My Genealogy Hound

HENRY L. KINNE. Among the pioneers and early settlers of Seneca County, Henry L. Kinne was always conspicuous and honored. He was born in the town of Ovid, December 14, 1808, and his father, Elijah, was born in Dutchess County. The latter, who was the first American to locate his family between Seneca and Cayuga Lakes, purchased a large tract of land near Ovid. He kept a hotel, which was noted all through that country for the excellence of its larder and the hospitality of its landlord. Besides this he carried on farming quite extensively, and upon this place that he had opened from a wilderness he died, leaving his large family well provided for. In central New York he was one of the strong and striking figures of the early days. He was twice married. Miss Leak becoming his second wife.

Mr. Kinne, the subject of this sketch, was married. May 24, 1834, to Miss Mary Marsh, and they had a family of six children. Cyrus, now in Newark, N. J., is in the railroad service in that city; Phebe M., who has been a teacher of this town for many years, is very successful in her calling, and is highly appreciated in her own district, where she has taught for six terms; Daniel M., who at the present time has charge of the farm, has been Assessor of the town, and has also served as Road Commissioner; John S. is also a farmer in this town; and Anne E. became the wife of Dr. Deniston, of Ovid, and died in 1876. There was another daughter, but she died in infancy.

Mr. Kinne moved onto this farm in 1829, and carried it on with vigor and success until the day of his death, December 4, 1864. By his thrift and economy he had acquired an estate of over two hundred acres, besides considerable ready money. His wife survives him, and is now in her eighty-sixth year. She was six years old when she was brought to this county, and her memory goes back to the time when it was all a wilderness, and Waterloo and Seneca Falls were insignificant hamlets.