- JOEL MINER, deceased, is numbered among the honored pioneers
of Rock County of 1845,
- and from that date until his death made his home within its
borders, a worthy and respected citizen. He was born in Huron
County, Ohio, Feb. 12, 1815, and in his native State was reared
to manhood, receiving such educational advantages as were afforded
by the common district schools, which he was only permitted to
attend during the winter months, as his summers were spent in
assisting in the labors of the farm. His father's death occurring
when he was a small lad, as soon as he had attained a sufficient
age he was forced to begin life's battle with the world and earn
his own living. His early years were those of toil. Without
a father's tender care and protection he labored on for the means
which was to furnish his daily bread, and with a cheerful spirit
overcame the difficulties and obstacles which lay in his path.
- On arriving at years of maturity Mr. MINER was united in
marriage with Miss Adeline TREAT,
- a sister of C. M. TREAT, of Clinton, their union being celebrated
in 1838. After residing for about seven years in the East they
resolved to cast their lot with the pioneers of this county,
and acting upon that determination settled in Turtle Township
in 1845. Purchasing a claim Mr. MINER at once began the development
of his land, and as a result of the care, cultivation and improvement
which he bestowed upon it, soon had a fine farm, whose broad,
fertile acres paid to him a golden tribute. His first home in
Wisconsin was a little log cabin, containing but one room, but
as his income increased it was replaced by a more comfortable
and commodious residence.
- The children born to Mr. and Mrs. MINER were seven in number,
four of whom are yet living:
- Jane, the eldest, is now the wife of Philip SALISBURY, a
resident of Hampton, Iowa; Wallace, who is now deceased, was
a soldier in the late war, enlisting in the 49th Wisconsin Infantry,
but after one year received his discharge; Sarah E. became the
wife of J. T. BUTLER, of Clinton, Wis.; Mary wedded E. F. VANDERLYN,
a prominent farmer of Clinton Township; Ida died at the age of
eighteen years; George died when eight years of age; and Ralph,
who is single, resides on the old homestead in Turtle Township.
- Mr. MINER died in Clinton in 1884, and was buried in the
cemetery at that place. His wife still survives her husband
and makes her home on the farm in Turtle Township. He was a
man of strict integrity, honorable and upright in every walk
of life, and his word was valued as high as his bond. He came
to the county in the days of its infancy, when the hardships
to be endured were many, but he cheerfully bore them all without
complaint. He was a liberal supporter of all public enterprises
which had for their object the good of the community, and as
a citizen was public-spirited and progressive. In his political
relations in early life he was a Whig, and cast his first presidential
vote for William Henry Harrison in 1840, but when the Republican
party sprang into existence he enlisted in its ranks and continued
to fight under its banner until his death. He was reared in
the faith of the Baptist Church, to which he always adhered,
and no citizen in the community was held in higher regard.
-
- Taken from "The Portrait and Biographical Album of
Rock County, Wis." (c)1889, pp. 416-417.
-
- Courtesy of Carol
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