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David J. Minto
Portrait and Biographical Album
Lake County, Illinois, 1891

DAVID J. MINTO is the manager of an excellent farm of two hundred acres situated on section 21, Antioch Township. His life occupation has been general farming and stock-raising and in that pursuit he has shown marked ability which places him among the well-to-do citizens of the community. He was born in Ontario, N. Y., October 22, 1841, and is a son of David and Jane (Johnson) Minto, both of whom were natives of Annan, Dumfriesshire Scotland, the former born in April, 1804, and the latter in 1813. They were married in 1835, and began their domestic life in their native land, but after five years they sailed to America in 1840, locating in New York where for three years he followed farming and surveying, which occupation he had learned in the old country. In 1843, accompanied by his family, he came to Illinois by way of the Lakes and entered land on section 21, Antioch Township, where his son, our subject, now resides. He secured one hundred and twenty acres of land and engaged in farming but was permitted to enjoy his new home only about five years, his death occurring in 1848. Mrs. Minto is still living and resides with her son on the old farm. She belongs to the Congregational Church of which her husband was also a member.

In politics Mr. Minto was a stanch Whig and was a valued citizen of the community, worthy of the esteem of all. In the family were five children, four sons and one daughter-John who is engaged in farming in California; William who has for thirty years resided in San Francisco, Cal., where he follows farming and surveying; Robert, an extensive cattle raiser, residing in Surprise Valley, Cal.; David J. of this sketch, and Janet S. who became the wife of Chase Webb and died in Waukegan.

Our subject was not yet two years old when brought by his parents to Illinois, and upon the new farm he grew to manhood remaining under the parental roof until he entered the army. In August, 1862, a short time before he had attained his majority, he responded to his country's call for troops and enlisted in the Ninety-Sixth Illinois Infantry. He was assigned to Company C, of that regiment and served with his command until April, 1863, when he was discharged on account of physical disability, having lost his health through the hardships and exposures of army life. In his return he again resumed charge of the home farm which has been his property ever since 1877, and which gives evidence of the thrift and carefulmanagement of the owner.

In Antioch Township, in May, 1869, Mr. Minto was united in marriage with Miss Susie D. Smith, daughter of George E. Smith one of the pioneer settlers of the county. The lady is a native of Massachusetts, born in Salem, in 1839 and came to this county the same year. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Minto have been born five children- Robert E., Annie B., Ula J., George F. and David H., all of whom were born on the home farm. The entire married life of the parents has been spent on the old home place. They and three of their children are members of the Congregational Church of Millburn. Since casting his first Presidential vote for Lincoln at his second election, Mr. Minto has been a Republican and keeps himself well informed of the issues of the day but is no politician in the sense of office seeking. He is a successful farmer and good citizen and has been identified with the county during his entire life.

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