His paternal great-grandparents were Abraham and Abigail Minis, two of the city's early Jewish settlers.

[1] On October 22, 1851, he married New Orleans native Lavinia "Venie" Florence (1825–1923), who had been living in Philadelphia,[2] and with whom he had five children,[3] two of whom (sons Jacob Florance and Isaac) he went into partnership with.

Nine years later, at the eastern end of the same block, he built another property at 302–304 West St. Julian Street.

[6] Post-war, the Minises summered in Nova Scotia, where they met inventor Alexander Graham Bell.

He has been described Minis as "one of Savannah's leading merchants and a citizen of the highest integrity and social influence.