I have always been fascinated by the story of the Titanic! Last month my husband, Chuck, and I found the grave of William Edward Minahan located in Green Bay, Wisconsin at Woodlawn Cemetery. His captivating story deserves recognition, as does all who have lived. Our fluid lives often take turns on a course that frequently isn’t in our control. Let’s learn about Dr. William Edward Minahan, his wife, Lillian and sister, Daisy, and their journey on the Titanic.

William Edward Minahan’s Life Path

William Edward was one of eleven children born to Limerick, Ireland natives, William B. Minahan and Mary Shaughnessy. William Sr. was a Wisconsin County school superintendent.

William Edward and his two brothers earned their medical degrees as physicians. Dr. John Robert Minahan and Dr. Robert Edward Minahan have been given credit for St. Vincent Hospital in Green Bay, Wisconsin. William’s resounding career as a surgeon was well known in the city Fond Du Lac, Wisconsin.

At 26 years old William married an Oshkosh Normal School classmate, Mary Elizabeth Dignin, on August 2, 1893. They became parents to Maude Olive on October 15 the following year. The couple soon divorced.

A decade later in 1903 William married Lillian Mae Thorpe from Indiana. They had settled in Fond Du Lac where William’s surgical skills were earning him praise.

The Journey On The Titanic

The couple along with William’s sister, Daisy, purchased first class tickets on The RMS Titanic for their return trip following a six month visit to Ireland in 1912. The trio were the only first class passengers to board in Queenstown. Their ticket cost L90 and was numbered 19928. I imagine that Dr. William Edward Minahan, his wife, Lillian and his sister, Daisy, were thrilled to be riding on The Titanic’s maiden voyage aboard this “unsinkable” ship on April 14, 1912.

This vessel was a marvel in engineering and décor!

Daisy reportedly was suffering from appendicitis and the group wanted to return to the United States.

The trio spent the evening in the Café Parisien. They socialized with Major Archibald Butt, the Wideners, the Thayers and Captain Smith. The food was said to be remarkable!

The three were awakened by a woman crying outside their cabin. They dressed and headed down the hallway stumbling over loaves of bread which had fallen to the floor. Heeding the warnings, Daisy and Lillian boarded lifeboat “14.” William’s final words to them were, “Be Brave!”

Lillian and Daisy survived this disaster. The Carpathia had picked up 705 people from lifeboats and brought them to New York on April 18th. Sadly, William was one of the 1,500 people who had perished.

Dr. William Edward Minahan’s Pockets

Dr. William Edward Minahan’s pockets were cascading with personal belongs which made identifying him easier. Besides money he had a checkbook, American Express, an engraved gold watch, “Dr. W.E. Minahan,” a pocket knife, diamond ring, clinical thermometer, keys, fountain pen, gold cuff links, comb and nail clippers.

When William’s family was notified, his brother, Victor, arranged to have William interred at the Woodlawn Cemetery in Green Bay, Wisconsin.

Grave Robbery

Sadly, in 1985 William’s skull was stolen by grave hunters. The police cracked the case and reinterred William’s bones where they belonged.

What Happened To Daisy, Lillian, Mary and Maude?

Ida “Daisy” Manihan, William’s sister, entered a sanitorium less than a month following her rescue. She suffered from “pneumonia and emotional disturbances.” After her release, Daisy moved to Los Angeles, California. Sadly, tuberculosis caused Daisy to succumb at only 40 years old on April 30, 1919.

Lillian, William’s wife, had moved to California, where she married two more times before her death in 1962.

Mary, William’s first wife, had continued living in Wisconsin until her death in 1952.

Maude, William’s daughter, never married. She worked as a school teacher. Maude passed away in 1961 in Green Bay, Wisconsin.

Ponderings

Becoming familiar with personal stories from the Titanic tragedy creates a connection for me. I feel more attuned to these individuals. Every life is valuable. We can learn from others and from history.

As we stride down our individual paths of life, I hope each of us can take time to appreciate the magic around us. My hope is that as our paths intersect we can leave others with a sense of being seen and being valued. I believe listening to others is the key to gaining understanding. Our differences make us unique. Let’s be gracious to others and look for ways to help, making all of our journeys brighter. After all, our time on Earth is finite.

Resources:

Atlas Obscura Article

William Edward Manihan Titanic Encyclopedia Article

Ida “Daisy” Manihan Titanic Encyclopedia Article

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