in 1886,[1] Robert went to work at Calumet Harbor, Wisconsin, and paid for his brother, John, to enter medical school.

[1] The Minahan brothers were renowned for their work advancing surgical techniques in the early 20th century, and were specifically mentioned by Dr. William James Mayo in a 1926 address to the national medical society.

Over the past several administrations, gambling equipment had often been confiscated by authorities, but was later returned after a fee had been paid.

Under Mayor Minahan, however, a coordinated roundup was conducted in April 1905 to confiscate all the gambling devices and bring them to city hall.

There, in a public display, Minahan personally smashed all the machines with an axe, then lit the remains on fire.

[2] While Mayor, Minahan was elected President of the Bank of Green Bay and remained for several years.

[14] His youngest brother, Victor Ivan Minahan, was a lawyer and editor of the Green Bay Press-Gazette and the Appleton Post-Crescent.

[15] On December 28, 1880, Robert Minahan married Ellen "Nellie" Mulcahy, who he had met while living in Calumet County.