William Minow Biography


	This biography appears on pages 173-174 in "History of Dakota 
	Territory" by George W. Kingsbury, Vol. V (1915) and was 
	scanned, OCRed and edited by Maurice Krueger, mkrueger@iw.net.

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				WILLIAM MINOW. 

	William Minow, a highly esteemed and successful farmer of Bon 
Homme county, was born in the village of Letschin, Brandenburg, 
Prussia, February 23, 1844. As nearly as can be ascertained, the family 
is of Polish descent and the name was originally Von Minowski. The 
parents of our subject were Christian and Maria (Sommerfeld) Minow, who 
in 1869 emigrated to Ackley, Iowa, where the father passed away. The 
mother accompanied William to South Dakota. 

	William Minow attended school for seven years during the summer 
and winter, and his only vacation periods were during the time of wheat 
harvest in August and the potato harvest in September. After putting 
aside his text-books he learned the blacksmith's trade and when the 
time came for him to serve in the army he was detailed to work in shops 
at Berlin, Cologne, Spandau and other large cities. Even during the war 
with Denmark in 1864, and with Austria in 1866, he did not have to 
serve in the field but worked in shops and arsenals, repairing cannon 
and other equipment. In 1868 he sailed from Hamburg on the Cymbria and 
after eleven days landed in New York. He made his way immediately to 
Aqua, Iowa, and there worked at his trade until 1878, when he removed 
to Dakota territory and settled on his present farm, on section 17, 
Albion precinct, Bon Homme county. He bought a relinquishment and filed 
on his land as a homestead claim, and subsequently purchased a quarter 
section adjoining, upon which his son now lives. The land was open 
prairie at the time that it came into his possession and he planted a 
grove and orchard as soon as possible. The trees are now large and he 
derives much pleasure from them, while the grove is a desirable 
protection against the wind, and the orchard supplies an abundance of 
fruit. He built as a residence a small frame house, which he has since 
enlarged, so that it is now one of the commodious homes in his county. 
He has labored untiringly and to good effect, seeking always the 
maximum efficiency in his work, and now has a comfortable competence. 

	Mr. Minow was married in Ackley, Iowa, to Miss Dorothy Meyer, a 
native of Hanover, Germany, and a daughter of August and Katherine 
(Meyer) Meyer, who, although of the same name, were not related. To Mr. 
and Mrs. Minow were born seven children: Amanda, who married Frank 
Smith, of Avon, this state; Frieda, the wife of George Smith, a farmer 
residing north of Avon; William, who married Miss Nola Shaver and who 
is engaged in agricultural pursuits in Albion precinct; Edward, who 
married Lena Bangert and is operating one of his father,s farms; Ella 
and August, who are at home; and Louise, who is the wife of George 
Wheeler, a farmer of Albion precinct. Mrs. Minow passed away July 3, 
1908. 

	Mr. Minow is a Lutheran and is a generous contributor to that 
church. His political allegiance is given to the democratic party and 
he served as deputy assessor for one term. His sterling worth and 
agreeable personality have won for him the friendship of many, and all 
who know him hold him in high respect.