My Genealogy Hound

Samuel J. Minnice, groceryman, and glass and queensware merchant at Lamar, Mo., was born in Benton County, Mo., December 20, 1845, being a son of David and Caroline (Bunch) Minnice, who were born, respectively, in Maine and Virginia, and were of Scotch and English descent. Both came to Missouri in their youth, and were married in Benton County, where they spent the remainder of their lives. The father opened a large farm, and became one of the wealthy residents of the county. He was a Democrat, and he and wife were members of the Baptist Church. Samuel J. Minnice is the second of their five children, and in boyhood received a limited education in the district schools, but by personal effort secured sufficient education to enable him to teach school, and this occupation he followed for nine years with good success. He then began merchandising at Mount View, and in 1882 came to Lamar, and opened a grocery store, which he managed alone for one year, then was in partnership for five years with J. E. Cleveland. He then purchased Mr. Cleveland’s interest, and has managed his store alone ever since. His own industry and perseverance have accumulated his present property, and he gives every promise of becoming in time one of the wealthy men of the county. In April, 1862, he enlisted in Company C, Seventh Missouri Volunteer Cavalry, U. S. A., and served until April, 1865, participating in the battles of Prairie Grove, Cass Hollow, Springfield, Jefferson City, Marshfield, Independence and Mound City, and during his entire service was neither wounded nor taken prisoner. In 1871 he was married to Mollie Jones, a native of Missouri, and by her has five children. He and wife belong to the Baptist Church, and he is a member of the G. A. R. and the Masonic fraternity.