William Edward Minahan (1867 - 1912)

Born 20 Apr 1867 in Chilton, Calumet County, Wisconsin, United States

Ancestors

Husband of Lillian May (Thorpe) Minahan — married 3 Feb 1903 in Arkansas City, Cowley, Kansas, United States

Died 15 Apr 1912 at age 44 in Atlantic Ocean, Titanic

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Biography

Faith in the nobility of man is renewed when such heroic figures as Dr. William Edward Minahan meet death calmly, quietly and without fear, a man who had himself so often staid the hand of death as it reached out to others. His character was as clear as the sunlight. No man came to know him but appreciated him at his true worth, recognizing the fact that he not only cherished a high ideal of duty but lived up to it. He constantly labored for the right and in the avenue of his profession devoted a large portion of his time to the service of others. He was not an idle sentimentalist but a worker and, recognizing the field in which he might render efficient aid to his fellowmen, he labored therein. A man of high professional attainments and of high character, his loss is felt wherever he was known and most of all where he was best known. ~ Maurice McKenna^[1]

Birth and Early Life

William Edward Minahan was born on April 20, 1867 in Chilton, Calumet County, Wisconsin to William B. and Mary Shaughnessy Minahan.^[2][3] William B Minahan had immigrated from Ireland with his parents when he was twelve years old.^[4] Mary Shaughnessy also immigrated from Ireland with her parents, when she was about thirteen years old.^[5]

On the 1870 US Census, William is found living with his parents in Chilton, Wisconsin with several of his siblings. He was three years old.^[6]

William is also found on the 1880 US Federal Census with his parents and several of his siblings. The family lived in Chilton, Calumet County, Wisconsin, and William was enrolled in school.^[7]

William B. Minahan was a highly educated man and in addition to farming, he worked as a instructor as well as a superintendent of schools. Due to his intellect, his children were given every educational advantage he could offer them, and many of his sons grew to be doctors, including young William.^[8] William graduated from high school in Chilton, Wisconsin.^[9]He briefly studied in the normal school at Oshkosh, during which time he worked for the Chilton Times as a printer. He considered following in his father's footsteps to become a teacher, but decided to pursue medical training instead. William attended Rush Medical College of Chicago and graduated in 1891 with high honors. ^[10]

First Marriage and Daughter

On August 2, 1893, Dr. Minahan married Mary Elizabeth "Martha" Dignin at Holy Trinity Church in Jericho, Wisconsin, United States.^[11]

Dr. Minahan and Mary had one daughter, Maude Olive Minahan, who was born on October 15, 1894.^[12]

Dr. Minahan and Mary divorced.^[13]

Physician in Fond du Lac

In 1899, Dr. Minahan set up his practice in Fond du Lac, Wisconsin. He cared highly for each of patients, regardless if they could pay him his fee. He did a lot of charity practice and saved many lives with his skills as a specialized surgeon. As specialized as he was, he continued his education by researching as much as he could about medical science, utilizing that knowledge to further serve his patients. He also maintained memberships to county and state medical societies, in which he heard about advanced methods and work in his field. His primary focus was to his home and his duties as a physician.^[14]

An example of his work has been written about by the great-grandson of Tillie Waller, who on March 31, 1906, was in the throes of a difficult labor. The family doctor left her side to inform her husband, Frank, that she would not survive the delivery. Unwilling to accept the news, Frank rushed to Dr. Minahan's office and begged him to intervene. At 9:30 AM, the baby girl was born, and Tillie's life was saved.^[15]

Second Marriage

After moving to Fond du Lac, Dr. Minahan met Lillian M. Thorpe Lawrence, at the home of some friends. Mrs. Lawrence's husband had recently passed away in Kansas, and she had traveled to Wisconsin to visit some relatives.^[16]

They were married on February 3, 1903, in Arkansas City, Kansas, United States.^[17] After their marriage, the couple settled in Fond du Lac, where Dr. Minahan continued to practice medicine.^[18]

On the 1910 US Federal Census, Dr. Minahan appears with his wife, Lilian Minahan, her sister, Dorothy Thorp, and his chauffeur, Robert Kitzman. They are living in Fond du lac, Wisconsin. He is listed as a physician with a family practice.^[19]

Titanic

On January 5, 1912, Dr. Minahan applied for a US Passport. It was approved three days later. According to the passport application, he was 5'10 1/2" tall, had blue eyes and grey hair. He planned to sail from New York on January 20 on the German passenger liner, the S.S. Berlin. He planned to be abroad for approximately six months.^[20]

Dr. Minahan, his wife, Lilian, and his sister Daisy, all traveled abroad for an extensive tour to Europe, Asia, and North Africa.^[21] They were able to visit several family friends, as well as some extended family in Ireland. Their trip was shortened, when Daisy suffered appendicitis.^[22]

On April 11, 1912, Dr. Minahan, Lillian, and Daisy boarded the Titanic at Queenstown as first class passengers under Ticket No. 19928, which cost them £90). They occupied cabin C-78.

On the night of the sinking, both Lillian and Daisy were saved on Lifeboat 14. Dr. Minahan's final words to them were, "Be Brave."^[23]

Death, Recovery, and Burial

Dr. William Edward Minahan passed away on April 15, 1912 in the Titanic disaster.

Unlike many other bodies lost that night, his was found and recovered by the Mackay-Bennett. His body was numerated: #230.

The Mackay-Bennett's notes about the body were as follows:

• No. 230. - Male, - Estimated Age, 60. - Hair, Grey.
• Clothing - Black suit and overcoat.
• Effects - Pocketbook; papers; gold watch, "Dr. W. E. Minahan"; keys; knife; fountain pen; clinical thermometer; memo book; tie pin; diamond ring; gold cuff link; nickel watch; comb; check book; American Express; $380; 1 collar button £16 10s. in gold; 14 shillings; nail clipper.
• First Class Passenger.
• Name - Dr. W. E. Minahan.

On May 2, 1912, his body was sent to V.J. Minahan, who resided in Green Bay. It is assumed that V.J. was his brother, Victor. ^[24]

He was buried at Woodlawn Cemetery, Allouez, Brown County, Wisconsin, USA.^[25]

Legacy

Throughout his lifetime, Dr. Minahan touched a lot of lives, and he was sorely missed and remembered in Fond du Lac, Wisconsin. Many believed that he met his death with a calm, selfless bravery that mirrored much of the rest of his life.

After his death, one of the local newspapers wrote: Those who knew him best are confident that even if Dr. Minahan had been given the opportunity to escape in the lifeboats from the Titanic he would have preferred to remain on the liner himself rather than take the place of some one else who might be saved. It is easy to picture him walking about among the frenzied people who were facing their doom as the giant liner sank lower and lower, striving to give the same aid and comfort that characterized his work here. The loss caused by his demise is one which cannot be estimated, for during his many years of residence here his worth to the community was far greater than the monetary returns he received for the service his efficiency as a physician and surgeon enabled him to give. There are hundreds of homes in this vicinity where he has brought comfort and relief to sufferers without any thought on his part of financial gain.^[26]

Even to this day, he is remembered by the descendants of the community of those lives he saved.

Sources

1. ↑ [Maurice McKenna, Fond Du Lac County, Wisconsin, Past and Present, Volume II] Biographies of members of the community, including Dr. Minahan
2. ↑ [Wisconsin Birth Index] William E Minaghan, Birth: 20 Apr 1867 in Calumet, Wisconsin
3. ↑ [Wisconsin Births and Christenings] William Edward Mary Minaghan, Male, Birth: 20 Apr 1867, Birthplace: Calumet Co., Wisconsin, White, Father's Name: William Minaghan, Mother's Name: Mary Shaghnasey
4. ↑ [US Find a Grave Index] William B Minahan (1933-1906)
5. ↑ [US Find a Grave Index] Mary Shaughnessy Minahan (1839-1902)
6. ↑ [1870 US Census] William Minaghan, Wisconsin, United States, Male, Age: 3, White, Est. birth year: 1866-1867, Birthplace: Wisconsin
7. ↑ [1880 US Federal Census] William E Minaghan, Chilton, Calumet, Wisconsin, United States, Male, Age: 13, Single, White, Occupation: School, Est. birth year: 1867, Birthplace: Wisconsin, United States, Father's Birthplace: Ireland, Mother's Birthplace: Ireland
8. ↑ [Maurice McKenna, Fond Du Lac County, Wisconsin, Past and Present, Volume II] Biographies of members of the community, including Dr. Minahan
9. ↑ [Brown County Historic Sites] Historic Site information about William MInahan
10. ↑ [Maurice McKenna, Fond Du Lac County, Wisconsin, Past and Present, Volume II] Biographies of members of the community, including Dr. Minahan
11. ↑ [Wisconsin County Marriages] William E. Minahan, Marriage Date: 02 Aug 1893, Place: Holy Trinity Church, Jericho, Wisconsin, United States, Male, White, Birthplace: Chilton, Wis., Father's Name: Wm. B. Minahan, Mother's Name: Mary Shaunessy, Spouse's Name: Mary Dignin, Spouse's Gender: Female, Spouse's Race: White, Spouse's Birthplace: Brothertown, Wis., Spouse's Father's Name: Wm. Dignin, Spouse's Mother's Name: Elizabeth Weigand, Note: Pr Name: Dr.
12. ↑ [US Find a Grave Index] Maude Olive Minahan (1894-1961).
13. ↑ [Brown County Historic Sites] Historic Site information about William MInahan
14. ↑ [Maurice McKenna, Fond Du Lac County, Wisconsin, Past and Present, Volume II] Biographies of members of the community, including Dr. Minahan
15. ↑ [Jack Copet, History is Not Boring, I'll Prove it] Blog post by Jack Copet about great-grandparents
16. ↑ [The Examiner, November 3, 2010] Article detailing Titanic victims of Wisconsin.
17. ↑ [Maurice McKenna, Fond Du Lac County, Wisconsin, Past and Present, Volume II] Biographies of members of the community, including Dr. Minahan
18. ↑ [The Examiner, November 3, 2010] Article detailing Titanic victims of Wisconsin.
19. ↑ [1910 Federal Census] William Minahan, Fond Du lac Ward 10, Fond du Lac, Wisconsin, United States, Male, Age: 42, Married, White, Head of house, Est. Birth Year: 1868, Birthplace: Wisconsin, Father's Birthplace: Ireland, Mother's Birthplace: Ireland
20. ↑ [US Passport Applications] William E Minagan, Application Date: 1912, Place: Wisconsin, United States, Gender: Male, Birth Date: 20 Apr 1867
21. ↑ [Brown County Historic Sites] Historic Site information about William MInahan
22. ↑ [Winfield Daily Courier, April 14, 2012] Article about the Minahans
23. ↑ [Encyclopedia Titanica]
24. ↑ [Encyclopedia Titanica]
25. ↑ [US Find a Grave Index] Dr. William Edward Minahan (1867-1912)
26. ↑ [Maurice McKenna, Fond Du Lac County, Wisconsin, Past and Present, Volume II] Biographies of members of the community, including Dr. Minahan

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