[2] As a young man, Minns was awarded a Franklin Medal, which allowed him to sit in with and learn from city officials at nearby Faneuil Hall.

[3] [better source needed] In 1831, Minns enrolled at Harvard University, however, after an incident that resulted in an explosion in a student dorm as well as frequent absences from class, he was suspended for two years, restarting his education in 1834.

[3] Minns practiced law in Boston for thirteen years, before deciding to move to California in 1854, sailing around Cape Horn aboard the clipper ship Winged Arrow.

Minns was one of several Evening School teachers appointed to the committee, which presented its report to the California State Legislator in January 1862.

However, in its first meeting, the board decided to allow other applicants to apply, and ultimately chose to appoint Evening School teacher Ahira Holmes to the position.

[4][better source needed] In 1869 in Boston, Minns founded the Scientific, Classical, and Commercial School for Boys, although it's unclear how long it remained in operation.

[8] In 1880, again at the insistence of John Swett, Minns returned to California to be the Principal of the Union Grammar School, though this time he led the Girl's section.