BIOS: Samuel MINDER, Lower Turkeyfoot, Somerset County, PA

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BIOGRAPHICAL REVIEW, Vol. XXXII, Containing Life Sketches of Leading 
Citizens of Bedford and Somerset Counties, Pennsylvania. Boston, 
Biographical Review Publishing Company: 1899, pp 127-128.

  Samuel Minder, a prosperous farmer of Lower Turkey Foot, was born in Somerset, 
June 2, 1838, son of John and Sarah (Sweitzer) Minder.  The father was born 
November 6, 1806, in Canton Berne, Switzerland.  He emigrated in 1833, landing 
in Baltimore, Md., and came to Somerset township, Pa.  A short time later he 
went to Ohio, but, not being favorably impressed with that region, he returned 
and was engaged in farming and road building.  Renting a farm in Lower Turkey 
Foot, he occupied it for eleven years, and at the end of that time he bought a 
farm of four hundred and ninety acres located near Ursina, and there made his 
home for the rest of his life.  He died in 1894.  For some time he served with 
ability as Assessor and Collector.  He was a member of the German Reformed 
church.  Sarah, his wife, who died in 1882 on the farm at Ursina, was a daughter 
of Peter Sweitzer, of Somerset township, whose father came from Berks county, 
this State.  Peter Sweitzer married a Miss Freedline, and had a family of eleven 
children.  John and Sarah Minder reared four children, namely: Samuel, the 
subject of this sketch; Emily, who married Jeremiah Liston and died in 
Friendsville, Md., in 1892; Matilda, who is now the widow of Samuel Cretchfield 
and resides upon a part of the homestead farm; and Sarah, who died in 1888, aged 
forty-four years.
  Samuel Minder acquired his education in the public schools of Lower Turkey 
Foot.  When he was fifteen years old his parents moved to the farm where Ursina 
now is, and he assisted in its cultivation until reaching the age of thirty-two, 
when he settled upon a portion of the property where he now resides.  He owns 
one hundred and sixty-seven acres of excellent land, and as a farmer he is 
energetic and successful.
  In 1870 Mr. Minder was united in marriage with Mary C. Barnes, daughter of 
Colonel H. B. Barnes, of Middle Creek township.  Mrs. Minder is the mother of 
four children, namely: John B., who graduated from the Central State Normal 
School at Lock Haven, Pa., in 1896, and is now a teacher in Westmoreland County 
schools; Hattie B., a teacher in Somerset County; and Sadie E. and Charles O., 
who are living at home with their parents.
  Mr. Minder ha rendered his share of service to the community, having ably 
filled the office of School Director twenty years and that of Assessor two 
terms.  In politics he acts with the Republican party.  He is a member and 
trustee of the Baptist church at Turkey Foot.