Minerva W. (Shepherd) Clary (1851 - 1915)

Born 29 Apr 1851 in Menard, Illinois, United States

Ancestors

Wife of Enos Allen Clary — married 12 May 1881 in Menard, Illinois, United States

Descendants

Died 26 Apr 1915 at age 63 in Menard, Illinois, United States

Biography

Minerva's mother died when she was 3 years old and she went to live with her mother's sister, Minerva, who raised her to womanhood. Aunt Minerva's mother was named Sarah.

Sarah was born about 1797 in KY, last name unknown. She married first a Smith probably about 1825 in KY or IN, and had 4 known children: Minerva's mother; Minerva L. born c1823; Mary A., born c1828; and Robert B., born c1826. All children born IN.

Robert married on 9 January 1849, Susan Hodge, born c1828 in OH. Sarah then married William Patterson on 19 March 1840 in Sangamon Co., IL.

Sarah is shown (no William listed) in the 1850 census of Petersburg, Menard Co., IL as age 52, born KY; her daughter, Mary A. Smith is age 22, born IN; son Robert B. is age 24, born IN; and Robert's wife, Susan, age 22, born OH.

Aunt Minerva first married John W. Warnsing on 8 May 1844 in Menard Co., IL. They apparently had no children. She is shown in the 1850 census of Petersburg, Menard Co., IL as age 25, living with John who is age 45, a merchant, born Germany.

She is then shown in the 1860 census of Petersburg as age 37, (with no John listed). Minerva is now living with Aunt Minerva as well as her mother, Sarah Patterson, age 62.

Minerva then married Diedrich Fisher on 4 March 1862 in Menard Co., IL. They are shown in the 1870 census of Petersburg, Diedrich as Dearic Fisher, a carpenter, age 48, born Hanover (Germany); and Minerva is age 48, born IN. There is a Mary Fisher, age 7, born IL and a William Fisher, age 6, born KY. Their relationship is undetermined. Minerva is also living in the household as Minnie Shephard, age 18, born IL. Also a William Smith, age 20, born IL, relationship undetermined. And then Sarah Patterson, age 73, born KY, is also in the household.

In the 1880 census of Petersburg, Dedrich, age 57; Minerva, age 58; Sarah Patterson, age 82; and Minnie Shepherd, age 15, are all living in the household. Minnie is shown as adopted.

Census Records:

Minerva is shown as Manerva in the 1860 census of Petersburg, Menard Co., IL living in the household of her aunt, M. L. (Minerva) Warnsing, age 37, born IN; niece Manerva (Shepherd) is age 9, born IL; and Minerva's mother and Manerva's grandmother, Sarah Patterson, age 63, born KY.

Minerva is shown as Minnie in the 1870 census of Petersburg, Menard Co., IL living in the household of her step-uncle, Dearic (Diedrich) Fisher, a carpenter, age 48, born Hanover; his wife, Minerva, age 48, born IN; Mary Fisher, relationship unknown, age 7, born IL; William Fisher, relationship unknown, age 6, born KY; Minerva's niece, Minnie Shepherd, is age 18, born IL; and Minerva's mother, Sarah Patterson, age 73, born KY.

Minerva is shown as Minnie in the 1880 census of Petersburg, Menard Co., IL living in the household of her step-uncle, Diedrich Fisher, a carpenter, age 57, born Hanover, parents both born Hanover; his wife, Minerva, is age 58, born IN, father born VA and mother born KY; Minerva's mother, Sarah Patterson, is age 82, born KY, father born VA and mother born PA; and Minerva's niece, Minnie Shepherd, is age 29, born IL, father born NJ and mother born IN

Minerva is shown in the 1900 census of Petersburg, Menard Co., IL living in the household of her husband, Enos, a clothing merchant, age 50, born IL, father born KY and mother born IA; his wife, Minerva, is age 49, born IL; father born DE and mother born IN; daughter Ella is age 18; daughter Gertrude is age 17; and son Dedrich is age 13. All children born IL, parents both born IL. Enos and Minerva have been married 19 years. She has had 3 children, all still living.

Minerva is shown as Minnie in the 1910 census of Petersburg, Menard Co., IL living in the household of her husband, Enos, a merchant, age 60, born IL, father born TN and mother born KY; his wife, Minnie, is age 58, born IL; father born NJ and mother born IN; daughter Ella Antle is age 18; daughter Gertrude Fisher is age 17; and son Dedrich Tesker is age 13. All children born IL, parents both born IL. Enos and Minerva have been married 29 years. She has ahd 3 children, all still living.

Minerva is buried in the Rose Hill Cemetery, Petersburg, Menard Co., IL.

Sources

• 'Clary Genealogy' by Ralph Shearer Rowland and Star Wilson Rowland - 1980. Census records. Find-a-grave Illinois Marriage records.