My Genealogy Hound

SAMUEL G. KINDER, one of the representative farmers of Johnson County, resides in a substantial brick dwelling, which is located on his well improved and valuable farm. This homestead is on section 18, township 44, range 28, and is one of the best to be found in this section. He has been the architect of his own fortunes and has steadily advanced in prosperity, owing to his indefatigable industry and perseverance.

Peter Kinder, the father of our subject, was born in Kentucky, and on reaching man’s estate conducted a farm and distillery. His wife, formerly Miss Jennie Kane, was summoned to the silent land about 1843, leaving seven children. The father, having lost his property about this time, was in straitened circumstances, and was obliged to rent land for a few years after coming to Johnson County, which journey he made in 1857. Later in life he purchased a small farm in Bates County, and there his death occurred in 1875. His son William served in the Union army for two and a-half years, as did also another son, Smith W.

Samuel G. Kinder is the only survivor of his father’s family. He was born in Wayne County, Ky., in 1837, and was deprived of his mother’s love and care when in his seventh year. When he reached his majority he engaged in working for farmers by the month, and was thus employed until after the war broke out. In the winter of 1862 he enlisted in the First Missouri State Militia and served for a year and a-half in the light artillery. In 1863 he enlisted in Battery L, Second Missouri Artillery, and took part in the battle of Big Blue, near Independence, Mo., and in one on Mine Creek, Kan., besides many other skirmishes. He was neither wounded nor captured, but was sick in the hospital for several weeks, being honorably discharged at Benton Barracks, St. Louis, in November, 1865. He had managed to save a portion of his wages, but after buying a team embarked in farming in this county.

April 7, 1867, Mr. Kinder married Phoebe Wade, a native of this county, born about 1848. Her parents were Henry and Phoebe (Rudd) Wade, the former of whom departed this life in 1872, and the latter when Mrs. Kinder was but four years of age. Prior to his marriage our subject had purchased eighty acres of land in the eastern part of Johnson County, and soon bought sixty acres in Rose Hill Township. After residing there for a short time he sold out and invested in forty acres of land in the same township, cultivating the farm for the succeeding sixteen years. In 1882 he became the owner of a quarter-section of land, a part of his present homestead, which now comprises two hundred and forty acres. He has built a good barn and a substantial brick house on the farm, besides making other valuable improvements.

Of the twelve children born to Mr. and Mrs. Kinder all but one are still living, and all of the number were born in this county. They are as follows: William, born March 9, 1868; George, May 22, 1869; James W., November 9, 1871; Flora N., February 22, 1874; Edward F., January 18, 1876; Charles, June 25, 1879; Luther, May 19, 1881; Ode, September 22, 1884; Alice, July 26, 1887; Thomas C., March 15, 1891; Otto, December 14, 1893; and Samuel, who died when about a month old. George married Effie Delley, on Christmas Day, 1891, and has two children. Flora is the wife of Jerome Wood, whom she married March 11, 1890. They reside in Cass County, Mo., and have two children. In addition to their own large family, Mr. and Mrs. Kinder reared two children until their maturity, Francis M. Corder and Henry Wade. The former is freighting in Washington State, and the latter is farming in Texas.

Mr. and Mrs. Kinder are faithful members of the Baptist Church and possess the esteem and good-will of all who have the pleasure of their acquaintance. Mr. Kinder cast his first Presidential ballot for Lincoln in 1860, and has always adhered to the tenets of the Republican party. He has frequently served as a delegate to conventions and takes interest in the success of his party.