James Vantine MINK

Notes:

James V. Mink - Prominent among the energetic, far-seeing and successful business men of Elgin is the subject of this sketch, who is a well-known real estate dealer, with office in room 7, Town's Block. He was born in that city June 26, 1852, a son of Robert and Sarah Jane (Van Tine) Mink, natives of New York. His paternal grandfather, John Mink, was also born in New York, of Holland Dutch descent, and was a farmer by occupation. At an early day he came west and took up his residence in Kane county, Illinois, but died two years later, when nearly ninety years of age. He reared a small family. Our subject's maternal grandfather was born in this country and died in middle life. In 1842 Robert Mink, our subject's father, came to Kane county and purchased a fine farm of two hundred acres two miles northeast of Elgin, which he transformed into one of the most highly-cultivated tracts in the locality. After engaging in agricultural pursuits for many years, he laid aside business cares a few years before his death, which occured in 1880, when he was sixty-seven years of age. His wife had passed away three years previous at the age of sixty-five. Both were earnest, consistent Christians, the mother belonging to the Baptist Church, while the father was Presbyterian in faith. Four children were born to them, of whom three are still living: John W., Leander F., and James V. Upon the home farm James V. Mink was reared, and, after attending the district schools for a time, he entered the Elgin Academy, where he completed his education. For five or six years after starting out in life for himself, he engaged in the grocery trade in Elgin, but for the past twenty years has been interested in real estate, doing a large and profitable business along that line. Besides his property in Elgin, he owns an excellent farm of three hundred acres five miles east of that place, and also city property in Chicago. On the 18th of May, 1878, Mr. Mink was united in marriage with Miss Gracie Todd, a daughter of Thomas and Anna (McNeil) Todd, and to them have been born seven children, three sons and four daughters, namely: Edna J., Royal J., Clyde, Annie, Gladys, Mamie, and one who died in infancy. Only three are now living - Annie, Gladys and Clyde. The family have a beautiful home at No. 554 Douglas avenue, which was erected in 1885. Mrs. Mink holds membership in the Congregational church. Politically Mr. Mink is identified with the Republican party, and for four years he most efficiently served as alderman for the First ward. Integrity, activity and energy have been the crowning points of his success, and his connection with different business enterprises has been a decided advantage to the city. He is public-spirited and progressive, giving his support to all measures which he believes calculated to advance the general welfare. HISTORY OF KANE COUNTY, ILLINOIS Published in 1908

James married Grace Hamilton TODD on 18 May 1878. Grace was born on 28 Aug 1857 in Dundee Twp., Kane Co., IL; died on 15 Jan 1945 in Pasadena, CA. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

1. Anne MINK died in 1976 in Carlsbad, CA.
2. James V. MINK died in 1962 in Pasadena, CA; was buried in Forest Lawn Cem., Glendale, CA.
3. Edna J. MINK was born on 30 Aug 1884 in Elgin, Kane, IL; died on 8 Aug 1885 in Elgin, Kane, IL.
4. Royal J. MINK was born on 1 Jan 1886 in Elgin, Kane, IL; died on 26 Oct 1896 in Elgin, Kane, IL.
5. Gladys MINK was born in 1890 in Elgin, Kane Co., IL; died on 12 May 1972 in Orange, CA.
6. Arthur Clyde MINK was born on 7 Jun 1893 in Elgin, Kane Co., IL; died in Oct 1980.
7. Jeanie Marguerite MINK was born on 7 Aug 1895 in Elgin, Kane, IL; died on 3 Nov 1896 in Elgin, Kane, IL.

Notes:

b: ST PETER'S LUTH #3134 spons: PARENTS. Marriage listed in: 'NEW YORK CITY METHODIST MARRIAGES, 1785 - 1893' (page 672). List marriage date as 6/18/1835. DEATH'S HARVEST Robert Mink departed this life at 1 o'clock this morning at the home of his son, J.V. Mink, on Douglas Avenue. Death came after months of suffering had prepared the way and made known to all that it was near. Mr. Mink would have reached the age of 70 years had he lived a few days longer. Five months ago he was stricken with paralysis, his brain softened, and his nervous system gradually gave way until the end came. At the beginning of his illness he was at the home of his son, L.W. Mink, three miles northeast of the city, but as it became apparent that he could not rally he was brought to Elgin that he might be more easily reached by medical assistance. At one time last fall his death was almost hourly expected, and he was scarcely conscious of passing events from the time of paralysis touched him. He came from Rhinebeck, Dutchess County, NY, about forty years ago, and was therefore one of the pioneer residents of this section of the country, following the occupation of farmer. His wife died comparatively recently, but he leaves three sons, James V., the Douglas Avenue grocer, John and L.W. Mink. The funeral will occur on Sunday afternoon at 2 o'clock at the residence of James Mink. ELGIN DAILY NEWS - FEBRUARY 1883

ROBERT RUSSELL MINK

Robert R. was baptized at St. Peter's Lutheran Church at Rhinebeck, NY, Jan. 19, 1814. He married Sarah Jane Vantine June 17, 1835 in New York City. The couple migrated to Kane County along with other family members. After arriving in Kane County, Robert's family and his brother, John, who never married, settled on a farm in Elgin. The property later became the fairgrounds of the Elgin Agricultural Society, located east of Hill St. and between what is now Enterprise Street and Columbia Ave. Selling the farm about ten years later, they bought one from Samuel Hammers, three miles northeast of Elgin in Hanover Twp., Cook County. They moved there in the fall of 1854. In later years, the farm was described as being 'one of the most highly-cultivated tracts in the locality.' Robert and Sarah had four children: John William; James V., born July 31, 1845, Hanover Twp., Cook Co., died May 10, 1846, Hanover Twp.; Leander F., born Aug. 20, 1850, Hanover Twp., married Marcia Woodward, March 11, 1874, died Dec.22, 1922, Elgin; and James Vantine, born June 26, 1852, Hanover Twp., married Grace Todd, May 18, 1878, died Nov. 17, 1931, Elgin. Both Robert and Sarah were credited with being 'earnest, consistent Christians,' according to the Biographical Record of Kane County. Sarah was an active member of the First Baptist Church, while her husband, Robert, was a Presbyterian. Sarah died Jan. 9, 1880, in Hanver Twp., Cook County, IL; and Robert died Feb. 23, 1883, in Elgin. - KANE COUNTY ILLINIS EARLY FAMILIES 1833 - 1885 - by the E.G.S. 1991

Robert married Sarah Jane FONTEYN on 18 Jun 1835 in New York City, N.Y., USA. Sarah (daughter of William FONTEYN) was born in 1815 in N.Y., USA; died on 9 Jan 1880 in Elgin, Kane, IL., USA; was buried on 12 Jan 1880 in Channing St. Cemetery, Elgin, Kane, IL., USA. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

Not sure which wife was her mother

Marriage record found in 'NEW YORK CITY METHODIST MARRIAGES, 1785 - 1893', Vol I, Index of Brides. Compiled by William Scott Fisher. Picton Press, Comden, Maine. (US/CAN, 974.71, K2fn, V. 1) sent by Carol Yocom. Obituary of Jane (Vantine) Mink - Mrs. Jane Mink, mother of James and L.F. Mink of this city, died yesterday of heart disease, aged sixty-five years. She had been quite ill for a week or two. THE ELGIN ADVOCATE, SATURDAY, JANUARY 10,1880.

John married Catharina REICHERT. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Johannes married Catrine Willemse CORNEL. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]