Many people contributed to the growth and development of Minonk. Not only did Minonk become a prosperous because of its business leaders but also because of the many people such as the coal miners who labored long hard hours to make Minonk into an industrious community. Minonk's character was also shaped by its many people of different cultural and ethnic backgrounds that set it apart from other small communities. As late as the 1950's Minonk had a 'cart wheeler' by the name of Libra Galli, affectionately referred to as "Galli". He would push his cart through the alleys of Minonk followed by his faithful yellow dog and pick up items discarded by the businesses. Then there was Bart Oleyneczck who lived on the west end of Eighth Street who would serenade Minonk every Sunday night during the summer with his Hawaiian steel guitar. Bart put his guitar amplifiers on his porch and proceeded to play everything from country to Hawaiian. The music was not only heard in Minonk but even by the farmers up to 3 miles away in the country. |
What made Minonk distinctive was its robust retail district. Long before shopping centers
people from all over would come to Minonk to do their shopping. The men who ran
these businesses made Minonk the social and commercial center for 20 miles
in any direction. There were 6 car dealers at one time. Bert Goodwin ran the Ford
garage, Gene Young ran Young's Chevrolet, Leiken Brothers had the Chrysler dealership, Ray Borens
the Studebaker franchise, Walker Implement sold Buicks and Minonk Sales sold
Pontiacs. Walter Hayes ran a drugstore in Minonk for over 43 years; J. W. VanDoren
ran a jewelry story. C. R. Denson and his sons ran the Minonk News-Dispatch newspaper
for over 65 years.
We will be adding short biographies of Minonk citizens continually. To look at a particular biography just click on the name shown under the column to the right. |
Click on a name below to see their biographyReuben P. Bell - early land ownerHilda Bryson - champion rider C. R. Denson - Newspaper publisher Eugene (Doc) Hodgson - druggist Dr. A. A. Johnson - dentist Josiah Kerrick - businessman Ann Kelly - Oldest Minonk Person "Doc" Kettlehut - dentist Gesche Kettwich - pioneer woman John W. January - Civil War veteran Sam Lockwood - Jane Pickard Dean McCully - Farmer - Statesman Dr. Homer Millard - doctor Dr. Winfield Morrison - doctor Jackson Parker - pioneer businessman Alvah Parks - pioneer farmer Henry Pfaffle - photographer Pickard family - businessmen John C. Ryan - postal worker Babe Smith - electrician, philosopher Bela M. Stoddard - pioneer farmer Martha Swan - school teacher Tena Tarman - Army Nurse Veteran Bill Terry - Shoe Repair The Weistart family Dr. E. A. Wilcox - doctor William VonBehren - farmer |