Minnie M. Burkhart was one of thirteen much beloved children born during the marriage of Coriolanus Domarus "CD" (1821-1881) and Caroline Lavinia (Goff) Burkhart (1835-1892). Minnie's parents had arrived in Oregon with her paternal grandparents (John and Rebecca Baltzell Burkhart) and extended family on Oct 16th, 1847. The Burkharts were one of three founding families of the little, but thriving town of Albany in what would eventually become Linn County, State of Oregon (Statehood arrived in 1859). Young Minnie was born into the new state of Oregon on Dec 20, 1872, but only lived to be 13 years of age, passing from this life on Apr 21st, 1886. I don't know the reason for my little cousin's early demise, only that some of her brothers and sisters also died early in life, although others also lived long lives. Some married and had families while others remained unmarried. Most of the men preferred to farm the fertile Willamette Valley, as did her parents. I do know that, when she died, her family would have mourned her loss greatly and it would have broken their hearts to have to bury their dear young sister and daughter at Riverside Cemetery in Albany, Linn County, Oregon. She was interred with other brothers and sisters and her father, who had died 5 years previously, when she was just 9 years of age. The family plot includes her loving mother and other family members as well. A list of all of her brothers and sisters can be found on both her parents' memorials. Her father was the son of my maternal 3x great grandfather and grandmother, John and Rebecca Ann Margaret (Baltzell) Burkhart. CD's brother, Leander Columbus, was my 2x great grandfather and one of Leander's daughters, Nellie Olivia, was my great grandmother. They all would eventually make their marks on Albany and Oregon history.
Rest In Peace, dear Minnie.