Minor was born in Holton, Jackson County, Kansas, on 1 February 1902.[1] He received a degree from Georgetown University in 1927 and started his career as a diplomat.
Minor served as the vice consul in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, in 1932. He was named as a consul to Jerusalem, Palestine, in 1936 which he held until 1938.[2] Next he became a consul in Iran in 1940.[2] He was appointed envoy to Lebanon on September 19, 1951, and remained in office until October 15, 1952, when he was promoted to ambassador to Lebanon.[3] He was the first ambassador of the United States of America to the country.[4][5] His tenure ended on August 10, 1953.[3][6]
Following the end of his diplomatic service Minor served as a member of the government relations department of the Arabian American Oil Company, precursor of the Saudi Aramco.[7] He was elected as the director of the American Friends of the Middle East in April 1955.[7]
Minor was married and had three children, a daughter and two sons.[2] He died of heart attack on January 26, 1984.[2]