My Genealogy Hound

Rev. Alpheus Minear, farmer and stock raiser, was born in Randolph County, Va., April 1, 1822, and is a son of Mannassah and Lydia (Halbert) Minear, natives of Virginia. The mother died in Randolph County, Va., in 1830. Mr. Minear moved to Elkhart County, where he married and lived until his death. After the death of his mother our subject was sent to Dayton, Ohio, where he began to learn the tailor’s trade. Two years later he accompanied his teacher to Nashville, Tenn., and after learning the trade he worked at the business at different periods. For a few years he was employed as a pilot upon the river. He was subsequently licensed to preach in 1853; joined the annual conference at Newburn, Iowa, in 1858; was ordained in 1861, after which he traveled as presiding elder of the United Brethren Church for six years, meeting with strong opposition during the war. In 1867 he was engaged in circuit work, and then for two years engaged in district work in connection with his calling. He was married, April 6, 1842, in Sullivan County, Ind., to Miss Margaret Jane Brown, daughter of George and Catherine (Corn) Brown. Mrs. Minear was born in Kentucky and reared in Indiana, and is the mother of seven living children: David (married and living near Unionville), C. Perry (married and at home), Mary M. (wife of William McCollum), Eliza E. (wife of A. J. Williams), Amanda Jane, Alney Neal (deputy county clerk) and Laura F. She is also the mother of six children who died in infancy, and one daughter, Elizabeth Ann, who died at the age of eight. Mr. Minear moved to Missouri in September, 1856, and first bought land and located in Schuyler County, upon the Chariton River. Eight years later he came to Putnam County, and in 1864 located upon his present place. He has 160 acres of land-ninety acres well fenced and cultivated and has a good house and outbuildings. Mr. and Mrs. Minear and six children are members of the United Brethren Church. Mr. Minear is quite popular among the young people, being of a social and genial disposition, and has united in marriage a great many young couples.