Village History
The Village of Minerva originated when surveyor John Whitacre purchased 123 acres of land from Isaac Craig, in 1818 for the construction of a log mill.
The town, named for Whitacre’s niece, Minerva Ann Taylor, born April 19,1833, who grew up around the log mill.
The community grew & the first schoolhouse was built in 1846. The Sandy & Beaver Canals helped the community’s industry thrive, then later, the Pennsylvania railroad.
In fact, Minerva manufacturers Willard & Isaac Pennock patented the United States’ first steel railroad car in the nineteenth century.
Situated on the historic Lincoln Highway (U.S. 30) the quaint village was part of the first transcontinental highway for automobiles across the United States.
Village of Minerva FUN FACTS
Historic Village of Minerva Potteries
- Owen China Company (1898-1932):
Founded by E.J. Owen, they made semi-porcelain, famous for gold medals at the 1904 World’s Fair, featuring floral designs & metallic glazes. - Cronin China (1936-1956):
Took over the Owen plant, producing colorful, semi-vitreous dinnerware like the popular Zephyr line & specialty items.
Marked with “The Cronin China Co. Minerva, Ohio“.
Charles Erwin Wilson
Charles Erwin Wilson was born on July 18 1890 in Minerva, Ohio, he died on September 26, 1961.
He was an American engineer & businessman.
Most importantly, he served as United States Secretary of Defense from 1953 to 1957 under President Dwight D. Eisenhower.
He was also a former president of General Motors.
William "Bill" Powell
William “Bill” Powell was born on November 22, 1916 & died on December 31, 2009 from a stroke.
He was a graduate from Minerva, Ohio & started the golf team at Minerva High School.
He is in the Minerva Athletic Alumni Hall of Fame.
He played football, basketball & golf.
He started Clearview Golf course in East Canton, Ohio after he returned home from World War II.
Clearview Golf Course was the first designed, built, owned & operated golf course by an African American.
President William McKinley
President William McKinley, the 25th president of the United States of America, was the fifth president to serve from Ohio.
His farm is located on Walker Road off Route 30 between Minerva & Bayard, Ohio.
He visited it often & after he got to the White House is wife took over.
President McKinley was born on January 29, 1843 & was assassinated on September 14, 1901.
He had two kids, Katherine McKinley & Ida McKinley, & a wife named Ida Saxton McKinley.
Oscar Grimes
Oscar Grimes was a Major League Baseball infielder.
He was born on April 14th, 1915 & died May 19, 1993.
He grew up in Minerva.
He first made it into MLB in 1938 (Cleveland Indians).
His last appearance in the MLB was September 25, 1946, with Philadelphia Athletics.
Oscar was an All-Star in 1945.
Willard & Isaac Pennock
Willard & Isaac Pennock were manufacturers from Minerva & made the United States’ first steel railroad car in the nineteenth century.
Willard was a member of the first graduating class from Minerva High School in 1871.
Then later he was involved in the oil production business & more recently had sold sewing machines.
Both brothers were born near Minerva.
Ralph Hodgson
Ralph Hodgson was an English poet who retired quietly to his farm in Minerva.
Ralph was born on September 9, 1871 & passed away November 3, 1962.
He was born in Durham County, Darlington, England.
At the time of his death he was married to his third wife, Lydia Bolliger.
He lived in Minerva the last 20 years of his life & was buried in the Minerva area.
White Buffalo Woman
In the White Buffalo Woman band, are Minerva graduates Evan Rutledge, Adam Murphy, Devin Bezeredi, Alex Leggett & Joe Wales.
These artists started playing together before they formed the group in the basement of Wales’ parents’ funeral home in Minerva.
This band reminds listeners of early Rolling Stones crossed with the Strokes.
