My Genealogy Hound

Michael Kinney, who is engaged in the implement business in Creston and enjoys a constantly growing patronage, is numbered among the native sons of Illinois, his birth having occurred in Wilmington, on the 26th of August, 1858. His father, John Kinney, was born in County Roscommon, Ireland, and is now living in Lincoln township, this county, at the age of seventy-eight years. He came from his native land in the early ‘50s and settled on a farm in Will county, Illinois, where he remained until 1877, when he took up his abode on a farm in Adams county, Iowa. There he lived up to the time of the death of his wife, which occurred on the 2d of June, 1907, when she was seventy-six years of age. She, too, was born in County Roscommon, Ireland, and she held membership in the Catholic church. Mr. Kinney is also a communicant of that church and his political allegiance is given to the democracy. Their family numbered seven children, of whom four are yet living: Martin, who is now occupying the old homestead place in Adams county; Charles A., who is foreman for the Des Moines Union Freight Company, of Des Moines, Iowa; Mary, the wife of Charles Shea, a resident farmer of Lincoln township; and Michael, of this review.

In his early boyhood days Michael Kinney was a pupil in the country schools. He engaged in farming until 1883, when he came to Creston, where he turned his attention to the livery business, continuing therein for five years, or until 1888. He then sold out and entered the employ of the McCormick Harvester Machine Company, with which he continued until 1895. He then engaged in the implement business, forming a partnership with W. F. Scott, under the firm style of Scott & Kinney, which connection was continued until the spring of 1901, when Mr. Kinney purchased his partner’s interest and for six years has been alone in business.

In 1885 occurred the marriage of Michael Kinney and Miss Margaret C. McLaughlin, who was born in Madison county, Iowa, in 1864. They have seven children: John, who is now associated with his father in business: Lizzie; Frank, who is engaged in the grocery business in Creston; May; Rose; Teresa; and Paul. The younger members of the family are all at home.

The parents are members of St. Malachy’s church and in that faith have reared their children. Mr. Kinney is a member of the Woodmen of the World and also of the Fraternal Order of Eagles, and his political views endorse the men and measures of the democracy. He has, however, never sought or desired office, preferring to give undivided time and attention to his business affairs which, carefully conducted, have brought him a large measure of success, making him one of the leading merchants of the town.