Walter Fredrek Minard
in the U.S., Social Security Applications and Claims Index, 1936-2007
Name: Walter Fredrek Minard
Gender: Male
Race: White
Birth Date: 22 Feb 1870
Birth Place: On Farm, Iowa
Father: James P Minard
Mother: Susan C Spence
Type of Claim: Original SSN.
Notes: Dec 1937: Name listed as WALTER FREDREK MINARD

Death: MINARD, Walter Frederic 'Happy'
Author: Don Stowell Date: 26 Mar 2005 2:54 PM GMT
Surnames: Dickerson,
Classification: Death
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Happy Minard Laid To Rest

Walter Frederic Minard, known as "Happy" to his scores of friends, died Friday, January, 11 at the age of 81, at his home, Red Hill, near Cantil.
"Happy" Minard came to Mojave 25 years ago on Thanksgiving Day, 1926. He lived here with his wife, Bessie, and sons, Bruce and Bill, until five years ago when he moved to Red Hill, 20 miles north of Mojave.
During his many years here he owned and operated the Adobe Cabins which were situated at J and Panamint Streets until 1946 when they were removed.
"Happy" Minard's nickname" was a descriptive one according to his friends. They say he was never, even through his long illness, anything but happy. Also often mentioned among his friends was his integrity and honesty. It was these attributes that endeared him to all he came in contact with.
"Happy's" history sounds much like an adventure story. He was born in Pleasant Grove, Iowa, on February 22, 1870, and orphaned at an early age. When still quite a young lad, he journeyed to Texas where he became a cowboy. A few years later, he answered the "call of the Mississippi" and went to work on a river boat. It was there he earned his river pilot's license. A number of years later he went back to Texas as a river guard on the Rio Grande near EI Paso. Again, he ventured farther west, to Arizona where he worked as a forest ranger until he came to Mojave.
Few men could claim' a more varied and adventurous life or have the storehouse of memories that undoubtedly helped to keep "Happy Minard" a happy man. In addition to his wife, Bessie and sons, Bruce and Bill, he is survived by another son, Ed Dickerson, of Yuma, Arizona.
Funeral services were held on Monday at 2:00 p.m. at the O’Donnell Funeral Home Chapel with Constable George Hodges officiating, fulfilling a promise he made to Mrs. Minard many years ago. Mrs. Rachel Hodges was the vocalist. Interment was in Mojave cemetery.

Posted by East Kern Genealogical Society
Courtesy of Mojave Desert News
California City, Kern, CA
Published: 17 Jan 1952

1930 Census, California, Kern, Township 11, Mojave, I Street;

Walter F. Minard
Head of Household
wife Eliabeth
Rents his home.
Age 60.
Can read and write.
Parents born in France.
Occupation listed as cook in a restaurant.

World War I Draft Registration Cards, 1917-1918 Record
about Walter Fredrick Minard
Name: Walter Fredrick Minard
City: Not Stated
County: Gila
State: Arizona
Birth Date: 22 Feb 1876
Race: White
Roll: 1522641
Occupation listed as Forest Ranger with the U.S. Forestry Dept.
Wife: Bess
Tall, slender build, dark gray eyes, dark brown hair, slightly bald.

1880 United States Federal Census

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Name Walter F. Minard
Age 4
Birth Year abt 1876
Birthplace Iowa
Home in 1880 Orono, Muscatine, Iowa
Race White
Gender Male
Relation to Head of House Son
Marital Status Single
Father's Name James P Minard
Father's Birthplace Illinois
Mother's Name Susan Minard
Mother's Birthplace Iowa
Household Members
Name Age
James P Minard 32
Susan Minard 32
Robert P. Minard 8
L. B. Minard 6
Walter F. Minard 4
Susan C. Snelson 60

1900 United States Federal Census

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Name Walter F Minard
Age 24
Birth Date Feb 1876
Birthplace Iowa
Home in 1900 Richwoods, Peoria, Illinois
Race White
Gender Male
Relation to Head of House Head
Marital Status Single
Father's Birthplace Iowa
Mother's Birthplace Iowa

1920 United States Federal Census

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Name W F Minard
Age 49
Birth Year abt 1871
Birthplace Iowa
Home in 1920 Los Angeles Assembly District 64, Los Angeles, California
Street South Figueroa Street
House Number 332
Race White
Gender Male
Relation to Head of House Head
Marital Status Married
Spouse's Name Bess Minard
Father's Birthplace France
Mother's Birthplace France
Able to Speak English Yes
Occupation Bookkeeper
Industry Transfer Co
Employment Field Wage or Salary
Home Owned or Rented Rent
Attended School No
Able to read Yes
Able to Write Yes
Household Members
Name Age
W F Minard 49
Bess Minard 47
Bruce K Minard 17
William S Minard

1930 United States Federal Census

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Name Walter F Minard
Age in 1930 60
Birth Year abt 1870
Gender Male
Race White
Birthplace Iowa
Marital Status Married
Relation to Head of House Head
Home in 1930 Township 11, Kern, California
Street Address J Street
Dwelling Number 178
Family Number 178
Home Owned or Rented Rented
Home Value 4.50
Radio Set No
Lives on Farm No
Age at First Marriage 25
Attended School No
Able to Read and Write Yes
Father's Birthplace France
Mother's Birthplace France
Able to Speak English Yes
Occupation Cook
Industry Restaurant
Class of Worker Wage or salary worker
Employment No
Household Members
Name Age
Walter F Minard 60
Elizabeth Minard 58
William S Minard 25

1940 United States Federal Census

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Name Walter F Minard
Age 70
Estimated Birth Year abt 1870
Gender Male
Race White
Birthplace Iowa
Marital Status Married
Relation to Head of House Head
Home in 1940 Kern, California
Street J Street
Farm No
Inferred Residence in 1935 Sh, Kern, California
Residence in 1935 Same House
Sheet Number 8B
Number of Household in Order of Visitation 204
House Owned or Rented Rented
Value of Home or Monthly Rental if Rented 5
Attended School or College No
Highest Grade Completed Elementary school, 6th grade
Weeks Worked in 1939 0
Income 0
Income Other Sources Yes
Household Members
Name Age
Walter F Minard 70
Bess Minard 68