Johann Nikolaus was born in Csatád, Torontál, Hungary which, in 1926, was renamed Lenauheim and has been a part of Timis county, Romania since 1917. He was the fourth child of twelve born to Dominik Minnich and Katharine Feldman. Johann married his first wife, Magdalena Enderle, at Csatád in May 1897. The couple emigrated to the United States, along with Johann's brother Peter and his family, arriving at the port of Baltimore, Maryland, 30 May 1903 destined for Cincinnati, Ohio. Prior to their emigration, Magdalena bore Johann two children, both born in Csatád; Nikolaus, born 8 August 1897, died 30 November 1899 and daughter Magdalena, born 20 January 1901, died 9 July 1917 in Csatád. It is not known why the daughter did not accompany her parents when they emigrated to the U. S. Johann's wife Magdalena died in Cincinnati, Ohio 1 July 1904. This could be one of the reasons for his return to Csatád, along with the fact he still had a daughter there. Johann married his second wife, A