- Dr. Robert E. Minahan, successfully engaged in the practice of medi- cine and surgery since 1898, has ever been actuated by high ideals in his profession and his intelligently directed efforts have brought him far toward realizing these ideals. Constantly studying along broadening lines, he is promoting his usefulness day by day and from the experiences of one year gains inspiration and encouragement for the labors of the succeeding year. He was born in Howard, New York, January 27, 1858, a son of William B. and Mary Minahan. The father was a native of Ireland and was brought to America by his parents in 1840, the family home being established on a farm in the state of New York, where William Minahan remained until i860, when he came to Wisconsin and settled on a farm in Calumet county. He became very prominent in that district, was superintendent of schools for eighteen years and was also a leader in republican ranks. William Min- ahan was a man of conspicuous talents, broad culture and wonderful versatility. He was gifted as a poet and ably wrote on various subjects. For many years he contributed to a local paper, The Newsboys' Appeal, which appeared anonymously each New Year's day year after year. Many wondered who was the author and the source whence these contributions came was not disclosed for a long time. In his later years he collected many of his poems, some of them having been dedicated to members of his family, and published them in connection with family portraits in a memorial booklet. The scope of the subjects he covered was broad, treat- ing on political and other matters, and one of his poems was devoted to the resolute stand which his son, Robert, the subject of this sketch, took as mayor of Green Bay, when he collected and destroyed all of the gamblers' paraphernalia unlawfully used in the city, as is hereafter related. William Minahan died in 1906, at the age of seventy-three years, and his wife passed away in 1902, at the age of sixty-three.
Robert E. Minahan acquired his education in the public schools and afterward entered the State Normal, from which he w r as graduated in 1880. The desire to make the practice of medicine his life work led him to enter Rush Medical College of Chicago, where he completed a course in 1886, winning his degree of M. D. He afterward took up the study of law and was graduated from the law department of the Michigan University in 1894. In the meantime he practiced medicine from 1886 to 1892 at Calumet Harbor, Wisconsin, before his matriculation in the State University of Michigan. After his course there he practiced both law and medicine at Kewaunee from 1895 until 1898. In the latter year he came to Green Bay, where he has since practiced with his brother, Dr. J. R. Minahan. They are specializing in surgical work and have their own rooms in which to perform operations in the St. Vincent Hospital. No other profession perhaps has shown such radical changes and such marked advancement as has the profession of surgery during the past quarter of a century. Opera- tions that prior to that time were regarded as utterly impossible are now performed almost daily. Dr. Minahan, whose name introduces this review possesses the keen sagacity, the steady nerve and the cool hand so neces- sary in successful surgical work and his labors have been attended with a gratifying measure of success. He keeps in touch with the advanced work- that is being done by other members of the profession through his mem- bership in the Fox River Valley, the Brown County and the Wisconsin State Medical Associations.
What he has accomplished in this connection would alone entitle Dr. Minahan to prominent representation among Brown county's leading citi- zens. His- labors, however, in other directions have been equally effective, far- reaching and beneficial. His fellow townsmen, recognizing his worth and his public spirit, called him to the office of mayor of Green Bay in 1904 and he served as the chief executive of the city for four years, during which time his administration was characterized by various needed reforms and improve- ments. He was especially active in putting down gambling in his term of office and, although the lawbreakers threatened to shoot him, he never hesitated in the performance of his duty. The gamblers of the city had long held in contempt the law and many places were being run openly and doing an extensive business. Under former administrations an effort was made to suppress this lawlessness but, although gamblers' devices were taken out of the saloons, they soon found their way back and things were running as before. Dr. Minahan when mayor decided to adopt more heroic measures to put down this social evil. He quietly arranged to have drays ready on a certain morning and to bring from the various places to the city hall grounds every piece of apparatus used for gambling in the city. At this point the gamblers made no resistance, as they felt sure that, as in the past, the machines would soon be returned to them. They cautioned the movers to have a care in handling the highly polished cases, magnificently fashioned and expensive roulette wheels and other apparatus. These were carefully conveyed to the city hall but instead of being put into the basement, as had been done before, they were piled upon the ground in front of the build- ing. When all of the devices had been gathered Dr. Minahan appeared in his shirt sleeves, carrying an axe, with which he began to demolish the gamblers' property. After this work of destruction had been completed
the properly coached janitor appeared upon the scene with a five gallon jug of kerosene oil, which was poured over the debris and the whole was set on fire. A large crowd had gathered and looked on in astonishment, while the gamblers were literally awe-struck and threats of personal vio- lence were flying wild and loose. The strenuous act of the determined mayor, however, won at last in the cause of righteousness and nothing happened, and in that manner was put a stop to open gambling in Green Bay forever. He is a republican, strong and earnest in his support of the party, yet opposing anything like misrule in public office. Fraternally he is connected with the Benevolent Protective Order of Elks.
On the 28th of December, 1880, Dr. Minahan was united in marriage in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, to Miss Nellie Mulcahy, a daughter of Mr. and Mrs. John Mulcahy. Her father is a pioneer farmer of Calumet county. Dr. and Mrs. Minahan have one son, Eben R., a prominent lawyer of Green Bay. They reside at No. 840 South Monroe street and they have a circle of friends almost coextenisve with the circle of their acquaintance. Dr. Minahan's life has been one of continuous activity, in which has been accorded due recognition of labor. While he has won success and promi- nence in his practice, his interests have also been thoroughly identified with those of Brown county and at all times he is ready to lend his aid and cooperation to any movement calculated to benefit this section of the country or advance its wonderful development.
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1858 - 1935 (77 years)
1905 State Census
