BIO: Alfred A. MINICK, Huntingdon County, PA

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Commemorative Biographical Encyclopedia of the Juniata Valley: 
Comprising the Counties of Huntingdon, Mifflin, Juniata and Perry, 
Pennsylvania, Containing Sketches of Prominent and Representative 
Citizens and Many of the Early Settlers.  Chambersburg, Pa.: J. M. 
Runk & Co., 1897, pages 170-171.
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  A. A. MINICK, Shade Gap, Huntingdon county, Pa., son of John and 
Maria (Kuhn) Minick, was born February 28, 1853, in the old stone 
mansion of the tannery property in Dublin township, Huntingdon county. 
The great-grandfather on both sides came from Germany and settled in 
Lancaster county, Pa. The paternal grandfather, Peter Minick, was born 
and reared in Lancaster county, where he grew to manhood. He followed 
farming and tailoring all his life. He emigrated to Cumberland county 
where he worked at his trade for a while and thence went, to Carlisle. 
He died in Orrstown, Franklin county, Pa., at the age of eighty-six. 
His wife was Miss Mary Currans, of Irish descent. She died in Carlisle 
some years before her husband's death, at the age of thirty-six. The 
father, John Minick, was born in Carlisle, Pa., where he grew up and 
worked on the farm. At the age of fourteen he learned shoemaking. He 
attended school only three months, and there was taught in German. When 
he was sixteen, he went to Franklin county and learned tanning, working 
at this trade for a number of years. He married at the age of twenty-
four. In 1849 he bought the tanning plant of John M. Blair, in Dublin 
township, paying for it $3,000. The tannery tract consisted of 20 acres 
of farming land and 600 acres of mountain land. An old stone mansion 
stood on the place, which was greatly improved after the purchase. 
Although John Minick had so few educational advantages, yet later in 
life, by close study and persistent effort he acquired more than 
ordinary attainments. He became an expert accountant, and as a book-
keeper had few superiors. He adhered to the Republican party. His 
children are: Lizzie (Mrs. D. R. P. Neely), of Washington, D. C.; 
Peter, aged nineteen, who was killed by a bullet in front of 
Petersburg; John M., wounded while marching, was conveyed to hospital 
where he died; he was aged eighteen and weighed 180 pounds; Ellen H., 
married Rev. William H. Zimmerman, a Methodist preacher, resides at 
Lawrence, Kas.; Susan, married to Scott Lysinger, register and 
recorder, Bedford county, Pa.; A. A.; Cambridge G., bark superintendent 
for the Elk Tannery Company at Ridgeway, Elk county, Pa.; and S. 
Newton, farmer, residing on the old homestead. The father was a very 
benevolent man, and his purse was open to all the worthy poor. He was a 
faithful member of the Methodist church, an active worker in all 
matters pertaining to church work. For many years he was class-leader, 
and superintendent of the Sunday-school. Mrs. John Minick died in 1880, 
at the age of sixty-two; Mr. Minick in 1893, aged seventy-six years.
  Mr. A. A. Minick was educated in the public schools and at Milnwood 
Academy, in Shade Gap. In early manhood he worked in his father's 
tannery, but its doors closing for two years, he turned his attention 
to other matters for that length of time. For eight months he was 
engaged in mercantile business at Shade Gap as clerk, after which he 
entered upon a course at a business college in Lock Haven, Pa., 
graduating therefrom in 1886. The next year he went to Westminister, 
Md., and engaged as assistant superintendent of the Schlosser tannery 
at that place. Here he remained for thirteen months, and then returned 
home and started up the tannery of his father, which he has continued 
to operate up to the present time. He has been very successful, 
increasing the business very materially and making extensive 
improvements. The plant has an output of one hundred and fifty heavy 
hides per week. His principal market is in New York City. He is a 
Republican, and has served his township in many capacities. In 1876, he 
married Miss Sadie McGowan, daughter of William McGowan, hotel-keeper 
of Shade Gap. Their children are: John M.; Ira C.; Lillian L.; S. La 
Rue; all at home, a happy unbroken circle.

1860 Dublin Township, Huntingdon County census -
John Minick, 43  
Maria Minick, 41  
Elizabeth Minick, 17  
Peter Minick, 15  
John Minick, 13  
Susan Minick, 11  
Ellen Minick, 9  
Alfred Minick, 7  
Cambridge Minick, 4  
Samuel Minick, 1