The Telegraph-courier. [volume] (Kenosha, Wis.) 1888-1946, 1900-03-29
MINER DEAD
First Settler of the Town of Brighton
is Found Dead in Bed Early
Thursday Morning.
A LONG AND ACTIVE CAREER.

in the Same Spot For Sixty three Years.
Had Been Chairman of the Town For
Many Years and Has Held Many other
omces-Laaves Large Fortune.
A report comes from Salem announc-
ing that C1app Miner was found dead
in bed alta early hour Thursday morn
ing. The announcement of the death
of C1app Miner will cause sorrow in all
parts of the county for it is doubtful if
any man in the county had greater
circle of friends Cand acquaintance
than the deceased. He was one of the
fixtures of Southport and Kenosha,
and his death will leave vacancy in
cause tears toshow from many an eye
when the old settlers gather together
again. Mr.. Miner had reached the adj
vanced age of ninety-three years and
for some time. past he has been in poor
health but his death was wholly unex-
pected. A short timesbefore his death
he had been able to be about and with
clear control of his faculties he had
personally superintended his business
interests which were exceedingly large.
To tell the life story Of C1app Miner
is impossible, as his life from early
times down ito the time of his death
has been a record of the active bust
ness man. He was among the early
band of pioneer settlers, and came to
Kenosha county with Levant Stevens,
j. L. Sho1es, Lathrop Burgess and
J. H. Kimba11.
The deceased was born in Putnam
county, New York, Feb, 20, 1907. From
the beginning of his early manhood
his life was of more than usual inter
est. AS soon as he had reached the
long trousers stage he took an active
interest in stock, and while yet boy
he joined a circus as an elephant
trainer. With the circus he made
tour of all the countries and islands
south of the United States, and his
friends delighted to hear him tell of
the times when he travelled with the
circus in foreign lands. Later he was
among the first who made the over
land journey across the continent 20
California.
In August, 1887 Mr.. Miner came to
Kenosha county and went to the town
of Brighton. At this time the late
Lathrop Burgess was the only resident
of the town. The two men took up
farms side by side, and both lived to
ripe old age on the farms which they
had secured in their early manhood.
Mr.. Burgess died short time ago, ard
left his lifelong companion the honor
of being the oldest living settler in the
town.
AS farmer Mr.. Miner prospered,
and his lands soon extended to the
surrounding territory. His love for
stock soon led him into the business
of sheep raising, and with the small
fortune which he had earned in those
early days, he laid the foundation for
a great estate, which he leaves behind.
During the war Mr.. Miner owned
nearly all the sheep in this county, and
it is claimed that his sales of wool at
enormous prices brought him an i'm
mense fortune.
The deceased always took a great
interest in the local political interests
of the town, and for many years he
occupied the position of chairman of
the town of Brighton. He was also
member of the school board for many
years.
In his personal, private life Mr..
Miner was indeed an interesting char
acter. For many years the "Beau
Brumme1'' of the town of Brighton his
acquaintance extended to all parts of
the county. He was as well known
among the early settlers of the city as
he was about his home. Strictly hon
est in all his dealings with men, he
soon formed friendships which have
been broken off only by death.
He was an honored member of the
Masonic order and was an Odd Fellow
of high degree.
In 1845 the deceased returned to New
York and was married to Miss Sophia
Wineman, of Madison county, N. Y.
They had five children, but four of
them with the mother have preceded
the father to the better land. The one
surviving child is Mary, the wife of
Harvey Knapp of this county.
IN MS dC1VSE1S MI M1uer cuIndSSSu
large fortune which is estimated at
from SIS, 900 to 100000.
One by one the early pioneer homes
are being closed and one by one their
owners are being laid to rest under the
grassy mounds in the little cemeteries
of the county and all the people of the
city regret that they are called to pay
silent tribute to the memory of those
lives which made Kenosha what it is
today.
Only a few years more and all will
rest together but their works will sur
vive as monument more grand than
stored urn or column of marble.