The theocrat. [volume] (Zion City [i.e. Zion], Ill.) 1914-1949, 1949-06-01
WARD MINORS ~
Continued from Page II

Although Ward was jack Of all
trades in his early youth and tried
everything from farming to peddling
newspapers, he finally launched his
present technical career in 1888, when
he gained employment as repairman
and salesman for Walter DePew at
the Dunes Appliance store on South
Sheridan Road.
Started With Dunes Store
While employed at the Dunes store,
Ward became familiar with the Phil
co Gas company equipment and a few
months later became affiliated with
the company at their large Mitchell
Radio and Appliance store in Rock
ford.
After a few months Of specialized
training at the Crosley branch fact
DRY at Sterling, Ward returned to
Rockford as manager of the Mitchell
Service department and finally was
appointed head Of the service depart
ment for the entire Rockford area.
Shortly after Pearl Harbor, Minor
left the Philco Company to accept a
position with the Gustav A. Larson
wholesale distributors and was placed
in charge of the Rockford branch,
handling the wholesale distribution
of all refrigeration supplies and
equipment.
Assisted War Effort
1t was while affiliated with the Lar
son concern during the war years
that he had the opportunity to assist
several of the War Industries in the
area and, through his knowledge, con-
tributed materially toward the sue
cessful prosecution of the war, pro-
viding pertinent information that was
used to good advantage in the man.
ufacture of precision war instruments.
At the close of the war he became
attached to the Kelvinator Corpora
ton at Minneapolis, Mimi, and then
finally accepted employment with the
Afro Supply Company of Chicago in
one of the Worlds largest refrigera-
ton and air-conditioning supplies
houses.
While with the Afro company he
became sales engineer in refrigeration
and air conditioning and in this ca
pacity covered the entire Chicago and
Northshore area, handling both indus
trial and domestic trade. His techni-
cal knowledge also was put to use as
a lecturer and during his tenure with
Afro he lectured graduating classes
at the Chicago Technical college and
the Utilities Engineering Institute on
the finer points of refrigeration.
Married May 20, 1916
Shortly after his return to this area,
Ward became re-acquainted with the
former Miss Helen Douglas, one of
the Douglas twins, and they were
married at the Lutheran Church in
Chicago on May 20, 1916. Mr.. and
Mrs. Minor celebrated their third we'd
ding anniversary last Sunday with
relatives in Milwaukee. They have a
son, John Wesley, who was born May
26, 1947.
Ward left the Afro company to go
into business for himself last Decem-
Der and opened his local shop here
in the basement of his home, 1905 Ra-
vine Drive in January and then open
ed his present downtown shop at 1924
Sheridan Road in February.
Reverting to the childhood of Minor,
it is discovered that his parents were
among the early residents of Zion and
his father and mother, the former
Miss Gertrude Weed, met accidental
ly at romantic Niagara Falls during
the New York Visitation and this
chance acquaintance led to their mar
riage in Zion on April IS, 1906, with
DR.. John Alexander Dowie perform
ing the ceremonies.
Helped Build Zion
Wards father has the distinction of
being among the early builders in the
community and helped to construct
many of the present land marks in
Guiding the Zion Hotel Zion Home),
the Administration Building, the Zion
Department Stores and many of the
early homes.
AS young married couple, Wards
parents first lived in Waukegan, due
to the housing shortage in the city in
those early days, and later construct
ed their present home in Section II