Biography

"Col. Minard was born in New York city. April 20. 1806,. being a son of Hon. Isaac Minard a member of the Legislature in 1826-7, and was educated at Columbia College, of which he was one of the oldest graduates at the time of his death. After completing his studies he was admitted to the bar of New York by Judge Savage in 1828. On the marriage of his sister. Mrs. S. W. Baldwin. he came to this village in 1833 and lived here until 1840, having married Miss Elizabeth S. Wallace, daughter of Major James S. Wallace, in the year of his coming, Legal duties ealled him to Syracuse, and he served as surrogate of the county, holding that office by appointment of Governor Seward from June. 1840. to February, 1844. and then by election from June 1, 1847- to January 1852. At a later day. from 1863 t o 1867. he held a position in the Custom House at New York. He was much interested in military matters, and in 1842 organized the Syracuse Citizen's Corps, a noted company, and one of the best drilled in the state. He was for a while colonel of the 51st Regiment, N. G. In character and person he was a tine type of the citizen soldier, both popular and efficient. Politically Col. Minard was a Whig in his earlier days, and always retained a strong interest in public affairs, though with a thorough distaste for political tricks. Indeed, his high sense of honor was a marked feature of his character, as became a gentleman of the old school. Three children now survive him: Charles E. Minard of Albany, Mrs. G. A. Bigelow and Mrs. J. M. Scoville. of this village."