Kinsley, Jason W. 1833 - 1903

KINSLEY

Posted By: Reid R. Johnson (email)
Date: 10/17/2016 at 10:07:45

Elkader Register, Thur., 22 Oct. 1903.

Jason W. Kinsley was born in Fletcher, Franklin county, Vermont, Oct. 25th, 1833. Had he lived thirteen days longer he would have lived the allotted time - seventy years. He had lived so near that age that he was anxious to see the seventieth birthday, yet expressed fears of not doing so to his friends.

He received a common school education at the home of his youth. When in his 22nd year, in the winter of 1855, he came west locating in Clayton county, Iowa, where until the breaking out of the war of 1861-5 he taught school, rendering an acceptable service to educational interests. In July of 1861 he enlisted in the 1st Iowa Cav Co. K, Robert L. Freeman's company, Fritz Henry Warren Colonel, a regiment numbering 1200 stalwart Iowans. This regiment's service was mostly in Missouri, Arkansas, Tennessee, Mississippi, Louisiana and Texas. The regiment was mustered out on March 15th, 1866 a continuous service of four years and six months. While in Texas the regiment was for a time under command of General George Custer. There are several of Mr. Kinsley's surviving comrades, who served with him, residing in this vicinity and all attest to the fact that he was a faithful, brave, determined soldier. He did his duty and did it well. He also had four brothers enlisted in the army. On his return from the war he again took up the vocation of teaching and for several years taught in the district schools of this county. His health failing he gave up teaching and since has made his home alternately at Monona and McGregor.

His early educational training made him a continuous seeker after knowledge, hence all through his life, in whatever capacity he was engaged, he kept posted on current events, and was ever in search of the deep hidden treasures of the literary world and with care sought to solve the most difficult problems. He was devoted to educational theories and practices and was the friend and advocate of educational interests.

He was a member of the McGregor Lodge A.F. & A.M., and a member of Hervey Dix Post G.A.R., of McGregor. In his character there were many noble and generous traits. He loved children - many a child has been made happy by a neat useful blackboard made and presented by him to them. He also made many an aged person a present of a cane, which he bent and prepared himself. He had a kind heart and sought to do good to others. One has said, "Kind hearts are more than coronets." Nothing is more certain. He had his own peculiar ways, and yet a man gifted with a store house of knowledge - he lived in a sphere of his own. He was a devoted student, a successful teacher, and honorable soldier and comrade, a quiet sturdy citizen. His passing to the eternal camp of the grand army will be sincerely regretted.

He leaves four brothers and one sister in New England, and one brother, Guy Kinsley, of McGregor.

Note: In a second column of this same paper and date is noted:

Jason Kinsley died at Monona Monday. The funeral was held Wednesday at the M.E. church. Burial at Pleasant Ridge cemetery. Kinsley was one of our country's defenders in the war of '61-65, served over four years in Co. K, 1st Iowa Cav. Has been suffering all these years by reason of that service, which caused his death.