From The Settlement of Prince Edward County by Nick and Helma Mika. Transcribed here by Linda Herman

Pioneers of Prince Edward County 
BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES

THE MINAKER FAMILY

Canadian founder of family line was from Madgeburgh, Prussia. 

One of Prince Edward County's pioneer families born the name Meinecke, which came to be spelled Minaker. John Henry William Minaker was born on April 24, 1755 in Magdeburgh, which was, at the time of his birth, part of Prussia but is now part of Germany.

John H.W. Minaker had three sons. The oldest son, John Frederick William Minaker, was born in Prussia, but the other two sons were born at Three Rivers, Quebec. The sons all shared the first name of John, so they became known by their middle names. John Frederick William was known as Fritz, from Frederick; John Christopher Lewis Minaker was called Ludovick or Lewis; and John Christian Andrew Minaker was known as Andrus or Andrew.

Fritz Minaker and his father were sent by the King of Prussia, as soldiers, to assist the British in their attempt to halt the American Revolution. The Minakers resided in Quebec until 1784 when they moved to North Marysburgh. With the two retired soldiers travelled Fritz's bride, Marguerite Lavelle, John Henry William's third wife, Anna Barbara Maria Orliffin, and the two younger sons.

The senior Mr. Minaker had sometimes worked in the Prussian army as a blacksmith, a skill which was useful in establishing his family in Prince Edward County. The pioneer died about 1808 and was buried in the Minaker Burying Ground, Marysburg.