Charles Mortimer Minkler (1847-1935)

MINKLER, REED, WHITE, MONTGOMERY, BURBANK, MCLAIN

Posted By: Dorian Myhre (email)
Date: 4/20/2021 at 14:10:52

From Nevada Evening Journal April 29, 1935 (page 1)

C. M. MINKLER, PIONEER, IS DEAD

HAD LIVED IN COUNTY OVER THREE SCORE OF YEARS

Chas. M. Minkler, 87, for 63 years a resident of Story county, died at his home 621 Main street, Nevada, Saturday evening about 5:30, death being due to a heart attack.

Mr. Minkler, who had recently returned to his home here after the winter spent with his sons at Chicago and Harlan, Iowa, had started to attend the funeral of his old friend John Hopkins, on Monday, when he suffered an attack and was forced to return to his home.

There he was cared for by his only daughter Mrs. Genevieve Montgomery who had been presiding over the home since its reopening; the sons were summoned and under the care of a nurse, he seemed to make some improvement. Late Saturday afternoon he asked to be shaved and within a few moments after this had been accomplished he quietly passed away.

Funeral services will be held at the home Tuesday afternoon at 2:00, with his pastor Rev. C. D. Loose in charge. Interment will be in the Nevada cemetery by the side of the wife who passed away November 20, 1925.

Charles Mortimer Minkler was born at Oswego, Illinois, July 11, 1847, one of the six sons and five daughters of Mortimer M. Minkler and Marietta Reed-Minkler.

When Charles was a lad of about six years the parents moved out to near Rochelle, where the father took government land and established a home. There the family grew to manhood and womanhood. The subject of this sketch attended the rural schools and later the city schools at Rochelle.

It was there that he met Miss Ellen White, of Stanwood, Iowa, who had been teaching in the schools near Rochelle.

With a view of claiming his bride and acquiring a home the young man with his worldly effects in a covered wagon, journeyed to Iowa and at Stanwood, on September 25, 1872 was united in marriage to Miss White.

They continued their journey westward and came to Story county, where he purchased a quarter section of land from the government. This was located in Milford township, northwest of Nevada, and there the home was established.

During their first years there Mr. Minkler taught the neighboring school during the winter months and Mrs. Minkler taught during the summer.

Among the pupils of Mr. Minkler was Charles F. Curtiss, now a dean at Iowa State college, who attended his initial term of school under Mr. Minkler.

Incidentally it might be stated that Frederick C. Minkler, eldest son of the pioneer teacher, had his first schooling under Mr. Curtis.

The Minkler home continued in Milford township and through industry and thrift experienced prosperity. There their six children were born.

They were Genevieve Montgomery; Frederick C. and Frank (twins), Howard and Jennie (twins) and Lawrence Frank.

Mrs. Montgomery was in the home with the father when he died, Fredrick C. has his home in Evanston, Illinois, and Howard lives at Harlan, Iowa. Frank and Jennie each died when about a year of age and the youngest Lawrence Frank died when about three years of age.

Of the five sisters and six brothers the sole survivor is Mrs. Libbie Burbank of Rochelle. One brother H. R. Minkler was a resident of Milford township for a number of years and died at the family home in Ames. Another sister was the first wife of Turner McLain, a Milford township pioneer; and L. E. White pioneer Nevada merchant was a brother of Mrs. Minkler.

Mr. Minkler had been a member of the Methodist Episcopal church since boyhood and was one of the founders of the Pleasant Grove Methodist church in Milford township. After moving to Nevada in 1908 he became an active worker and supporter of the Nevada Methodist church.

Mr. Minkler was a man of many fine characteristics. Honest, industrious and of strong integrity, he was a leader in affairs in which he took an interest. Devoted to his home, his family and his church, it was there that he centered his interest.

While he was man well read and informed on public affairs, he never held a public office nor did he ask personal preferment of any kind. He had lived a long and honorable life and one that members of his family and friends will have reason to remember with much satisfaction.