Lincoln County Cemeteries One Cemetery's Story
Lincoln Sentinel-Republican,
8 January 1959
"Marker For Last Resting Place Of Charles G. Minnick Is Received"
The headstone marker to be erected at the last resting place of Charles G. Minnick, a veteran of the War of 1912, who is buried in an unmarked grave west of Lincoln, has been received from the Army Quartermaster in Massachusetts, but according to Alvin Lewick Jr., who will be in charge of placing the marker. It will be necessary to wait until the frost gets out of the ground before the marker can be put in place.No organized ceremony has been planned here for the dedication of the marker, such as was held at the dedication of the marker for Joshua Simmons, the Civil War veteran. However, contact has been made with the Kansas Daughters of the War of 1812 and several of the distant relatives of Mr. Minnick, and they may wish to plan some observance at the dedication of the marker. …It was hoped to have the two markers here to be placed at the same time, but a delay in receiving the Minnick marker made this impossible. Mr. Minnick was the father-in-law of Mr. Simmons are both found their last resting place in the private burial ground on the small hilltop about seven miles west of Lincoln.There has been some sentiment expressed by interest parties that the private burial plot be set aside and put into some kind of perpetual care and preserved as one of the historical monuments of past events in the county.The primary interest of local folks in securing the marker for the grave of Mr. Minnick, as well as its historical value, is the fact that there are only a few veterans of the War of 1812 to find their last resting place in the entire state of Kansas.
According to a diligent search by the Graves Registry committee of the Kansas Daughters of the War of 1812, only about 25 graves of veterans of the War of 1812 have been located, among them that of Mr. Minnick. The nearest one to Lincoln is that of a veteran by the name of Thomas Jenkins, who is buried near Jewell….
Lincoln Sentinel-Republican,
22 January 1959
"To Supply Marker For Minnick Grave"
A recent letter received from Mrs. Marjorie A. Good of Phillipsburg, chairman for the location of 1812 graves in Kansas for the Kansas Chapter of the U.S. Daughters of 1812 organization, brings the information that her organization has conducted a diligent search into the record of Charles G. Minnick, veteran of the War of 1812, who is buried in an unmarked and neglected grave in a private burial plot west of Lincoln, and that at the state meeting last spring it was voted to supply an official Daughters of 1812 marker for Mr. Minnick’s grace.Mrs. Good says that while the marker has not been received as yet, they are expecting it at any time, and when it is received she is in hopes that it can be set at the same time as the marker local interested parties secured from the War Department …
Lincoln Sentinel-Republican,
2 July 1959
"Minnick Marker Set"
The headstone marker for the grave of Charles G. Minick, the 1812 War veteran who is buried in a private burial plot west of Lincoln, was put in place a week or so ago under the direction of Alvin Lewick Jr. The marker was furnished by the Quartermaster Department of the Army. The marker is alongside the one dedicated some time ago for the Civil War veteran, Joshua Simmons, who is buried in the same private burial plot. The Kansas chapter of the Daughters of the War of 1812 had planned to take part in the placing of the Minnick marker but representatives of the organization were unable to come to Lincoln. However, they have a small marker which they plan to set beside the larger one.
Lincoln Sentinel-Republican,
17 September 1959
"Old Soldiers Graves Given Recognition"
The project that has been underway here for the past several years to provide suitable markers for two old soldiers, Joshua Simmons, veteran of the Civil War, and Charles G. Minnick, veteran of the War of 1812, who are buried in neglected graves west of Lincoln, culminated last Saturday when a meeting of the Kansas Society of the Daughters of the War of 1812 was held in Lincoln for the purpose of placing one of their markers at the Minnick grave.A meeting of the board of directors of the Society was held at the Post Rock Saturday morning where they attended to business of the Society. About 12 members of the Society were present, including Mrs. Jerry Riseley, president, of Stockton; Mrs. W.F. Hughes, also of Stockton, state corresponding secretary, and Mrs. Dan Houghton, Newton, state recording secretary; Mrs. Robert Good of Phillipsburg, graves registry chairman, and Mrs. Dan Hopson of Phillipsburg, past president.Following the board meeting a wonderful luncheon was held in the Post Rock dining room. Arhtur J. Stanley gave an address of welcome from the Lincoln Chamber of Commerce. Mrs. Risely responded to the welcome expressing her deep appreciation for the wonderful cooperation of the service organizations and civil bodies and the people of Lincoln for their assistance in holding with the program.Following the luncheon a pilgrimage was made to the private burial plot west of town where appropriate services were held, particpated in by members of the Veterans of Foreign Wars, the American Legion and the Woman’s Relief Corps.The ritual services of the American Legion and the VFW was conducted, including the repeating of the pledge of allegiance to the flag, in which the large audience joined.Arthur J. Stanley gave an inspiring and patriotic address which met with high approval of the large audience present of his impassioned respects to all soldiers who had served their country throughout all its wars. Mrs. Robert Good of Phillispburg gave an account of the objectives as well as the history of the Daughters of the War of 1812 since its organization and some of the work it has planned for the future.Final services of the day was [sic] the unveiling of the Minnick marker by Mrs. Jessie M. Anson of McPherson, a granddaughter of the old veteran, and the playing of the taps by Skip Jordan....The life history of Mr. Minnick is quite an interesting one. He joined the army when a lad of 14 years, and served as a musician, and particpated in the action in defense of Baltimore, Md., with the First Maryland Artillery.Following his discharge from the Army he came to Kansas and made his home at Ellsworth for a time. During his residence at Ellsworth tragedy struck his family in the death of his son-in-law, Joshua Simmons, a Civl War veteran, who was drowned in the Saline river and when the remains were recovered they were buried in a grave on a knoll west of Lincoln.Following the passing of Mr. Simmons, Mr. Minnick came here to make his home with his daughter, where he passed away on March 5, 1889, at the age of 90 years and 10 months, and his remains were laid to rest in the burial plot beside Mr. Simmons....
Through the efforts of John Mathena of the Kansas Veterans Commission, suitable headstones were received from the Quartermaster Department of the Army, and they have been put in place at the graves of the old soldiers. The one for Joshua Simmons was dedicated some time ago with appropriate ceremonies conducted by the WRC, VFW and the AmericAn Legion.
Kansas History