This contains a transcription of the Francis C. Minor of Gilsum, NH biography from Biographical Review Volume XXIII: Containing Life Sketches of Leading Citizens of Cheshire and Hillsboro Counties, New Hampshire, Biographical Review Publishing Company, Boston, 1897.
Page 101
FRANCIS C. MINOR, a retired woollen [sic] manufacturer of Gilsum, Cheshire County, and a veteran of the Civil War, is a native of Canada, born June 12, 1832. His parents, Robert and Margaret (Lambert) Minor, were natives of the British Provinces, as was also his grandfather, Joseph Minor. The last named was a farmer, and reared a large family. Robert Minor was an industrious tiller of the soil during the active period of his life. He was the father of four children—Joseph, Celia, Josephine, and Francis C.
Francis C. Minor attended schools in Canada and in Northfield, Vt. He learned the woollen manufacturing business in the Green Mountain State, and followed it in various places until 1867 and after that date in Gilsum, being associated with the late Robert Cuthbert. He subsequently became a member of the Gilsum Woollen Manufacturing Company, and retained his interest in that concern until the fall of 1896, when he retired from business. Mr. Minor enlisted in Company E, Fifteenth Regiment Vermont Volunteers, with which he served one year in the Civil War, participating in the battle of Gettysburg. He belongs to the Grand Army of the Republic. He has been active in public affairs, supporting the Republican party in politics; and as a member of the House of Representatives in 1879 he served upon the Committee on Reform Schools. He is connected with the Masonic fraternity, being made a Mason in De Witt Clinton Lodge of Northfield, Vt., and belongs to the Patrons of Husbandry. He is a member of the Congregational church.
In 1855 Mr. Minor was joined in marriage with Emily F. Thompson, who was born in Gilsum, July 11, 1834, daughter of John and Sarah (Winchester) Thompson. She has been the mother of three sons: Frank L., born in Keene, May 7, 1857; Elmer E., born in Northfield, Vt., July 2, 1861; and Charles C., who was drowned at the age of five years. Frank L. Minor, who was in the woollen manufacturing business, married Irene Polly, and died in 1880. Elmer E. Minor, who was educated at the Kimball Union Academy, Meriden, N. H., is now engaged in mercantile business in Gilsum. He married Viola Pitcher, who was born in Sullivan, N. H., March 13, 1868, daughter of Frederick L. Pitcher, of Keene. He has two children: Frank C., born in Keene, December 28, 1889; and Paul L., born in Gilsum, August 22, 1893.