Born in the State of New York, August 13, 1820, the son of Melitiah and Rhoda (Wright) Kinsman, the former a native of Nova Scotia and the latter of Connecticut. Mr. Kinsman came to Iowa from the State of Pennsylvania in the year 1840, locating in Washington County, and purchasing the land upon which a portion of the town of Brighton, in that county, is situated. In the year 1841, he began the study of medicine, but in the spring of 1842 accepted the appointment of Deputy Sheriff of that county, under Sheriff Stone, retaining the position four years, and during that time residing in the town of Washington. Until its organization Mahaska County was attached to Washington for judicial purposes. At the expiration of the four years last mentioned he accepted the position as Clerk of the Court for Jasper County, Iowa. In the fall of that year, at the general election, he was chosen a member of the first State Legislature of Iowa, from a district embracing the counties of Jasper, Marion and Polk. During this time steps were taken for the removal of the State capital from Iowa City to Des Moines. At the expiration of his term of office, in the year 1847, he came to Oskaloosa, Iowa, engaged in hotel business until 1850. He was elected Sheriff of Mahaska County, holding the position for two years. About this time his health began to fail, and he retired from active business for a period of one year, and until the year 1853, when he began the erection of Union Block in Oskaloosa, finishing it during the same year. In the year 1860, by reason of the death of John H. Shoemaker, then Treasurer of the county, he was appointed to fill the unexpired term of that office, and at the general election in the fall was chosen Treasurer and Recorder of Mahaska County, filling that position until the year 1862. At the expiration of his term of office he moved onto his farm in White Oak Township, this county. Here he remained until the year 1882, when he came to Harrison Township, near Cedar Station. Mr. Kinsman was married in Pennsylvania, April 13, 1844, to Miss Lydia M. Birchard. By this union there were four children. Mr. and Mrs. Kinsman are members of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church. He is a member of the I. O. O. F., and in his political affiliations is a Republican.
If you would like to get the permanent link to a url other than the page you are currently viewing you can paste
a url inside of the destination box and hit regenerate
Print
Permanent Link