It is with pleasure that we essay the task of epitomizing the salient points in the interesting career of the estimable and enterprising gentleman whose name is at the head of this article, and it is very fitting that such be granted space in the history of Malheur County, since he has labored here for the up building of the county and has wrought with wisdom and energy for this end, while also he has spent much time on the frontier and in other places, always, however, manifesting that same energy and capability in furthering the chariot of progress and building for the generations to come.
Mr. Minton was born in Cape Girardeau County, Missouri, on November25, 1856, being the son of Willis J. and Martha S. (Coker) Minton. When he was a lad of seven he was taken by his parents to Cedar County, and in 1874 went with his parents to Pueblo, Colorado, and thence he went to Florence, Colorado, and there followed farming for a time. There also he was married on August 14, 1880, Miss Minerva Jackson becoming his wife on that occasion. In 1884 he removed with his family to New Mexico, securing a farm, which he tilled until 1889. In the last year mentioned he came via the Southern Pacific to San Francisco and thence on the steamer “State of California” to Portland. Soon we find him in Walla Walla and then in Spokane, Washington, later in Butte, Montana, whence he went to Tacoma, remaining there until 1891, occupied as foreman for the Tacoma Contracting Company. After this he was in Spokane again then at Boise and finally he came to Nyssa entered land and went to improving it. He with others saw the advisability of the ditch and so started the Owyhee Ditch, which has added so much to this country. In 1902 Mr. Minton sold his valuable farm, which was covered by that ditch, and he has property in Nyssa, where he is about to build a fine residence. Politically he is a Democrat and is active in the realms of good government and political matters.
To Mr. and Mrs. Minton were born two children, Samuel P. aged eighteen years and Eskel P. aged sixteen years. On December 14, 1889 Mrs. Minton was called by death from this realm, being in Durango, Colorado, at the time. Mr. Minton is the oldest of nine children, having five sisters and three brothers the entire number living in the west. His father was born and reared in the state of Missouri and his mother was a native of Kentucky, and they were married about 1853. From Colorado they came west and the mother died at Goldendale, Washington, on June 20, 1900, and the father is still living in North Yakima, that state. Our subject has, in addition to the property above mentioned, some fine placer mines in the Dry Buck country, which he is now working.