SAMUEL
H. MINNIS, merchant, Sheakleyville, son of Asher and Elizabeth
(Newbold) Minnis, was born in Sandy Creek Township in 1840. Hugh
Minnis was the first of the family to come to this county. He was a
native of Ireland, a pioneer of Washington County, Penn., and settled
in Sandy Creek Township at an early period. He died before completing a
house in which to locate his family, his death being the first that
occurred in that township. His widow came to the county, bringing her
six sons and two daughters. Of these children, Samuel was the
ancestor of the Minnis family of Sandy Creek Township. He served
through the War of 1812, and died on the old homestead. Asher,
his only son, and the father of our subject, was born in the township,
and became one of the best educated and most efficient school teachers
of that period, he having received his educational training under Prof.
Gamble, who was the founder of Jamestown Academy. His children were
eleven, nine of whom grew to maturity: Caleb, who died from exposure in
the army; Squire, of Salem Township; Thornton A., of Sandy Creek
Township; Thomas B., Elmer E., Harry V., Nancy (since deceased),
married James Osborn; Sophia, married Oliver McCracken; Clare,
married Harvey Hazen, and our subject, who was reared and educated in
the township. His early life was spent on the farm, and afterward in
stock dealing. In 1864 he enlisted in the Second Pennsylvania Cavalry,
and served under Phil. Sheridan until the close of the war. On his
return from the war he resumed farming and stock dealing until 1884,
when he purchased his stock of goods and has conducted a prosperous
business since. He was married in 1867 to Miss Melinda, daughter of
James Keen, of Crawford County, Penn. She died in 1884, and he was
again married, in 1887, to Augusta, daughter of John Davison, of
Crawford County. He is a member of Elijah Thompson Post, G. A. R., of
Sheakleyville, and in politics he is a Republican.
History of Mercer County, 1888, page 1099
Samuel H. Minnis died in 1912 and is buried in Sheakleyville Cemetery in Sandy Creek Township
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