Published Articles of Erwin G. Minges

Notes for Erwin G. Minges:
From The History Of Calhoun County, Michigan.

ERWIN G. MINGES: "Many of the ablest men in American are ardent devotees of the great basic industry of agriculture and it is well that is because the various learned professions are rapidly becoming so crowded with inefficient practitioners that in a few years it will be practically impossible for any but the exceptionally talented man to make good or even gain a competing living therein. The independent farmer, who, in addition to tilling the soil, cultivates his mind and retains his health, is a man much to be envied in these days of strenuous bustle and nervous energy. He lives his life as he chooses and is always safe from financial ravages and other troubles of the so-called "cliff-dweller." An able and representative agriculturist, who has done much to advance progress and conserve prosperity in Calhoun County, Michigan, is Frank G. Minges, who owns and operates a finely improved farm in Battle Creek township.

Erwin G. Minges was born in Battle Creek township, Calhoun County, Michigan, May 27 1865, is a son of Abram and Eugenia (Amidon) Minges, the former of whom was born in Lycoming County, Pennsylvania, in 1818, and the latter was born in New York, in 1845. Abram Minges came to Michigan at the age of eighteen years. He learned the trade of millwright. In 1849 he joined the gold-seekers on their way to the new "Eldorado" in California and remained in that commonwealth for two years, at the expiration of which he returned to Michigan, settling in Battle Creek township, where he cultivated a fine farm on which he resided until his demise, April 1, 1908, at the patriarchal age of ninety years. He erected a grist mill near his home farm and ran the same for two years. He also built a number of other mills, among them being the old Hart Mill in the city of Battle Creek. He was twice married, his first union having been to Miss. Elsie Cowlan, of St. Joseph County, Michigan. Two children were born to this union but both are deceased. Mrs. Minges died on December 24, 1863. Mr. Minges was united in marriage to Miss Eugenia Amidon, a native of New York, whence she accompanied her parents to Michigan in 1860, at the age of fifteen years. Mr. and Mrs. Minges became the parents of four children, three of whom are living, in 1912, namely, - Erwin G., of this notice: Orlow and Frank. Mrs. Minges is still living, her home being in Battle Creek Township. Mr. Minges was a staunch Republican in his political convictions and for five years he was township supervisor. He was a man of splendid business ability and he was always ready to do all in his power to advance the general welfare of the community in which he lived.

Erwin G. Minges was reared to maturity on the old homestead farm, in the work and management of which he early began to assist his father, and he was educated in the district schools of Battle Creek township. He also completed a commercial course in the Battle Creek Business college. Since reaching man's estate he had been engaged in farming and October 4, 1888, he settled on his fine estate of forty acres, located 4 miles distant from Battle Creek. He is engaged in diversified agriculture and stock-raising and has been decidedly successful in his farming operations. In politics he is a Republican and at one time he was the popular and efficient incumbent of the office of township clerk.

On October 3, 1888, Mr. Minges married Miss. Cora B. Cummings, a daughter of Enoch and Mary Cummings, of Battle Creek Township. The Cummings family traces its ancestry back to old English stock, the emigrant ancestor in America having come hither in the Mayflower. Enoch Cummings was born in New York, in 1821, and he died in 1886. He came to Michigan in April, 1845, and here married Mary Barlow, also of New York. Mrs. Cummings is still living and of her six children Mrs. Minges was the second in order of birth. Mr. and Mrs. Minges are the parents of two children. - Elsie M., who is now Mrs. Victor Scramlin, of Climax; and Clayton C., who remains at the parental home. At the present time, in 1912, there are five generations of the Minges family living."