Fred W. Minninger ( 1900-1958)
Free Cigarettes for Soldiers Home On Furlough
As a special courtesy to soldiers home on furlough, Fred Minninger, on behalf of American Legion Post 101, is handing out free cigarettes to all the boys who smoke."Although this doesn't represent much of a gift to each boy in the service," said Mr. Minninger, "it nevertheless shows we are not forgetting the boys in World War II.."
A copy of a newspaper article, hand-identified as being from a May 12, 1956, Tribune, was found in a scrapbook owned by Town Historian Richard Schmal:
INDIANA G.O.P. NAMES HEADS IN LAKE COUNTY
Fred Mininger* of Lowell, a haberdasher, was elected Republican chairman of Lake County, Ind., at the county convention in Crown Point yesterday. He succeeds Dr. Philip Rosenbloom of Gary, who announced he was withdrawing for the sake of harmony. Harold Johnson, Gary councilman who was the early favorite, failed to get support from Hammond and swung his support to Mininger.Mininger indicated that he would name Fred Ferrini of East Chicago as district chairman, to succeed Vernon Anderson of Hammond. Mrs. Marie Miller of Gary is expected to be reappointed district chairwoman.
Griffith Rees of Gary was elected to a third term as Democratic county chairman. New Democratic officers named are Treasurer Michael Truchan of Gary to fill a vacancy, and Secretary Fred Carter of East Chicago, to succeed Edward [Doc] James of Gary, who was nominated state representative at last Tuesday's primary.
* NOTE -- Mr. Minninger's last name is spelled incorrectly throughout this article.
A copy of a portion of an unidentified newspaper article was found in a scrapbook owned by Town Historian Richard Schmal:
Minninger An Esteemed Lowell Businessman
Fred Minninger, 57, a lifelong resident of Lowell, has long been active in Republican Party affairs. He has been a nominee for third district commissioner on three occasions. At present he is on the state payroll as an oil inspector.Minninger is a highly respected and successful Lowell businessman. He has operated Minninger's Men's Store here for 30 years. He is a member of the Lowell Lions Club, helped organize the Commercial Club of Lowell, is a past officer and diligent worker in the American Legion, Colfax Masonic Lodge and Lowell Methodist church.
A copy of the following newspaper article, hand-dated Oct. 11, 1956, was found in a scrapbook owned by Town Historian Richard Schmal:
In Coma After Car Hits Truck
Crash Occurs on Ind. 55, Near U.S. 30; Plasma Administered
Lake County Republican Chairman Fred W. Minninger remained in a coma this morning after being critically hurt when his auto rammed the rear of a semi-trailer Wednesday afternoon.The 56-year-old Lowell haberdasher suffered a crushed chest and possible head injury in the crash on Ind. 55 near U.S. 30.
He was reportedly bleeding internally, and doctors were administering plasma in an effort to save his life.
His wife, Vera, has been at his bedside in Methodist Hospital, Gary, since the smashup shortly at 3 p.m. They reside at 209 S. Commercial St., Lowell.
MINNINGER was pinned in his demolished 1956 auto upon the impact which spun the car around. His unconscious body was removed about 10 minutes after a tow truck was called to the scene to pry a car door open, according to sheriff's deputies.
Deputy Sam Venturella, who investigated the accident with Deputies Dan Meanovich and Don Peters, said the truck and car were headed north on Ind. 55, when the crash occurred about 200 feet south of U.S. 30.
The truck driver, William H. Doring, 26, of 101 N. Guyer St., Hobart, told deputies he was stopped in a line of traffic for a red light at the intersection and had just started forward when the light turned green. He was unhurt. Minninger was alone in the car. Both of his shoes were knocked off. Deputies said they had not learned how fast the auto was traveling.
FRIENDS said the GOP leader, named to the post last spring during reorganization of the Lake County Republican Central Committee, had been in Crown Point earlier in the afternoon, conferring with Mrs. Iva Benson, member of the Lake County Board of Registration and 1st District Republican vice chairlady. He reportedly was enroute to the party's headquarters in Gary.
Minninger and 1st District Chairman Fred Ferrini currently have been engaged in a stepped-up campaign in preparation for the Nov. 6 election, now less than four weeks away.
Minninger succeeded Dr. Philip Rosenbloom of Gary, and Ferrini replaced former Hammond Mayor Vernon C. Anderson in the district post.
A copy of the following unidentified newspaper article was found in a scrapbook owned by Town Historian Richard Schmal:
Fred Minninger Seriously Injured In Auto Accident Yesterday
Fred Minninger was seriously injured at 3:30 yesterday afternoon, October 10, when his car slid under a semi-truck stopped for a red light on Route 55 at U.S. 30.The impact of the crash caused the large Riddle truck to slide into the intersection and the car rolled over into the ditch.
Paul Cleaver of Lake Dale, enroute home from work, helped pry the car door off and evacuate Fred. He was rushed to Gary Methodist Hospital, where it was determined that he was injured internally in the upper chest and suffered a concussion. Although the extent of his injuries is still undetermined, he is expected to recover satisfactorily.
Fred, an esteemed Lowell businessman and lifetime resident, was going to the Lake County Republican Central Committee headquarters at Hotel Gary. He is the GOP county chairman.
Copies of the following unidentified newspaper articles were found in a scrapbook owned by Town Historian Richard Schmal:
Fred Minninger Critically Hurt In Auto Crash
Report Tonight Says GOP County Chairman "Resting Comfortably"
Although he is still listed as critical, Fred Minninger, 56, Lowell haberdasher and Lake County Republican chairman is conscious and resting comfortably tonight (Thursday), according to [a] report from Gary Methodist hospital. He was taken there in Linton's ambulance Wednesday afternoon after he had sustained serious injuries when his automobile rammed into the rear of a semi-tractor trailer at 3:30 on Route 55, 200 feet south of Highway 30.He is under care for chest, multiple rib, and head injuries, and reports during the day said blood plasmas was being administered because of internal bleeding.
Driver of the truck was William H. Doring, 36, of 101 North Guyer Street, Hobart. He was uninjured.
Both vehicles were going north, according to Deputies Sam Venturella, Dan Meanovich, and Don Peters, who investigated the accident. Doring told them he was stopped in a line of traffic for a red light at the intersection and had just started forward on the green light when his truck was hit from the rear by Minninger's car.
Riding alone, Minninger was pinned in his completely wrecked car until a tow truck, arriving soon after the crash, pulled it from under the trailer.
Minninger's wife, Vera, has been at his bedside since Wednesday afternoon. Their home in Lowell is at 209 West Commercial. Both Mr. and Mrs. Minninger are well known and liked here and local concern is shared by friends over the county. He was named to the chairmanship of the county GOP organization last spring.
This article was hand-identified as being from the Oct. 25, 1956, Tribune:
Fred Minninger Released From Hospital
Fred Minninger was released from Gary Methodist hospital yesterday and is making satisfactory progress in his recovery from critical injuries sustained in a car accident Oct. 10.The news of Fred's return home has been eagerly anticipated by his host of friends. Undisturbed rest, however, is still being maintained to assure his complete recovery.
The following June 19, 1958, Lowell Tribune article was found in the Lowell Public Library local history files (LH--Vital Statistics, vol. 5, page 65):
Region Mourns Death of Frew W. Minninger, 57
The Lowell community will long mourn the loss of one of its most prominent and esteemed citizens, Fred W. Minninger, 57, who died last Thursday night, June 12, at St. Luke's Presbyterian hospital in Chicago. He had suffered a heart attack on May 25 and was hospitalized at Our Lady of Mercy in Dyer and apparently was recovering until complications set in and he was moved to Chicago June 8. His wife and daughter never left his bedside.Fred bought recognition to Lowell through his interests in state and county Republican affairs. He was named Lake Co. Republican chairman in the spring of 1956, succeeding Dr. P. Rosenbloom of Gary. Fred announced last September at a dinner meeting honoring Gov. Harold Handley that he would not seek a third term as GOP leader because of his health. He had been seriously injured in an auto accident which occurred during the election campaign in October of 1956. For several years he served as a state oil inspector under an appointment by former Gov. George N. Craig. Fred also won the GOP nomination as candidate for third district county commissioner in the 1940's.
Fred was born in Lowell August 17, 1900, the son of Nicholas and Catherine (Buckley) Minninger. His parents and five brothers, Otto, Johnie, Bernard, Leonard and Edward, all preceded him in death.
Fred was graduated from Lowell high school with the class of 1918 and enlisted in World War I. He worked in Lowell stores, and more than 30 years ago he opened Minninger's Store for Men.
Fred married Miss Vera Smith of Lowell on Christmas Day, 1922, and they have one daughter, Sue, an airline hostess with United Airlines.
He was a member of the First Methodist church, American Legion Post 101, Colfax Masonic Lodge 378, the Hammond Shrine and Royal Order of Jesters, the Lowell Chamber of Commerce and Lions club.
Memorial services were conducted at 2 p.m. Monday, June 16, in the Eskridge Funeral home with Rev. Claude J. Eaton, pastor of the First Methodist church, and Rev. O.R. Foster, pastor of the Lake Dalecarlia Community church, officiating. Interment was made in the Lowell cemetery with Legionaires assisting in graveside rites.
In their bereavement, Mrs. Minninger and Sue are extended the sympathy of the entire community.
Go to Fred W. Minninger, "Pioneer History Index," for further information.
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