My Genealogy Hound

H. L. Miniken, a prosperous business man of Batesville, and one of its leading citizens, was born in that city on August 9, 1850, and is a son of John and Jane (Middleton) Miniken, of Washington County, Penn. The Miniken family were early settlers of Pennsylvania, whose ancestors originally came from England. The great-grandfather’s brother was a noted Tory, who, at the outbreak of the Revolution, returned to England, where all trace of him was lost. John Miniken emigrated to Zanesville, Ohio, and remained at that place for a few years, when he traveled further west, making the trip by water. The boat in which he took passage contained a great number of emigrants, and one day an explosion occurred, which completely wrecked the vessel and killed a number of people. Fortunately, however, the greater portion of them were picked up out of the water, and among the survivors was Mr. Miniken, who returned home, and again started west with his family, but traveling this time by wagon, and coming all the way overland. He arrived at Batesville, with his family all in good health, and immediately entered into the drug business at that place, afterwards carrying a large stock of general merchandise. Mr. Miniken rose rapidly in the estimation of the people in his new home, and after residing here some time, represented Independence County in the legislature for one term, and also served as county judge. He was a very prominent man and influential citizen up to the time of his death, in 1852. The mother is still living and enjoying fair health. They were the parents of fifteen children, of whom only four are living: Julia, wife of Charles Bagley, a resident of California; Jane A., wife of the Rev. P. Hickerson; Helen, and Harvey L., the latter being the youngest of the family. He was reared and educated in Batesville, where he was engaged for some years in the livery business. In 1879 he commenced dealing in general merchandise, a business he has continued ever since, meeting with great success, owing to his method of transacting business. Mr. Miniken has adopted certain rules for his establishment from which he never deviates. His practice is to sell the best goods at the lowest price, to be fair and square in all of his actions, and these methods have given him a reputation and enlarged his business to such an extent that he is now looked upon as an authority in commercial circles. He was married, in 1882, to Miss Sarah J. Lawton, of Washington County, Penn., by whom he has had one child — Donahue L. Mr. Miniken is a member of the Masonic fraternity, and a stockholder in the Building and Loan Association of Batesville and St. Louis. He also has an interest in the Batesville Canning and Evaporating Company.