My Genealogy Hound

NATHAN A. P. KINNEY of Homer, Cortland County, is descended from a sturdy New England ancestry, which on the maternal side made an honorable record in the Revolutionary War. He is the youngest son of Allen and Charity (Davis) Kinney, and was born in the town of Scott, this county, November 12, 1829.

Allen Kinney was a native of the State of Connecticut, and came into life in 1790. Prior to his marriage he journeyed, a young man, into Central New York, and located in the town of Homer. He soon, however, changed his home to the town of Scott, and there resided during the most of his life. Mr. Kinney moved back to Homer a short time before his death, which occurred in 1862. He was a gentleman of culture and education, and was one of Cortland County’s early schoolmasters. His main work through life was that of a farmer, and he owned and greatly improved his 200 acre farm in Scott. The privations, which beset the early settlers, he underwent, clearing up his land almost from its virgin state. Mr. Kinney at one time in his life owned and operated a grist mill and woolen factory at Little York in the town of Homer. The Whig party claimed his allegiance until before the Civil War, when he became an influential Republican. In the township he served one term as justice of the peace, but was never ambitious for official place. He was a very active worker in behalf of the Congregational Church, of which he was a life-long member. Mr. Kinney married Charity H. Davis, daughter of Nathan Davis, who with his family came into Tompkins County at the close of the Revolutionary War, and made a home at Groton, where he died. Both Nathan Davis and his father were Revolutionary heroes. The mother of Mrs. Kinney was born in the old Bay State in 1789, and died at Hanover village, Mass., September 1, 1876. She was possessed of a very good education, and taught school for many years in Cortland and Tompkins Counties. Mr. and Mrs. Kinney were the parents of five children, two of whom died in infancy. Those surviving were: Sanford B., now deceased; Freelove B., who died at seven years of age; and Nathan A. P., the subject of this sketch.

The latter went to the common schools first, then attended the Cortland Academy, now Homer Academy, and when he finished his education began clerking in a store, where he remained one year. He went to Scott in 1855, and began farming on the home place, which occupation he continued without cessation for forty years. In 1895, Mr. Kinney came to Homer, where he now lives, and since that time has looked after his farming affairs, and other property interests. His farm in Scott is fertile and well improved, being among the best in a region noted for desirable land. Mr. Kinney is a stockholder in the Homer National Bank, and a stockholder and a director in the First National Bank of Homer. Politically, he favors the Republican party, but has never been desirous of political preferment. He has thrown his talents strictly into the channels for which they were best fitted, and success and prosperity have come as the natural results. To the support of the various churches he has always been a liberal contributor, and he cordially approves of their work in the community.

In his lifetime, Mr. Kinney has been twice married. First, in 1854, to Nancy Babcock, daughter of Justus Babcock, a native of Massachusetts, who moved into the town of Scott. Four children were born to this first union, by name: Emma F.; Jennie A.; Martin L.; and Sanford B. Emma F. was educated at the Homer Academy, and at the Cortland State Normal School, graduating at both places. She taught in this county, and in the State of Iowa for seven years, finally marrying E. N. Breidinger of Iowa. Jennie A. is now a resident of Cortland, while the two sons live in Homer. Mr. Kinney wedded the second time Theresa Babcock, a sister of his first helpmeet, and by her had three children: Byron of Homer; Clara, wife of Thomas Moore of Homer; and May, now a student and living at home.

Mr. Kinney is a very pleasant, affable gentleman, and of shrewd business instincts. He is honest and upright in his own life, and he expects to meet those same qualities in others. His judgment is of the soundest, and he looks more to the real worth of men and of interests, rather than to external appearances.