Ephraim Miner Biography


	This biography appears on page 1903 in "History of South 
	Dakota" by Doane Robinson, Vol. II (1904) and was scanned, 
	OCRed and edited by Maurice Krueger, mkrueger@iw.net.

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	EPHRAIM MINER was born in Oswego, New York, and until eighteen years old 
remained with his parents, enjoying the meantime the best educational advantages 
his native. city afforded. At the age noted he severed home ties and gave his 
attention to teaching. After teaching for three successive winter seasons in 
that state, he taught two terms in Illinois and Minnesota respectively, then 
returned home and a little later accompanied his widowed mother to Wisconsin, 
where he clerked for a short time in a store. From the latter place Mr. Miner 
went to Minnesota and engaged in merchandising, but later returned to Wisconsin 
and held a clerkship in a business house at Geneva Lake. Resigning his position, 
he and two companions drove overland to Pike's Peak and devoted his time to 
prospecting in Colorado. Returning to Wisconsin he entered the employ of the 
American Express Company and was located at St. Joseph Mission, being 
transferred from that place to the Chicago division, which he ran one year as 
messenger. At the expiration of that time he was promoted to an important and 
responsible office, which he held until he severed his connection with the 
company and came to Yankton, Dakota, where for three years he clerked for a 
hardware firm.

	Subsequently Mr. Miner was appointed census taker of Dakota and in the 
discharge of his duties as such traveled over nearly the entire territory. He 
was elected to the state legislature, in which capacity he served two terms, and 
later he was returned to the same body two successive terms, serving on a number 
of important committees, besides taking an active part in the general 
deliberations and taking his proper place as one of the leading Republicans on 
the floor. Meantime he formed a partnership in the hardware business at Yankton, 
but later he disposed of his interests to his associates, and in the fail of 
1876 was elected register of deeds. He later engaged in the cattle business, to 
which he devoted considerable attention for a number of years, and became 
interested in other enterprises, notably among which was the Yankton Pressed 
Brick Company. Later this business was discontinued and a flouring mill erected 
on the site of the works. This mill has since been one of the leading 
enterprises of Yankton and under the efficient management of Miner & Walker, 
present proprietors, the business has steadily grown in magnitude and importance 
until the demand for their brand of flour now exceeds the supply.