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 S. MINTON, who is prominently identified with the business and trade interests of Charleston, is at present engaged as an active and enterprising lumber dealer, with transactions extending over the whole of Central Illinois and orders steadily increasing. His yards are located at the crossing of the I. & St. L. R. R., the T. & St. L., and K. C. Railroads, and for the six years in which it has been under the management of Mr. M., has been steadily growing in importance, until it is now one of the fixed and indispensable institutions of the thriving little city, within whose limits are many industries, which, like this, have been built up by its most enterprising men. The subject of this biography is a native of Washington County, Pa., born Jan. 10. 1830, and the son of Thaddeus D. and Permelia (Squire) Minton, natives of the same- county as their son. The elder Minton, a miller by trade, followed his calling the greater part of his life. His father, Philip Minton, a native of New Jersey, emigrated to Pennsylvania at an early day, and cleared a farm from the wilderness, opening up from the heavy timber a comfortable homestead, where he spent the remainder of his days. In this home the father of our subject was reared to manhood, and, marrying a lady of his own county, established himself near his father’s house, where he remained for many years, and reared a family of six children. These were Rachel; Warren S., of our sketch; Annie L., Ruth, Philip and Austin. The mother departed this life in Washington County in the summer of 1844, amid the mourning of her family and the regrets of a large circle of friends. Thaddeus Minton survived his wife until in May, 1885, when he too passed to his final rest, being well advanced in years. Both parents were members of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church, and reared their children to habits of industry and principles of honor. Our subject remained on the farm until fourteen years old, and even at that early age had gained a good insight into business matters. He was an ambitious and wide-awake youth, and at the time his father purchased a large mill property, he became one of the night workmen and overseers, and continued thus employed for eight years. He then invested his surplus capital in a stock of general merchandise, locating in Washington County, and carried on business prosperously for a period of four years. After disposing of his stock of merchandise, young Minton invested the proceeds in 1,000 Merino sheep, and hired them driven to Vermilion County, this State. Securing a large, rich tract of pasture, he kept his flock for two years following, which had increased in the meantime to the number of 1,700 head, and the wool from which he sold at forty cents per pound. The opportunity then presented itself for an advantageous trade, and parting with the sheep he became possessor of a tract of land in Bureau County, Iowa, which he lost, and then returning to Illinois secured possession of a valuable little farm, a part of which lay within the corporate limits of Charleston, and upon which he operated profitably for three years following. Thence he removed to Clark County, and for three more years followed agricultural pursuits near the town of Westfield. From there he removed to Kansas, in Edgar County, and resumed the business of a general merchant four years. Then selling out his stock, he came to Charleston, and, in company with his brother-in-law, W. G. Wright, purchased the first grocery store in town, which they conducted for twelve years following, with marked success. Mr. M. then disposed of his interest in the business to Mr. Wright, who has since continued it. While engaged with his partner in the grocery business, Mr. Minton and the other members of the firm purchased the Linkey Mill, a gristmill run by steam. They fitted it up with four run of stone, and operated it two years, Mr. M. being mainly in charge. At the expiration of this time, they sold out to H. M. Ashmore for the consideration of 220 acres of land lying two and one-half miles north of the city. Soon afterward they traded the land for a stock of queensware, furniture, stoves and tinware, and in connection with Mr. W. A. Bain, operated in the same for two years. Mr. Minton then sold his interest to his former partner, Mr. Wright, and engaged with his son, Clarence H., in the boot and shoe trade at Charleston. Two years later they traded the store for an eighty-acre farm in Humbolt Township, and then, in company with Messrs. Albey & Van Meter, put up the City Mills at a cost of about $17,000. After operating these successfully for two years, Mr. Minton sold out to his partner, and again engaged in the grocery business with his son for another two years. Then with his son, Clarence H., and a son-in-law, Samuel E. Grove, he purchased the lumber-yard of George N. Gage & Davis, which he has since conducted with such marked success. The residence of Mr. Minton is a handsome structure, finely located, and with its surroundings is an attractive spot, the resort of many friends, and the admiration of the passer-by. The lady who has presided over his household affairs, and been the careful and affectionate mother to his children, was formerly Miss Matilda R. Wright, of Indiana, who became his wife in the spring of 1855. Mrs. Minton was born in Indiana, and is the daughter of Samuel and Ruth (Gordon) Wright, also natives of that State. Of her union with our subject there were born a son and daughter only Evangeline and Clarence H. The former is now the wife of Samuel E. Groves, of Charleston, and has two children Gordon and John W. Clarence married Miss Lilia Persils, who was born in Charleston, and is the daughter of John S. and Charlotte (Norfolk) Persils, natives of the same place. They also have two children Robert P. and Ruth. Mr. Minton and his estimable wife are members in good standing of the Christian Church, and our subject is a stanch Republican, who adheres to his political faith with all the tenacity which characterizes him in his other relations in life. Socially, he belongs to the Knights of Honor, and as a business man and citizen, exerts no little influence in shaping the affairs of his community. |
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