My Genealogy Hound

CURTIS L. KINNEY, one of Cortland’s most enterprising citizens, and president of the Cortland Forging Co., was born at McGrawville, this county, August 7, 1852. He is a son of Col. Curtis L. Kinney, Sr., and a grandson of Eleazer Kinney, who at an early date came to Cortland from New England in the family of his father, James Kinney. James Kinney had been a soldier in the Revolutionary War, and at its close determined to find a home for himself and family in the wilds of the newly won country. He took up and cleared an extensive tract of land in the town of Homer, this county, and there busied himself in the manifold and arduous duties of a pioneer farmer all the remaining years of his life. Eleazer Kinney followed in the footsteps of his father, being reared on the home farm, where he, too, lived out an honorable and useful life. He served in the War of 1812.

Col. Curtis L. Kinney decided, when it came time for choosing, upon a mercantile career for himself, so he located at McGrawville, and was there in business for forty-two consecutive years. His place of business was the site that is now occupied by Maricle & Johnson. He was not only a successful man in all that term implies, but he became one of the most prominent and respected men of his section. He had time to devote to many matters of public moment. Joining the state militia, he was commissioned a colonel, a title that clung to him all his life thereafter. He served for a long time as supervisor, his nomination always being the signal for a rousing majority. He was first a Whig and later a Republican in politics, and in the councils of those parties he was always a valued adviser. Mr. Kinney had two brothers who attained more than ordinary prominence. One was Milton A. Kinney, who owned and edited the first newspaper printed in Skaneateles; it was called the Observer, and was successfully managed by him for over thirty years. The other brother, James Kinney, was also a newspaper man. He was until his death the editor of the leading daily of Syracuse, the Daily Star. This was the first daily ever issued in Syracuse, N. Y. This paper subsequently changed its name, and is now published under the title of Syracuse Daily Standard. Col. Kinney was joined in marriage with Carmelia Salisbury, a daughter of Benjamin Salisbury, one of Cortland’s pioneer founders. Their children were as follows: Rienzi, deceased; Edwin C.; Harriet N., deceased; Mason S., deceased; James, deceased; Curtis L., our subject; Elmer, deceased; and Sarah, now living in Cortland. Edwin C. Kinney is now a commercial traveler, and makes his home in Cortland. He served through the war of the Rebellion with distinction, being a member of Co. K, 157th Reg. N. Y. Vol. Inf. He was taken prisoner at Chancellorsville, and incarcerated in Libby Prison, but was afterwards exchanged. He was honorably discharged in 1865. Edwin C. Kinney’s wife was Miss Sarah Johnson, daughter of Nathan Johnson. Mason S. Kinney served from 1864 to the close of the war in the same company as his brother; he is now deceased. Col. Curtis L. Kinney, father of these sons, died at McGrawville, the scene of his life’s work, at the age of seventy-four years. His wife, the mother of our subject, attained sixty-nine years.

Curtis L. Kinney, Jr., received his education at the Cortland Academy and the Normal School. He then entered the Cortland Wagon Co.’s Works, where he was for five years assistant time-keeper. It was there he gained a great deal of knowledge as to manufacturing methods, which qualified him to assume the management of the Cortland Top and Rail Co.’s manufacturing establishment, where he remained another five years as manager and treasurer. In 1890 he formed a company known as the Cortland Forging Co., which consisted of Mr. D. F. Wallace, president, himself vice-president and general manager, and J. Hub. Wallace as secretary and treasurer. They bought two and one-half acres of James Jenman, and thereon erected a large plant for the manufacture of bow sockets and carriage top supplies. Besides these lines, they manufactured a large line of specialties and fittings. This fine plant was wiped out of existence by fire April 7, 1896. Not at all disheartened by the heavy loss, Mr. Kinney at once interested C. M. Stone and C. E. Titchener of Binghamton, who with our subject bought out the Messrs. Wallace’s interests. The three gentlemen in the month of June, 1896, began to rebuild the plant. On August 1st of the same year active business was begun in the new establishment. Their plant is a model in its way. The main building is of brick, 340x40 feet on the ground; to this add an engine and power house, also of brick, 30x60x48, an office 20x30, and a stock room 24x60. They use an engine of 150 horse power. The plant is lighted by electricity, furnished by three dynamos, which have enough additional capacity to do the electric welding. This factory has one of the three largest japanning rooms in the state. Over 150 skilled workmen find employment in this enterprise, and the output commands the best markets, not only in this country, but also abroad. Every piece of forged metal, which this company put out, is made up from not only the best of selected stock, but it is shaped by men who know their business, and goes through the closest kind of scrutiny before being shipped to the consumer. Mr. Kinney is the practical man in charge, and he well knows how to get and then hold customers by furnishing them with just what they want.

Mr. Kinney took for his wife Mittie Alger, a daughter of Wesley Alger of Cortland. Two children have been born to them: Maude A. and Wesley A. Though a very busy man, Mr. Kinney enjoys social and fraternal relations of the most desirable kind. He is a Mason of high rank, and a member of many local organizations. As a citizen he is progressive and public-spirited. In the business world he is everywhere known as a man of indomitable spirit, extreme integrity, and correct methods. He has met with misfortune and recovered from it without a scar. The growing and important interests he directs are the result of a master-hand and a master-mind. They are of the utmost value, not only to the people of Cortland, but to the manufacturing world as well. Mr. Kinney is recognized as the moving spirit of it all, and is accordingly esteemed and respected.