MUSCATINE COUNTY IOWA REGISTER OF OLD SETTLERS BOOK ONE

Source: REGISTER OF OLD SETTLERS , BOOK One, page 422
submitted by Jo Ann Carlson, November 10, 2007

GEORGE M. KINSLEY

The earthly pilgrimage of George M. Kinsley, for more than a half century a resident of Muscatine, terminated yesterday afternoon at 5 o’clock, when he quietly breathed his last. Mr. Kinsley was in his 84th year and was a typical specimen of the pioneer resident. He enjoyed his wanted good health up to last July when he suffered two strokes of paralysis in close succession, and ever since had been a confirmed invalid, never leaving the house except when wheeled about in his invalid’s chair. On Wednesday last he suffered another paralytic stroke which left him in a comatose condition, with only an occasional conscious intervals up to the moment he expired.

He first saw the light of day in Philadelphia, Pa., on October 16th, 1811, and when about thirty years of age came to the great undeveloped west, first locating in Hannibal, Mo., where he remained four years and the moved to Muscatine (then Bloomington), in 1842, and here spent the remainder of his long and useful life. For many years he followed his trade of brick mason and assisted in the building of many structures which marked the gradual growth of the village of Bloomington into the prosperous city of Muscatine of to-day.

He had passed the allotted period of three score and ten before he laid aside the trowel, and being of an industrious nature followed the vocation of teamster for about five years, or until entering upon his eightieth year, when he retired to spend his declining days in retirement. Mr. Kinsley came of a family noted for longevity. His elder brother, Charles, reached the age of ninety, when he passed away in Philadelphia about five years ago, and another, Joseph, died subsequently at the same place at an advanced age, while a younger brother, John, who survives, is past four score and a resident of the Quaker city.

The deceased was thrice married and the father of nineteen children, of whom nine survive, being the issue of his last marriage. The only child by his first wife died in infancy and those of the second, Mrs. Philip Vanatta and Mrs. Thos. Bartlett, are now deceased. December 9th, 1849, he was united in marriage to Miss Ann Smith, who with nine children mourn his death, they being Samuel, Louis, Joseph, Mrs. Owen Smith, Mrs. W.B. Stewart, Mrs. Louis Chaudoin, Mrs. John Hunt, Mrs. Thos. Smith and Mrs. L. Dulgar, all of whom are residents of this city excepting Samuel and Mrs. Dulgar, who live in Fruitland township.

Mr. Kinsley was a quiet, inoffensive citizen of good habits and commendable traits of character and a practical Christian, being a member of the M.E. church. The funeral is appointed to take place Sunday afternoon at 2 o’clock from the residence, 901 Second street, Musserville.

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