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McMinn, John, whose portrait appears in this
work, was born in Dallas county, Missouri, May 2, 1839. Here he received his
primary education. In 1852 he emigrated to California with his parents,
crossing the plains with an ox-team, arriving in Sonoma county October 15,
1852. They settled in Santa Rosa township, on the farm now owned by his father,
Joseph McMinn, two miles south-west from the town of Santa Rosa. He attended
the public schools until 1858, when be completed his education at Scott's
Academy in Santa Rosa.
In May 1876, he moved to and has since continuously
occupied the place where he now resides, consisting of three hundred and
fourteen acres of land. In a south-westerly direction from Santa Rosa stands
Mr. McMinn's handsome residence. The location is one of the most picturesque
and attractive to be met with in this part of the county. It commands a
magnificent view of the valley, dotted with live oaks and cultivated fields.
The building is of wood, two stories high, constructed in a most substantial
manner, and in an unique and highly attractive style of architecture. It is
finished and furnished in a manner appropriate to such an enterprise. It is a
beautiful, inviting, convenient and cheerful home.
Since Mr. McMinn's
twenty-seven years' residence in this county, his life has been marked with
kindly deeds, and he is known to be worthy of the highest esteem and respect.
He married Elizabeth, daughter of the Rev. Jonathan Blair, on February 28,
1861. She was born in McDonald County, Missouri, June 12, 1840, and came to
this county from her native State with her parents in 1857. Jonathan, Mary M.,
Etta May, Rosalee, Joseph, Clara Jane, Allette, Nancy Bessie, and John
Frederick, are the names of their children. He was married to Elizabeth Jane
Blair on 28 Feb 1861 in Sonoma County, California.
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