| Is the
manager of an excellent farm of two hundred acres situated on section
21, Antioch Township. His life occupation has been general farming and
stock-raising and in that pursuit he has shown marked ability which
places him among the well-to-do citizens of the community. He was born
in Ontario, N. Y., October 22, 1841, and is a son of David and Jane
(Johnson) Minto, both of whom were natives of Annan, Dumfriesshire
Scotland, the former born in April, 1804, and the latter in 1813. They
were married in 1835, and began their domestic life in their native
land, but after five years they sailed to America in 1840, locating in
New York where for three years he followed farming and surveying, which
occupation he had learned in the old country. In 1843, accompanied by
his family, he came to Illinois by way of the Lakes and entered land on
section 21, Antioch Township, where his son, our subject, now resides.
He secured one hundred and twenty acres of land and engaged in farming
but was permitted to enjoy his new home only about five years, his death
occurring in 1848. Mrs. Minto is still living and resides with her son
on the old farm. She belongs to the Congregational Church of which her
husband was also a member.
In politics Mr. Minto was a stanch Whig
and was a valued citizen of the community, worthy of the esteem of all.
In the family were five children, four sons and one daughter-John who is
engaged in farming in California; William who has for thirty years
resided in San Francisco, Cal., where he follows farming and surveying;
Robert, an extensive cattle raiser, residing in Surprise Valley, Cal.;
David J. of this sketch, and Janet S. who became the wife of Chase Webb
and died in Waukegan.
Our subject was not yet two years old
when brought by his parents to Illinois, and upon the new farm he grew
to manhood remaining under the parental roof until he entered the army.
In August, 1862, a short time before he had attained his majority, he
responded to his country's call for troops and enlisted in the
Ninety-Sixth Illinois Infantry. He was assigned to Company C, of that
regiment and served with his command until April, 1863, when he was
discharged on account of physical disability, having lost his health
through the hardships and exposures of army life. In his return he again
resumed charge of the home farm which has been his property ever since
1877, and which gives evidence of the thrift and careful management of
the owner.
In Antioch Township, in May, 1869, Mr.
Minto was united in marriage with Miss Susie D. Smith, daughter of
George E. Smith one of the pioneer settlers of the county. The lady is a
native of Massachusetts, born in Salem, in 1839 and came to this county
the same year. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Minto have been born five children-
Robert E., Annie B., Ula J., George F. and David H., all of whom were
born on the home farm. The entire married life of the parents has been
spent on the old home place. They and three of their children are
members of the Congregational Church of Millburn. Since casting his
first Presidential vote for Lincoln at his second election, Mr. Minto
has been a Republican and keeps himself well informed of the issues of
the day but is no politician in the sense of office seeking. He is a
successful farmer and good citizen and has been identified with the
county during his entire life.
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