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- W. D. Kinser, a farmer on section 2, Taylor township, Appanoose county, has resided in this section of the state for fifty-five years, and therefore the history of its development, progress and improvement is well known to him. He was born in Martin county, Indiana, November 11, 1838, and his ancestry was one noted for industry and honesty. His father, William Kinser, was born in Virginia, and the grandfather, Michael Kinser, was a native of Virginia, and of German descent. Emigrating westward, however, he took up his abode in Lawrence county, Indiana. William Kinser was reared and married in the Old Dominion and with his wife, Catherine, who was born in Kentucky and belonged to an old Virginian family, he went to Illinois in 1846, making the journey by team and wagon. That was the year in which Iowa was admitted to the Union. Mr. Kinser settled in Knox county, Illinois, where he remained for one season, and in 1847 came to Monroe county, Iowa, taking up his abode near the present town of Moravia. Here he secured government land and made his home by developing a wild tract into richly cultivated fields. He voted with the Democracy, being an advocate of the principles set forth by Jackson. His death occurred in Union county, Iowa, when he was eighty-four years of age, and his wife passed away at the age of sixty. She was a member of the Methodist Episcopal church and was loved by all for her kindness of heart. This worthy couple had nine children: Nancy, Tyler and Martha, all deceased; John, George, Malinda, William D., Michael, and Elisha.
William D. Kinser was but nine years of age when the family removed to Monroe county and upon the home farm he spent his youth, no event of special importance occurring to vary the routine of farm life for him during that period. In one of the primitive schools of the locality he obtained his education. The little "temple of learning" was built of logs and had a puncheon floor, while an immense fireplace occupied one entire end of the room. In June, 1863, Mr. Kinser offered his services as a defender of the Union, enlisting in Company F, Eighth Iowa Cavalry, under Captain E. Cummins and Colonel J. B. Dorr. The regiment made a most gallant war record and was with the rough riders of the western army. For a time they were under General McCook's command and did much active service in the field. Mr. Kinser was captured at Newnan, Georgia, on the 30th of July, 1864, and was confined in the rebel prisons at Andersonville and Florence, South Carolina, and at Wilmington. From the last named place he succeeded in making his escape and after walking for three days reached the Union lines. He was then sent to Annapolis, Maryland, by way of St. Louis, Missouri, and was granted a furlough, and before his leave of absence expired the war was ended and he was honorably discharged at Davenport, May 31, 1865. Returning to his home he resumed general farming.
Mr. Kinser was married at the age of nineteen to Nancy J. Sumner, a native of Indiana, and a daughter of James and Orpha Sumner. Samuel Sumner, a brother of Mrs. Kinser, was killed in the Union army during the Civil war, and the Grand Army Post at Moravia was named in his honor. Mrs. Nancy J. Kinser passed away in 1862, and in 1876 Mr. Kinser was again married, his second union being with Mrs. J. M. Williams, who was then the widow of Larkin Williams. She had two children by her first marriage: Mrs. Idie Williams, of Taylor township, Appanoose county; and Rolla, deceased. Mrs. Kinser was born in Ohio, but was educated in Iowa. Her father, Joel Skinner, now deceased, became one of the early settlers of the state, locating here in 1854. His wife, who bore the maiden name of Rachel Chetworth, has also passed away. In their family were seven children, six of whom are yet living: Harper, who was a soldier of the Union army and is now living in Oregon; John; Thomas, of Appanoose county; Joseph, who resides in Utah; Mrs. Matilda Cook, and Mrs. Samantha Carleton, of Texas. The father was a farmer and a minister of the Baptist church and his life was one of irreproachable honesty and uprightness.
Mr. Kinser gives his political support to the Republican party and labors earnestly for its growth and success. When twenty-one years of age he was elected a justice of the peace and served as county supervisor in Monroe county. He was also postmaster of Moravia under President Harrison for four years and in the discharge of his official duties has ever been found prompt and faithful. He belongs to Sumner Post No. 398, G. A. R., and also to the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, and his religious faith is indicated by his membership in the Presbyterian church. His business activity has always been in the line of agriculture, and he owns one hundred and twenty acres of valuable land, two miles from the town of Moravia. Upon this he has a good house and all necessary outbuildings for the shelter of grain and stock, and a glance at his place will indicate to the visitor that the owner is careful, systematic and progressive in his work.
From the book, "Biographical and genealogical history of Appanoose and Monroe counties, Iowa" by Lewis Publishing Co 1903
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West Virginia Pioneers
1838 - 1920 (81 years)
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