The Indianapolis Star (Indianapolis, Indiana)
24 February 1910, Thursday, page 15

Will Halt In Honor of Mayor's Mother
Official City Business to Stop During Funeral of Mrs. Minerva Shank Tomorrow.
DEATH ENDS YEAR'S ILLNESS
Had Been Resident of Indianapolis Fifty-Five Years and Was 74 Years Old

City offices will be closed tomorrow afternoon on account of the death of Mrs Minerva Shank, mother of Mayor Shank, who died at her home, 1931 Belle-fontaine street yesterday morning, following an illness of nearly a year. The mayor was not at his office all day yesterday and the office doors were draped with black. The office will not be opened until Saturday morning. During the afternoon Luman K Babcok, private secretary to the mayor, issued letters to all the heads of departments and board members notifying them formally of the death of the mayor's mother and suggesting that they close their departments Friday afternoon.

Arrangements are being made among most of the board members to attend the funeral tomorrow afternoon, and nearly all of the boards probably will send floral tributes to the home. The funeral will be held at the Broadway M. E. Church at 2 o'clock. They mayor has asked Mr. Babcock, Detective Coffin and his stenographer, his immediate office force, to act as three of the pallbearers.

Had Been Ill Since March
Mrs. Shank, who was more than 74 years old, had been ill since last March, when she was seized with an attack of grip and bronchitis. This illness was followed by a stroke of paralysis, which made helpless the left side of her body. Mrs. Shank was characterized with remarkable endurance during her illness and her attending physician, Dr. Ira E. Dunlavy, attributes her long survival to an exceptionally strong constitution.

Mrs. Shank has been a resident of Indianapolis about fifty-five years. She was the daughter of William and Christina Zornes, pioneers of Rush County. Mrs. Shank was born in Rush County, near Arlington, a village about ten miles northwest of Rushville, Sept 13, 1835. She received her education in the rural schools of Rush County, going to school only three months of the year.

When 20 years old she came to Indianapolis and soon after was married to Lytle H. Hall, July 14, 1853. Six children were born, three of whom survive. In 1862 she was married to Samuel Lewis Shank, Sr., two children being born to her, Samuel Lewis Jr. and Carlin H. Shank. Mr. Shank died in April, 1900, and since that time Mrs. Shank had retained the family home. It will be remembered by older residents of Indianapolis and vicinity that Samuel Lewis Shank Sr. once operated a tavern on the old National road, near Pleasant Run.

Lived Forty Years in Neighborhood
Since first coming to Indianapolis in its early days, Mrs. Shank continued her residence here until the time of her death. For almost forty years she had been a resident of the neighborhood in which she died, first living on Broadway, then Ashland avenue and later on Belle-fontaine street, the late residence.

She was a member of the Broadway M. E. Church and was active in church work until the beginning of her last illness. IN her home she was equally active. Her unceasing activity is best illustrated by her anxiety to be busy during the last year of her life. Not able to be about, she conceived the idea of making four quilts for her four granddaughters. She piled her needle and nearly completed the work before her death.

Mrs. Shank is survived by five children: Mayor Shank, Carlin H. Shank, William A. Hall, Charles N. Hall and Mrs. William Hagedon, all of this city.