HARRY E. MINTY (1942-48) #57As part of #KCParks125, we are featuring all 104 Park Board Commissioners in order of their service.Harry Evans Minty (1869-1955) was born in Michigan. His father, Robert Horatio George Minty, was a notable cavalry commander in the Union Army. Along with significant contributions in several battles, Colonel, later Commander, Minty’s regiment captured Confederate President Jefferson Davis in Georgia after the War, although Commander Minty was not present at the time.Harry Minty moved to Minneapolis, Minnesota and worked at a bank. Coming to Kansas City around 1900 he went into the insurance business. Harry Minty married Lavinia Tough in 1912. They had one daughter, Harriet. Along with his insurance business, Mr. Minty was involved with several organizations such as the Chamber of Commerce, the Knife and Fork Club, the Kansas City Country Club. He was on the Board of the Provident Association for a number of years, which raised funds for charity. He was also involved with the Citizens Association, a non-partisan political organization promoting open and honest government and broad participation in the political process. In 1942 Mayor John Gage appointed Mr. Minty to the Park Board. He became President of the Board in September 1944 upon the resignation of John Moore. Mr. Minty was reappointed to the Park Board as President by incoming Mayor William Kemp in 1946. Mr. Kemp later called Mr. Minty “…one of the most unselfish citizens from the standpoint of what was good for Kansas City that I have ever known.” [KC Star Aug. 8, 1955] Mr. Minty indicated his desire to resign from the Park Board in December 1947 but continued to serve on the Board as President until July 1948 at the request of the Mayor. When he left the Park Board the Kansas City Star commended Mr. Minty in handling Park Department business and keeping party politics out of the department.Mr. Minty continued working in the insurance business until his health declined. He died in 1955 at age 86. His wife Lavinia died in 1946.In 1965 Mr. Minty’s daughter Harriet Minty Russell donated a drinking fountain to the Kansas City Zoo in honor of her father.