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 IDEON MINOR, a successful farmer and
stock-grower of East Oakland Township,
owns and occupies a fine homestead on
section 8, which possesses all the requirements of a
first-class country estate. He has been a resident
of Illinois since 1832, when he was a boy fourteen
years of age, and since that time has been closely
identified with the agricultural and business
interests of Coles County. Our subject was born in Brown County, Ohio, Aug. 16, 1818, and is the son of Ephraim and Rachel (Lamb) Minor, natives respectively of Virginia and Maryland. Ephraim Minor was born in 1775, and died at his homestead in Douglas County, in 1835, when about sixty years of age. He removed from the Old Dominion to Kentucky in early manhood, and was variously employed until his marriage in 1797. He continued in Kentucky ten years afterward, and then migrated with his family to Brown County, Ohio, where he purchased 100 acres of heavily timbered land and proceeded to build up a homestead in the wilderness. In this he succeeded admirably, clearing a fine and fertile farm which, however, he sold, and then went to flat-boating on the river to New Orleans. He followed this occupation for two years, making considerable money and being quite prosperous until upon his last trip. While on the steamer between New Orleans and Natchez on his return home, his money, $1,800, was stolen from him, and this ended his river operations. In 1832 he came with his family down the Wabash to Darwin, thence to this county, where he purchased 100 acres of wild land and followed farming until unfitted for active labor. Both parents were members of the Christian Church. The mother was born in 1781, and died at the homestead in Coles (now Douglas) County in 1844. She was the daughter of William and Sarah (Wood) Lamb, her father being the first man elected to the Legislature from Mason County, Ky., and in which he served for many years. Our subject remained with his parents during his childhood and youth, in the meantime receiving a good common-school education, and after the death of his father assisting his mother in the management of the homestead. Upon setting out for himself he was married to Miss Nancy Powers, Nov. 25, 1847. Mrs. M. was born near Cincinnati, Ohio, Aug. 30, 1830, and was the daughter of Daniel D. and Maria (Runnels) Powers. She departed this life at the home of her husband in East Oakland Township, March 30, 1884. She was a lady of deep piety, greatly beloved by her family and friends. Her kindness of heart and amiable character endeared her to all with whom she associated, and she is greatly missed and mourned by those who knew her best. She left one child, a son, George A., who was born in April, 1849. He married Miss Malinda Willison, and is a resident of this county. The farm of Mr. Minor includes 200 acres of valuable land under a high state of cultivation. He has been prominent in local affairs and has held the various township offices, being elected Supervisor in 1869-70, and acting as Chairman of many important committees. Politically he is a stanch Democrat. |
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