Henry Clay Miner, a summer resident of Red Bank, died at New York last Thursday of apoplexy, aged 58 years. He lived only four minutes after he was stricken. A short time before he was stricken he remarked to his wife that he never felt better in his life.

Mr. Miner started life as a drug clerk. The management of a medical lecturer’s tour gave him a taste for theatrical life and he went on the road as advance agent for traveling companies. When he was 25 years old Mr. Miner got a place on the Brooklyn police force, but he soon gave this up and started in the theatrical business. He had $800 when he started to build the London theater at New York. He broke ground and there the enterprise rested until a capitalist became interested and helped him. The first year the theater was running Mr. Miner cleared $28,000. With this he bought out the man who helped him build the theater and never afterward had a partner. Afterward he built other theaters and in 1896 these enterprises and companies on the road netted him over $200,000 a season. Of late years his theatrical interests have been conducted by his son, E. D. Miner. Besides his theatrical ventures he had stock in railroad and other enterprises that brought him an immense amount of wealth. His fortune is estimated at $3,000,000.

In 1878 Mr. Miner entered politics and became the Tammany leader of his assembly district. He built at his own expense the Comanche clubhouse and in 1894 he was elected to congress.

Mr. Miner was twice married. He leaves four grown up sons by his first wife and an infant son by his second wife, who survives him.

By his will his estate is divided into six equal parts. One part goes to his wife and one part goes to each of his five children.

For a number of years Mr. Miner has spent his summers at Red Bank. He was interested in St. James’s club of Red Bank and was a liberal contribtor to all the interests of St. James’s parish. Last summer he painted and decorated the church at a cost of $2,500. Rev. James A. Reynolds assisted in the funeral service at New York on Saturday.

Source: Red Bank Register, Wednesday, Feb 28, 1900