William J. Minford

William J. Minford was born in County Entrin, Ireland, in 1829, to John and Mary [Awl] Minford. After his father's death in Ireland, the family migrated to America. William was seventeen years of age at the time. He, along with his mother, a brother, and two sisters, landed in New York City June 1, 1845. From New York they moved to Portsmouth, Ohio, living there eight years before moving to Harrisonville around 1853. While living in Portsmouth, Mr. Minford learned the trade of blacksmith under J. L. Ward who had a blacksmith shop in the west end of Portsmouth.

William Minford married Mary Ann Maps [Mapes] on August 22, 1851. Nine children were born to this marriage: Mary who married Daniel Carroll; Agnes who married Robert Dodge; Ellnorie who married George Milan; Sallie; Frank R. who married [1st] Lizzie L. Munn and [2nd] Lizzie Gaston; Carrie; and four others who died in infancy.

When the Civil War began Mr. Minford served in Company L, 1st Ohio Heavy Artillery. Hew was discharged in 1865.

Mr. Minford married [2nd] Abigail Meade January 1, 1878.

In Bennett Cemetery there is a large monument in honor of William Minford. The plaque reads: In memory of the village blacksmith William J. Minford. A pioneer citizen of this community, born December 31, 1829 in County Entrin Ireland, came to the U.S. in 1845, died in Harrisonville, Ohio Apr. 29, 1908, a member of the Scioto Post No. 267 G.A.R. He enlisted in 1863 Co. L, 1st Ohio Heavy Artillery, served in the Army of the Cumberland under General George Henry Thomas and was honorably discharged at Camp Dennison, Ohio in 1865. In 1918 the name of the village was changed from Harrisonville to Minford in honor of his son, Frank R. Minford, who succeeded his father as the blacksmith. Erected in 1958 by Minford descendants.

Others bearing the Minford name and buried in Bennett Cemetery are: Frank A. Minford 1932-1942, Frank R. Minford 1866-1942, Lizzie L. [Gaston] Minford 1872-1936, Homer Minford 1898-1977, and Kathleen A. Minford 1908-1915.

William J. Minford is actually buried in the Squires Cemetery beside his first wife Mary Maps. Lizzie [Munn] Minford, first wife of Frank is also buried there:

W.J.Minford
b. Jan. 1, 1826
d. 1908
Mary, his wife,
b. Nov. 2, 1835
d. Aug. 29, 1879
age 39y 27d

Lizzie [Munn] Minford
wife of Frank
b. Aug, 4, 1864
d. Oct. 14, 1890
age 26y 2mo 10d

The last resident of Minford, Ohio to bear the Minford surname was Gladys Minford. In an interview with the Portsmouth Times when she was 76 years old, Ms. Minford gave a history of the Minford family and their home on East Street. The house was purchased by William Minford in 1857. At that time it had four rooms with the upper level of the house being added in 1895.

Ms. Minford's father, Frank Minford, for whom the town was named, learned the trade of blacksmith form his father. At one time they performed the trade together. Ms. Minford sade the town was named for her father because he was the oldest living native of Harrisonville.

Ms. Minford attended Minford School when it was a one room building across the street from her house. The school only went to eighth grade. When students were ready for high school they had to go to Lucasville.

Gladys Minford never married. In the 1940s she provided meals in her home for the teachers who lived in Powell's Boarding House [now Village Creations]. Later, she cooked and supervised the cafeteria at Minford High School. She remained in the Minford home on East Street until her death.