My Genealogy Hound

W. P. KINYON is a prominent farmer of Liberty township, Woodson County. His life has been a busy and useful one and now he is living somewhat retired from the more arduous duties of the farm, which have been assumed by his son, Mr. Kinyon being thus relieved of the harder work incident to agricultural life. He is a native of Bradford County, Pennsylvania, born June 3, 1831, and is a son of Pardon and Sallie (Eggleston) Kinyon, both of whom were natives of the Empire state. The father was a farmer by occupation and when a young man removed to Pennsylvania, where he named on agricultural pursuits until his death which occurred in 1856, when he was fifty-five years of age. His widow survived him for nearly half a century and passed away in Kansas when almost ninety years of age. They had four children, but only two are now living — W. P. and Mrs. Nancy Warner.

No event of special importance occurred to vary the routine of farm life for W. P. Kinyon in his youth. He attended the common schools near his home and in the summer aided in the work of plowing, planting and harvesting. He was married in 1857 and then began farming on his own account, being thus engaged until after the outbreak of the Civil war, when feeling that his duty was to the Union, he enlisted in the fall of 1861, being assigned to the Tenth New York cavalry with which he went to the front to protect the Stars and Stripes, the emblem of the undivided nation. He was only permitted to remain in the south for nine months, ill health compelling his discharge.

Mr. Kinyon then returned to his home and family and in the fall of 1864 removed to Minnesota, where he purchased a small farm, making his home thereon until 1879 — the year of his arrival in Kansas. Settling in Linn County he there rented a farm which he operated for two years when he came to Woodson County and purchased one hundred and twenty acres on Duck creek, twelve miles north of Yates Center, where he has made one of the most desirable homes in the township. His farm in every department indicates neatness, thrift and careful supervision. Among its leading features is a nice residence, a good barn and fine orchard on the bank of the creek. He has a beautiful lawn of blue grass and in every particular the farm is modern and indicates the supervision of a progressive owner.

On the 26th of February, 1857, in Pennsylvania, Mr. Kinyon married Miss Lydia M. Wheeler, a native of Tioga County, that state, and a daughter of Moses and Cynthia (Walker) Wheeler. Her father was born September 10, 1810, and died on the 1st of July, 1887, at the age of seventy-seven years, while his wife, whose birth occurred in 1812, was called to her final rest in 1880, at the age of sixty-eight years. They were the parents of six children, of whom four are yet living: Mrs. Julia S. Potts, Mrs. Lydia M. Kinyon, Mrs. Lottie M. Lawrence and Mrs. Laura Oberhotzer. Those deceased are Mrs. Jane Curtis and Mr. Morris Wheeler. The marriage of Mr. and Mrs. Kinyon has resulted in the birth of five children, of whom three survive: Clarence M., who is living on a farm near his father; Edmund G., who is an editor and until recently was part owner of the Woodson County Advocate and Wilbur M., who is mentioned later on. Frank E. died in Minnesota and Merton A. passed away in Oklahoma. Such in brief is the history of W. P. Kinyon — a man whom to know is to respect and honor for his life has ever been actuated by honorable principles and worthy motives.

Wilbur M. Kinyon, the youngest son was born in Minnesota, November 8, 1874, and came to Kansas with his parents in 1879. He was then a small boy and was therefore reared and educated in Woodson County. He has always lived with his father and mother and renders them filial care and devotion which adds much to the happiness of the evening of life for them. He has taken charge of the home farm, thus relieving his father of responsibility and labor, and in addition he owns and operates eighty acres of land which adjoins the old homestead. He is engaged in stock-raising, handling all of the stock which the farms will support, and in this venture is meeting with gratifying success.

Wilbur M. Kinyon was united in marriage to Miss Mary E. Etter, a native of the Sunflower state and a daughter of J. E. and Mary B. Etter, both residents of Woodson County. They are well known young
people of the community and have many warm friends in the county, the hospitality of many of the best homes being extended to them. Mr. Kinyon is a young man of excellent business ability and executive force and his labors are being attended with prosperity.