California Biographies Transcribed by Peggy Hooper This file is part of the California Genealogy & History Archives http://www.rootsweb.ancestry.com/~cagha/index.htm Source: History of the state of California and biographical record of the San Joaquin Valley, California. An historical story of the state's marvelous growth from its earliest settlement to the present time. Prof. James Miller Guinn , A. M. The Chapman Publishing Co., Chicago 1905 Notes: Missing Page: 865-866,983-984,1175-1176 JAMES LOONEY MINER. A prominent citizen of Tulare county, James Looney Miner is widely esteemed both for his business ability and the sterling traits of character which have distinguished his residence in this section. A native of Gallatin (now Saline) county, Ill., he was born October 16, 1835. His father, Daniel Looney Miner, was a native of Tennessee, from which state he served in the war of 1812. He became a pioneer farmer of Illinois, his death occurring in Saline county, at eighty-four years of age. In young manhood he married Polly Bays, a native of Virginia, who was reared in Tennessee. She made her home with her son, James L., until her death, which occurred at the age of eighty years. Of the twelve children born of this union one son and two daughters came to California, of whom two are now living. The tenth child in order of birth, James Looney Miner was reared on the paternal farm in Saline county, receiving his education in the subscription schools in his home neighborhood. When not quite twenty years of age, on March 3, 1855, he married and started in farming pur- suits in Saline county. Responding to the need for men during the Civil war, he enlisted August 2, 1861, in Company E, Third Illinois Cavalry, and was mustered out September 5, 1864, after a service of three years, one month and three days. After enlistment the first move of the regiment was to start to Benton Barracks from Springfield, thence to St. Charles after three days, then to Jefferson City, Mo., and on to Springfield. They returned to Rolla, Mo., in October, and the following February went back to Springfield, Mo., thence to Cross Hollow or Elkhorn Tavern, where Pea Ridge fight occurred March 6, 7 and 8, 1862. They then ram- bled in many directions, making cavalry dashes throughout the south that lay west of the Mis- sissippi river, finally reaching Helena, Ark. Thence his company was sent to St. Louis as bodyguard of General Carr, then first colonel, and there they remained during the winter of 1862 and '63. Going to Vicksburg in February they took part in the siege of that place, after its capitulation going to New Orleans, and then to Burwicks Bay, out on a scout, during which Mr. Miner's horse was shot under him, being struck in the flank, behind the shoulders and in the head. As his horse fell Mr. Miner sprang from him and was immediately taken prisoner and compelled to ride a mule forty-five miles before he was given anything to eat. He re- mained under guard sixty-six days before he was exchanged, when he returned at once to his regi- ment and again entered into active warfare. He found the regiment at Port Hudson, where they remained until being sent to Memphis, Tenn., thence to Springfield, III, where they were mus- tered out of service. Mr. Miner returned to civic life as a farmer in Illinois, continuing in that location until 1867, when he decided to come to California, making the trip via the Isthmus of Panama to San Fran- cisco. He first located near Bloomfield, Sonoma county, remaining there for one year, when he went to Yolo county, near Woodland. October 10, 1869. he came to Tulare county, locating five miles west of Portersville with his family. In the fall of 1871 he purchased his present prop- erty, where he has since made his home with the exception of the years 1890 and '91, which he spent on his homestead, southwest quarter of section 32, township 24, range 28, the same being still in his possession. He now owns one hundred and fifty-seven acres of the original pur- chase along the Tule river, which is under irrigation from the Hubbs & Miner Ditch. He also owns the west half of the southwest quarter of section 28, township 21, range 27, less four acres, and the west half of the northwest quarter of section 33, township 21, range 27, less nineteen acres. He also owns mountain timber in this county, as follows : the south half and the northeast quarter of the southeast quarter of section 7, township 21, range 31 ; the south half of the northwest quarter of section 8, township 21, range 31 ; the northeast quarter of the south- east quarter of section 8, township 21, range 31 ; and the northeast quarter of the southeast quar- ter of section 18, township 21, range 31, two hundred and eight acres in all. Mr. Miner has been married twice, his first wife being Christian Elizabeth Smith, of Ken- tucky, who died in Saline county, Ill. She was the mother of four children, namely: John As- bury, whose farm adjoins that of his father; Phoebe Elizabeth, the wife of William H. Hens- ley, of Los Gatos ; William David, who died young; and Mary Jane, the wife of J. X. Siwczynski, a farmer near Portersville. In Saline county Mr. Miner married Mary Elvira Oglesby, a native of Illinois, and they are the parents of four children : James Willis, engaged in fanning with his father; Hiram Robert, a farmer in this vicinity ; George Alfred, at home ; and Larrender Margaret, the wife of D. K. Wallace. Fraternally Mr. Miner was made a Mason in Saline county, Ill., then joined the Portersville Lodge, No. 303, from which he is demitted. Mrs. Miner is a member of the Order of the Eastern Star. Politically Mr. Miner is a Jef- fersonian Democrat.