Charles MINISTER

                   Emigrated to U.S. about 1856/57 (see 1870 and 1880 U.S. Censuses which show daughter Margaret as being born in England  about 1855 and son George (who was born in March, 1858) as being born in Ohio). Obituary states that date of emigration was May 14, 1857.  Obituary, Charles Minister, "McArthur Democrat Enquirer," February 14, 1895, microfilm Herbert Westcoat Library, McArthur, OH

1860 Census lists age age as 30, occupation: "day laborer," personal estate valued at $50.00 and no real estate. U.S. Census 1860, Vinton County (Madison Township, Zaleski Post Office), OH. Microfilm roll no. 1046 (University of Kentucky Special Collections roll no. 291), p. 19. This census indicates a birth year of 1830.

1870 Census lists age as 40 (46)(?); occupation listed "common laborer;" value of real estate $350, with personal estate $100. U.S. Census 1870, Vinton County (Madison Township, McArthur Post Office), Ohio. Microfilm roll no. ____ (University of Kentucky Special Collections roll no. ___), p. ___.

1880 Census lists age as "59" and occupation as "farmer." U.S. Census 1880, Vinton County (Madison Township, Town of Zaleski), Ohio, Microfilm roll no. 1074 (University of Kentucky Special Collections roll no. 503) p. 114.

Obituary, McArthur Democrat-Enquirer, February 14, 1895:    "Charles Minister was born July 19, 1820 in London England and died February 7, 1895, at Zaleski, Ohio, aged 74 years, 6 months and 26 days.  He was taken ill on Saturday, February 2, with a severe cold, which rapidly developed into pneumonia and proved fatal on Thursday night at 10:45 o'clock.

"Mr. Minister ran away from home and went to sea at the early age of 9 years and followed the sea for 27 years, and had visited in his calling nearly all the principal commercial ports of the world up to 1857.

"In 1853 he was married to Jane Robson, at Hartlepool, England, and in March, 1857 started with his wife and one child, a daughter, now Mrs. W. C. Crook, of New Straitsville, Ohio, for the United States, landing at the then infant town of Zaleski on May 14, 1857.  Since that time he has been a citizen of Vinton County.

"Since coming to Ohio there has been born to him six sons and one daughter, the oldest, George Minister, now agent of the Zaleski Company of this place; the next C.F. Minister, of Soddy, Tennessee; Henry, now connected with the firm of E. Fisher & Son; Jennie, now Mrs. D. P. Reece, of Shawnee, Ohio; John, ex-postmaster, and now working for the Maderia Coal Company at Vinton Station; Alfred, working for the Lost Run Coal Company, New Straitsville, Ohio; and Edward, and now clerk for Robert Thompson of this place.  He leaves one brother, Mr. George Minister, of Sydney, Australia, and one sister, of London, England.  Of the three children, Charles was the oldest, and they were scattered in three quarters of the globe.

"Charles Minister was known to nearly every citizen of this vicinity.  As a man of integrity and honor none can question.   His word was his bond.  None can say aught against his character as a father, a brother or a citizen.  His wife died September 18, 1874, since which time he has lived with his daughter and sons, and at the time of his death was living with his son, Henry, in this place.  He was buried on Sunday, February 10, under the auspices of Zaleski Lodge No. 472 F. & A. M. of which he was a member.  Rev. Redman of the M. E. church preached a very appropriate sermon over the remains.  The community sympathize with the family and relatives of the deceased."

Death Certificate, Vinton County, Ohio: Charles F. Minister, date of death: 7 Feb 1895; age 74 y, 6 m, 29 d; place of death: Zaleski; place of birth: London, England, cause of death: pneumonia.

Names of parents and siblings are from information supplied by Scott Minister, Columbus, OH.