Gideon Minor

  General Notes:

After the close of the Revolutionary War, Gideon worked on the farm and went to school until he was sixteen years old. Then he learned the blacksmith trade, served two years in the Black Hawk War, then concluded he would go to Kentucky. He, in company with Ephriam Minor and Edward Robinson traveled from Virginia on foot to Kentucky, camping along the road with movers. Having an uncle by the name of Wim, living in Flemming, County Kentucky, worked for him on the farm for two or three years. Wim sold his farm in Flemming County, and moved to Pickaway County, Ohio, having bought land in that County. Gideon remained in Kentucky, but went to Washington County. He rented a farm from a Mr. Downing and farmed two years. Then having received some money from his father's (Oliver) estate, he moved to Flemming County, Kentucky, having bought land in that County. Being afraid of his title, he sold his land and moved back to Mason County, Kentucky, and bought land near Washington. Becoming fearful of his title again he sold his farm and in 1806 moved to Ohio, (Clermont County, near Pickaway.) crossed the Ohio River on the ice, two days after "Cold Friday." He moved to land he purchased from Buck and Brander 'of Virginia. After living there from 1806 to 1812 in comparative peace and friendship with the Indian's, the war of 1812 broke out. Gideon Minor with others, were called to the front to protect the frontier settlements, with all the able-bodied men. They gathered up their knapsacks and rifles and marched to Fort Washington, now Cincinnati, it being the place of rendezvous. After being drilled and mustered into service, Gideon Minor was elected Colonel of one of the Regiments and commissioned by Governor Meigs of Ohio. They left Fort Washington for the Northern Frontier to join the main army under General William Henry Harrison. He being the Commander in Chief. Gideon Minor was at the Battle of the River Raison, and the Thames in Canada. After the Battle of the Thames had gained a victory over the British and Indians, General Harrison recrossed the lake and as the volunteers had served out their time of service, they with the volunteers, from Kentucky were sent home, not by steamboats nor railroad cars, but. they came on foot through the wilderness of Ohio. Those were times that tried men's souls and patriotism. Gideon Minor was well acquainted with General Harrison and always voted for him to go to Congress; voted for him twice for President of the United States, and always said, "Harrison was a brave man. Colonel Minor was well aquainted with Colonel Richard Johnson of Kentucky and many other officers of that period.

Gideon after returning from the British and Indian war of the north and northeast, served four or five years as Colonel of the Fourth Regiment of Clermont County, Ohio, then resigned. He was elected to the Legislature several times. He was a practical suveyor, and surveyed lands for old General Taylor of Newport, Kentucky; in Clermont and Brown County, Ohio; likewise the Madison heirs of Virginia, and many others.
In 1830 he sold his farm in Ohio and moved to Illinois. The Minor family that first settled in Virginia were French, having left France on account of oppression in that country.
The Minor family has been traced back to one Henry Minor who was awarded a "Coat of Arms" by a King of England in the year of 1120.

Gideon married Nancy Dill, daughter of Solomon Dill and Sarah Baynard, on 14 Aug 1797 in Mason Co. KY. (Nancy Dill was born on 9 Jun 1777 and died on 30 Dec 1864 in Rush Co. In..)