Charles Wesley Miner, a prosperous farmer of Macoupin county and one
who has through many years of usefulness and activity reflected credit
upon all with whom he has been associated, was born in Somerset county,
New Jersey, February 26, 1841. Since his boyhood he has made his home in
Illinois and now, having passed the seventieth milestone in life’s
journey, enjoys in peace and plenty the results of many years of
conscientious application. He belongs to an old and respected New Jersey
family and is a son of William V. and Deborah (Christopher) Miner, both
of whom were born in New Jersey, and a grandson of John Miner, of New
Jersey. The father came west with his family in 1856 and settled in
Fulton county, Illinois, where he was identified for many years with
agricultural interests. He died in 1877. Being an intelligent man of
good social qualities, he made many friends as was attested by the
general expression of regret at his departure.
At the age of
fifteen Charles W. Miner came to Illinois with his parents. He received
his early education in the public schools of New Jersey and Fulton
county, Illinois, and even as a boy showed an interest in farming which
gave bright promise as to his future. At the age of seventeen he began
assisting his father upon the home farm and so continued until 1865,
when he came to Macoupin county and took up farming on his own account
in Nilwood township. In 1874 he purchased one hundred acres of land in
Girard township of J. F. Roach, where he established his permanent home.
During the thirty-five years that have elapsed since he established
himself on his homestead he has made many improvements and the
attractive appearance of the place is an indication of the careful
thought given to his business. He has always been progressive in his
methods, making use of the best known means of keeping the land in good
condition and thus producing liberal annual returns.
On December
2, 1869, in Nilwood township, Mr. Miner was married to Miss Sarah F.
Christopher, a native of Macoupin county, Illinois, and a daughter of
Jacob and Sarah (Fisher) Christopher, the former of whom was born in
Ohio and the latter in New Jersey. She is a granddaughter of John
Christopher, and William Fisher, both of Illinois, the families having
been traced back to the time of the Revolutionary war when members took
an active part in freeing the colonies from the rule of Great Britain.
Four children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Miner: Walter P., a
resident of Kansas, who married Cora James and has six children, five
sons and one daughter; Charles, also of Kansas, who married Grace
England and has two 1 sons; William H., who is engaged in the study of
medicine; and Minnie D., the wife of William Earl, of Girard, and the
mother of two children, a son and daughter.
Religiously Mr.
Miner is an earnest adherent of the Methodist church and served as
steward in the local church for many years. Politically he is in
sympathy with the principles of the democratic party but does not
confine himself to partisan lines in casting his ballot, as he belongs
to the increasing number of voters who take into careful consideration
the character and ability of candidates upon the various tickets. He has
never sought public office but has served with ability as commissioner
of highways and for twenty years as a member of the school board. In all
business transactions he has been governed by principles of justice and
truth and the name of Charles W. Miner is, therefore, honored wherever
it is known in Macoupin county.
Extracted 18 Nov 2018 by Norma Hass from History of Macoupin County, Illinois: Biographical and Pictorial, by Charles A. Walker, published in 1911, Volume 2, pages 666-667.
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