HENRY C. MINNIE

     HENRY C. MINNIE, one of the most enterprising and influential citizens and business men of the attractive city of Eaton Rapids, where he is now serving as postmaster, was born in Lenawee County, Michigan, April 28, 1858, being a son of Peter and Zoa (Martin) Minnie, the former of whom was born in Massachusetts and the latter in Michigan. They now reside in Monroe county, Michigan, the father having devoted the greater portion of his active career to the vocation of contractor. The popular postmaster of Eaton Rapids was reared to maturity in Monroe County, in whose public schools he secured his early educational training. He initiated his business career by taking a position as salesman in a store in Erie, Monroe County, where he was employed until he had attained the age of twenty-two years. He then sought new fields of experience and endeavor, going to Cedar Rapids, Iowa, where he made his headquarters for three years, during which he was employed as a commercial traveler. In 1882 he took up his residence in Eaton Rapids, which place has since been his home, while he has most intimately identified himself with the business and social interests of the little city. Here he first engaged in the manufacturing of cigars, later disposing of his interests in this line of enterprise and becoming a stockholder in the Jackson Cracker Company of Jackson, Michigan, of which he was vice president five years, though still residing in Eaton Rapids. He retired from the concern when its interests were absorbed by the National Biscuit Company. In 1893 he purchased the hardware business of J. W. Munger, in Eaton Rapids, in company with G. C. Pettit, with whom he was associated one year, under the firm name of Pettit & Minnie, the firm being dissolved by the death of Mr. Pettit, who was succeeded by M. P. Bromeling. Since that time the business has been successfully carried on under the title of Minnie & Bromeling. In 1899 a stock company, of which Mr. Minnie is a member, erected the fine modern building in which the hardware establishment is located, Mr. Minnie owning one-fourth of the stock in the company. He was also associated with John M. Corbin and others in the erection of the new post office building, which is so distinctive a credit to the city and to the enterprising citizens who provided the same. Mr. Minnie is also a member of the firm of La Fever & Minnie, engaged in the furniture and undertaking business in Eaton Rapids, and is a director in the Michigan State Bank, of this city. He has ever given an unqualified allegiance to the Republican Party and is a zealous worker in its cause. He served two years as a member of the board of aldermen of Eaton Rapids, has been treasurer of the board of education for the past fifteen years, and is now president of the city board of public works, having held this chief executive office since the board was established, while he had previously been at its head when it was known as the water and electric-light board. In 1898, Mr. Minnie was appointed postmaster of Eaton Rapids, giving a most satisfactory administration and being reappointed in 1902, and again in 1906. He has provided a modern office, with the best of facilities and appointments, making a model post office for a city of the size. The post office is one of the third class and from it emanate ten rural free delivery routes. He is an appreciative member of the time-honored Masonic fraternity, in which he has attained the thirty-second degree of the Ancient Accepted Scottish Rite, and is also identified with the Knights of Pythias and the Royal Arcanum, while he and his wife attend the local Congregational church, to which they accord a liberal support. Mr. Minnie has achieved success and prestige through his own abilities and efforts, and his advancement has come through worthy means, so that he has at all times commanded the confidence and respect of his fellow men. Every enterprise or undertaking advanced for the upbuilding or interest of Eaton Rapids receives his ready co-operation, and he takes pride in the city and county in which he has established his permanent home and in which he is a valued and honored citizen. In 1890 Mr. Minnie was united in marriage to Miss Edith La Fever, daughter of George La Fever, of Eaton Rapids, and they are prominent in the social life of the community. They have no children.