In the books' own words, not ours, with obvious scanning errors fixed. The later printing (1914) is folded below the first. Families often supplied these stories to the publisher, so check key dates.
Born 1846, Jefferson county
From History of Butler and Bremer counties, Iowa, together with ... biographies of representative citizens. History of Iowa .. (1883), History of Butler County, Iowa: a record of settlement ..., Volume 2 (1914)
Richard Miner, furniture dealer, established business here, May, 1872. He is the only furniture dealer in (Greene. Mr. Miner was born in Jefferson county, Ohio, in 1846. His parents were John W. and Rebecca (Dudgson) Miner, and were natives of Ohio. The family came to Shell Rock, Butler county, in the spring of 1865. His father died April 29, 1882. The parents of Mr. Miner had thirteen children, eight sons and five daughters, all of whom are living, and all but two of whom are residents of this county. Richard went to
Clay county, in this state, from Shell Rock, where he learned the trade of cabinet making, and engaged there in the business for two years. His wife was Miss Maggie Nary. They have one daughter — Mary D.
Green was incorporated and attained the dignity of a municipal organization in 1879, the town records commencing with the first meeting of the board, on the 20th of September, 187-9, the following appearing as the first entry on the books:
[This passage is too damaged in the scanned book to reproduce. See the original book.]
The council then adopted twenty-eight rules of order to govern their body, which are yet in force. C. Crocker was elected marshal and street commissioner, and G. L. Mills acted as clerk of the first meeting.
The next session of the council was held on the 22d day of September, 1879, at which various committees were appointed, and William Soesbe was elected treasurer and G. W. Gilger solicitor. At a subsequent meeting it was resolved that both recorder and treasurer be required to give bonds, in the sum of $1,000, each. But at a still later meeting this was reduced to $500.
On the 6th of October, 1879, the proposition of the Butler County Press, offering to publish ordinances at fifty cents per square, and the proceedings of the board free, was accepted.
a - At a session on the 13th of October, 1879, the Mayor appointed a committee, consisting of Messrs. Mills, Rupert and Feyereisen, to see what would be the cost of erecting a “lock-up,” and this committee reported on the 20th of the same month, which report was accepted, and they were instructed to proceed to build as soon as possible, let ting the job to the lowest bidder. The contract was accordingly let to William Moss; and of furnishing lumber, to Bruce & Co. It consisted of two cells in the back, and the council room in front. ’Squire Foote was allowed the use of the latter for one dollar per month, he to furnish stove, fuel, desk and lights for the use of the council, free of charge.
On January 8th, 1880, a committee of three, Mayor Lamson and Messrs. Mills and Rupert, was appointed to build a ferry boat. This boat was for the use of the public crossing the Shell Rock, while the bridge was in process of erection.
On the 4th of March, 1880, it was resolved that the mayor, council members, recorder and marshal, receive the sum of fifty cents, for each meeting, as compense tion for their services.
The officers for the year 1880 were as follows: Mayor, C. T. Lamson; council, G. L. Mills, J. L. Cole, R. Miner, Henry Fey preisen, S. W. Soesbe and W. H. Rupert; assessor, William M. Foote; marshal and street commissioner, C. Crocker; recorder, O. D. Barnum; treasurer, William Soesbe; solicitor, J. W. Gilger. As Mr. Crocker did not qualify, Mr. Barnum was appointed street commissioner, and H. H. Barnett marshal. In May, W. LI. Rupert resigned, and F. D. Mabee was elected to fill his place in the council.
In 1881, Dr. C. C. Huckins was appointed health officer.
The officers in 1882 were as follows: Mayor, C. T. Lamson; trustees, G. L. Mills, J. L. Cole, R. Miner, Mr. Stober, A. J. Buflett, and S. W. Soesbe.
As printed in History of Butler and Bremer counties, Iowa, together with ... biographies of representative citizens. History of Iowa .. (1883). See the original pages. Wording is the original; obvious scanning errors have been corrected, and a few may remain.
RICHARD MINER.
Since 1877 Richard Miner has been a resident of Iowa and during the greater portion of that time has made his home in Greene, where he is prominently connected with business interests as secretary of the Electric Light & Power Company. He was born in Jefferson county, Ohio, April 30, 1845, and there remained until he was ten years of age. He is a son of John and Rebecca A. (Dudgeon) Miner, natives of Ohio. Both parents are now dead. Our subject afterward resided for a similar period of time in Greene county, Wisconsin, acquiring a common school education. As a young man he came to Iowa, locating in Butler county in 1877. He later removed to Clay county and there engaged in the undertaking and furniture business for four years. At the end of that time he moved to Greene and opened a furniture and undertaking business here, continuing active in its conduct for twenty-eight years thereafter. During the period of his residence here Ms interests have extended to many fields and have carried him forward into important relations with business life. He was one of the promoters of the Greene Electric Light & Power Company and has been its secretary since its organization. The company purchased the interests of the Greene Manufacturing & Milling Company and rebuilt the dam, thus obtaining water power sufficient to supply both the electric light plant and the flour mills. It controls large interests and has a representative patronage, its officers being ranked among the prominent and substantial men of the city. In addition to his connection with this company Mr. Miner is a stockholder in the First State Bank of Iowa and has valuable property interests, owning a fine brick business house which he erected on Main street, and an attractive residence on the west side of the river.
In Ackley, Iowa, March 20, 1872, Mr. Miner was limited in marriage to Miss Maggie Nary, a native of Ireland, and they have become the parents of a daughter, Mary, who lives at home. Mr. Miner is a blue lodge Mason and is connected also with the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, being past grand of his lodge.
Google which he represented in the Grand Lodge of Iowa, His daughter is well known in the affairs of the Eastern Star, having served as secretary of that organization for several years. Mr, Miner is a republican in his political beliefs and since he assisted in the incorporation of Greene has taken an active part in public affairs, serving on the town board for twelve years and as a member of the board of education. He is an able business man and a public-spirited and progressive citizen and he holds the esteem and confidence of all who are associated with him.
As printed in History of Butler County, Iowa: a record of settlement ..., Volume 2 (1914). See the original pages. Wording is the original; obvious scanning errors have been corrected, and a few may remain.
Named in this biography: Shell Rock William M. Foote (b. 1822)
The printed record stops around 1883. We trace your line from there down to you, with every source cited.