BIOGRAPHIES:  Eli MINDER, Ella, Pepin Co., WI

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Submitted by Nance Sampson, Pepin Co. Archives File Manager on 19 November 2004
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**Posted for informational purposes only - submitter is not related to the
subject of this biography and has no further information.

Eli Minder, steamboat pilot, P. O. Ella, Pepin county, was born in
Centre county, Pa., October 5,1 838.  Both of his grandfathers were
Germans, and settled in an early day in Berks county, Pa.  His parents,
John and Ann (Osawaldt) Minder, had eight children, namely: Nathan,
Elizabeth (Mrs. H. Fletcher), John, Jonas, Benjamin, David, Jacob and
Eli.  When our subject was about five years old, the family moved to
Fort Madison, Iowa, where he attended a private or select school and
worked with his father in a wagon shop.  Later he clerked in dry goods
and clothing stores for about three years.  In 1856 he came to
Frankfort township and worked on a farm.  About two years later his
parents moved here, and Mr. Minder worked at wagon-making.  He died in
1863, and his wife's death occurred about three years later.  In 1859
our subject began working on the river, pulling an oar on a raft,
between Waubeek and Read's Landing, for C. C. Washburn & Co.  IN 1864
he became a raft pilot for the Knapp, Stout Lumber Co., and soon after
received a license as steamboat pilot and ran on the "Pete Wilson" for
several years.  February 28, 1869, he married Mary H. Milliren, and
they have three children:  Jessie E., Nellie B. and Delbert B.  Mr.
Minder lived at Read's Landing until 1873, when he removed to Ella and
opened a general store.  In 1875 his store burned down, and he next
built and ran a ferry boat between Stockholm and Lake City.  From 1882
and 1887 he owned an interest in the steamer "Luella" plying between
Stillwater, Minn., and Hannibal, Mo.  In the latter year he began
running on the "Phil Scheckel," where he is still employed. 
Politically he is a democrat.

-Transcribed from the "Historical & Biographical Album of the Chippewa
Valley Wisconsin, 1891-2," page 822.


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