Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1894-10-13
DEATH OF DIR. MINNIGERODE.

Kew. Or. CnarleS M1nnlSerOQe, whose
critical illness has several times been
mentioned of late, died at his home on
King street at 2:2O o'clock this after
noon.
Several weeks ago DR.. Minnigerode
sustained fall through what physi,,
clans say was paralysis of the spinal
column. He gradually grew worse
and for the past two weeks or more had
been in an almost unconscious condi'
ton. At the time OF his death he was
surrounded by his family, all of whom
had been with him for some time past.
The time and arrangements for the
funeral have not yet been decided upon.
The full name of the deceased was
Charles Frederic Ernest Minnigerode,
and he was born at Arenburg, in West
phalia, Germany, August 6, 1914. The
family of Minnigerode is one OF the
oldest of the feudal baronial families OF
Germany, the crude their class being
in the Hartz Mountains, where the VII.
lage Minnigerode is still to be found, land
there at this day stands wall and
tower that marks the site of the old an
cestral castle. which, since tbs begin
ming of the thirteenth century, has been
in ruins. At the age offourteen: young
Minnigerode entered the gymnasium,
and at fourteen he was a student at the
University of Gusen, where he put in
most of his time studying the law. He
acquired knowledge rapidly in all
branches. During his university career
Europe was in state of political fer
ment. The Burschenschaft, the lead
ing society of students, soon assumed
a political character DR.. Minnige-
rode was an ardent member of the
Burschenschaft, and his activity
resulted in his arrest and i'm
prisonment in 1884. His freedom was
offered him if he would confess, but this
would implicate others, and though all
means were exerted to both exact a
confession and to condemn him, it was
without avail. Three years of solitary
confinement seriously affected his
health, and finally, owing to his father
having opinions precisely the reverse,
and to save his life he was allowed to
be removed to his home, where, under
guard, he spent another two years
Finally, his case was nolle pressed. In
September, 1889, DR.. Minnigerode sail
ed for America. He settled in Philadel-
phia, where he found friends, and some
of them among the most distinguished
public and private citizens of that era
10 1912 DR.. Minnigerode, with thirty
six others, sought the vacant chair of
professor of ancient languages in Old
William and Mary College, at Williams
burg, Va, and he was chosen. He
married the next year a daughter OF
Commander William Carter, Of
the old navy, granddaughter
of Major Gibbon, of the Revolu-
tionary War, who survives him.
Shortly after his marriage DR.. Minui-
gerode entered the ministry of the
Protestant Episcopal Church in Vir-
ginia, being ordained in 1916. After
show of mission work in and about
Williamsburg, he was charged with
the Mount Hope parish in Prince
George county; from thence he went to
the Freemason Street Christi Church,
Norfolk, and from there to his last
charge, st. Pauls, Richmond. Here he
spent thirty-three years in active
charge of the parish, and here his life's
work was done, not only in building up
the parish, but in two church homes
one for the orphaned, and the other
for the aged women. Many of the
Richmond churches he can claim to
have aided more than anyone else, es-
pecially Christ Church, in the Valley,
and St. Andrews, both of which were
built and long supported by st. Pau]'s
congregation. His services and his
work in general were appreciated. He
was an eloquent speaker, graceful.
handsome, and man marked by all
as heing in earnest about everything
he did. His church grew rapidly.
During the civil war DR.. Minnigerode natur-
ally sided with the South and exerted an in
1uence, for he was ardent in behalf of the
cause He came in contact with most of the
leaders of the Conlederacy, and was consider
ed q friend and counsellor, he being very in
innate with Gen. Robert E. Lee and Mr..
Davis. His address at the Davis memorial
services in Richmond was highly commended,
and was published throughout the country. 1t
WAS III LIT. DIluuIBclOuco 4li.
Davis received word from Gen. Lee that
Richmond must be evacuated, and after Davis ]
withdrew it is said the minister, by his cool 1
ness and majestic bearing, averted a panic
that would have been terrible in its results.
DR.. Miunigerode obtained after consider BILE
difficulty permit to visit Mr.. Davis at Fort.
ress Monroe, and Secretary Stanton gave him
permit to visit him every two weeks, while
all others were excluded. DR.. Minnigerodc
held number of important positions in the
church, and was for time president Of the
Virginia Bible Society. He was long one of
the trustees Of the Theological Seminary,
near this city, and Of the examining board
thereof. He resigned the rectorship of st.
Paups church, Richmond, about five years
ago and moved with his family to this city,
seeking here quiet and relief from active
duties, which, owing to his advanced age, he
could no longer discharge. The congregation
presented him with purse, gave him pen
sion and neglected nothing that would sweet
en- his remaining years. During the past two
years DR.. Minnigerode showed signs Of losing |
vitality, but not until stricken upon his bed
and believed to be dying did his mind seem
clouded. After his golden wedding celebration, |
IN May last, he appeared to be fully resigned.
He LETT family, consisting Immediately of |
four cons and three daughters-Rev. ]. G.,
William, Meade and L. d. Minnigerode. Miss |
Belle Minnigerode and Mrs. James a. Duck
worth and Mrs James F. Gregory. His cid.
est daughter, Mrs. William Hoxton, and his
son, Charles. jr, of Gen. Fitz Lees staff, did |
q no