REV. JAMES FRANK MINTUN, of the Latter Day Saints Church at Magnolia, is a native of Harrison County, Iowa, born July 9, 1855. He remained on the farm with his father, working summers and attending school winters, until seventeen years of age, when he engaged at school teaching, following it for eight years, after which he clerked in a general store at Magnolia, for J. M. Harvey. In November, 1881, he engaged in the missionary work in Nebraska, and remained at that for three years, traveling over the counties of Burt, Washington, Dodge, Sarpy, Saunders, Douglas, Cass, Madison, Dawes and Hamilton. At the end of that time he was appointed a Missionary, where he remained until the 20th of December, 1885, and then returned to Magnolia, where he engaged in the general mercantile business in partnership with A. M. Fyrando, and was appointed Postmaster January 21, 1886, receiving his commission, bearing date April 20, 1880, Mr. Fryando being his deputy. He held the Post-office until June 30, 1890, which time he resigned his office. He sold out his general store, April 6, 1889, but continued to deal in stationery and general notions, until August 1, 1890.

Old Mr. Fyrando requested Mr. Mintun, just before his death, to act as his administrator, which request he carried out, completing the work in December, 1890. In June, 1886, he received his commission to serve as Notary Public, in connection with his other business, including insurance. He was selected Secretary of the Magnolia Old Settlers' Association, August 25, 1888, and has held that position ever since, except the year 1887. He untied with the Latter Day Saints Church July 22, 1877; was ordained an Elder in 1878, and in September, 1879, was ordained one of the Seventies, and is such at this time. Since December, 1890, he has labored in Northwestern Iowa.

He was united in marriage at Magnolia, April 1, 1877, to Miss Mary E. Knight, and they are the parents of three children, born as follows: Ruth I., March 19, 1886; Alice E., June 29, 1889, and Guy, F., in June, 1891.

Mrs. Mintun was born in Lucas County, Iowa, February 9, 1859, and came to Harrison County, with her parents, in June 1869, settling in Raglan Township, where she remained until the date of her marriage. She united with the Latter Day Saints Church, July 22, 1877.

Mrs. Mintun's father, Allen W. Knight, was born in South Carolina in 1824, and came to Iowa when a young man. He married Mary H. Jenkins, January 1, 1850, and they were the parents of six children: Anna, Irene, John H., Edwin O., Mary E., and James W. Mr. Knight enlisted in Company H, first Iowa Cavalry, in 1861, and died at Little Rock, Ark., in 1863. He was a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church at the time of his death. His wife was born in Monroe County, Ind., September 11, 1822, and in 1844, accompanied her parents to Jefferson County, Iowa, and from there to Lucas County, and from there in 1869 to Harrison County. She now makes her home with her daughter Mrs. Mintun.

Our subject is a member of he Masonic order at Magnolia, belonging to Lodge No. 126, and is also a member of the Ancient Order of United Workmen.

source of biographical sketch: "History of Harrison County, Iowa", 1891, pages 664 - 665

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REV. JAMES FRANK MINTUN

This gentleman holds a high position in the councils of the reorganized church of the Latter Day Saints in the middle west and is a well-known native of Harrison county, where he was born in 1855.

At the age of seventeen years, James F. Mintun left his father's farm and commenced school teaching, following this vocation for eight years, after which he served as an obliging clerk for J. M. Harvey at Magnolia, this county. In November 1881, he engaged in missionary work for the Nebraska division of the church of his choice. He continued in this field until 1885, in which year he returned to Magnolia and engaged in mercantile business with A. M. Fyrando and the next year was appointed postmaster at Magnolia, Mr. Fyrando being his deputy. This position he held until 1890, when he resigned. In 1889 he sold his interest in the store and was appointed administrator of the estate of the senior Fyrando, and was also appointed a notary public. In 1888 he was chosen secretary of the old settler's association of Harrison county and held that office many years.

In 1877 Mr. Mintun united with the church of the Latter Day Saints and was made an elder the following year and in September, 1879, was ordained one of the Seventyin his church. He has been a power for good in this church throughout Northwest Iowa for a long term of years. He is a member of the Masonic fraternity as well as the Ancient Order of United Workmen.

source of biographical sketch: "History of Harrison County, Iowa: its people, industries and institutions, with biographical sketches of representative citizens and genealogical records of many of the old families", 1915, pages 673 - 674