to celebrate the father's birthdays at the park.

Ethel passed into eternity on Jan. 23, 1997.

Frank only outlived her by a little more than a year and joined her in death on March 4, 1998. They rest together in Rock Hill Baptist Church Cemetery in Flushing..

Son Frank R. Minor (1930-2017) was born on May 27, 1930 in Flushing. He was wedded to Betty M. DeVault ( ? - ? ), and the marriage lasted for an astonishing 67 years. Their three children were Deborah Morris, Daniel Minor and David Minor. Over the years, the Minors dwelled in Canton. Said the Canton (OH) Repository, "Frank was an active member of Mt. Zion Community Church where he formerly served as a Sunday school teacher and served on the cleaning committee. He retired from Canton Drop Forge in 1995 after more than 45 years of service." Frank passed away at the age of 87 in Canton on Oct. 8, 2017. His remains were placed into repose in Sunset Hills Burial Park following funeral services led by Rev. Bruce McLaughlin at the family's Church. An obituary was published in the Repository, which noted that he was survived by seven grandchildren and eight great-grandchildren.

  • Granddaughter Deborah Minor married James Morris
  • Grandson Daniel Minor wedded Robin.
  • Grandson David Minor was joined in matrimony with Kimberly.

Daughter Betty Minor married Norman Hookway.

Daughter Joyce Minor was united in wedlock with Kenneth Miller.

 

~ Daughter Janet E. (Minor) Arnold ~

Daughter Janet E. Minor (1910-1993) was born on Sept. 28, 1910 in Sparta, Randolph County, IL. She came to Ohio as a young girl with her parents, and completed 10 grades of primary school.

She married Raymond Arnold (1911- ? ) when both were age 21. The nuptials were performed in Wellsburg, Brooke County, WV on Sept. 27, 1930, by the hand of Rev. Edward T. Carter of the local Baptist church. At the time, Janet resided in Flushing, Belmont County, OH and he in New Philadelphia. 

They lived in Dover, Tuscarawas County in 1964-1993. 

Janet died at home in Dover on June 22, 1993, at the age of 82. 

Raymond's fate is not yet known.

 

~ Daughter Lucille (Minor) Beatty ~

Daughter Lucille Minor (1913-1955) was born in 1913 in Weaver, IL. She returned to Ohio as a young girl and attended Flushing School.

Shewas united in marriage with Robert E. Beatty ( ? - ? ). In about 1930, the Beattys moved to New Philadelphia where they made their home at 236 Second Street Southeast and were members of the Emmanuel Lutheran Church.

Their children were Robert L. Beatty, Jack L. Beatty and Darlene G. Beatty..

Lucille contracted cancer in May 1955 and suffered for about six months. She was treated at Union Hospital and died there at the age of 42 on Nov. 1, 1955. Burial was in East Avenue Cemetery, with Rev. James N. Fisher preaching the funeral sermon.

Son Robert L. Beatty served in the U.S. Marine Corps in 1955 and was stationed at Edenton.

Son Jack L. Beatty joined the U.S. Marine Corps. In 1955, he was stationed at Camp LeJeune, NC.

Daughter Darlene G. Beatty lived at home with her parents in 1955.

 

Copyright © 2004, 2012, 2017-2018 Mark A. Miner