FRED M. KYNER
One of the most progressive, enterprising and alert
young business men of Humeston is Fred M. Kyner, partner in
the firm controlling the Hyde hardware business and
prominently connected with the general business and mercantile
interests of the city. He
was born in Decatur county, Iowa, August 17, 1887, and is a
son of Charles M. and Victoria (Westfall) Kyner. The father was born
in Warren county, Illinois, January 4, 1857, and came to Wayne
county in 1875, preceding the other members of the family—his
parents and his brothers—by one year. In Iowa he married
Victoria Westfall, who was born in Lucas county, February 27,
1864. She was a
daughter of Granville and Jeanette (Teal) Westfall, who were
among the notable pioneer settlers of Lucas county, having
made their home in this section in 1850. They came overland
from Ohio to Lee county in 1849 and spent one year making
preparations for the establishment of their home upon the
prairie. They
encountered all the hardships and inconveniences of pioneer
life and met them with confidence and courage, gradually
gaining prominence and prosperity. In Lucas county they reared a family of
fourteen children, eight of whom are still living.
Fred M. Kyner grew to manhood in Wayne county and
acquired his education in the public schools, graduating from
the Humeston high school in 1905. For some time afterward he worked upon
his father’s farm, but later became a partner in the Hyde
hardware business in Humeston, which is one of the largest
enterprises of its kind in Wayne county. The company handles
a complete stock of shelf and heavy hardware and all kinds of
farm implements and enjoys a liberal patronage, based on the
high quality of the goods, the reasonable prices and the
straightforward dealing which is the policy of the house. In the expansion of
this business Fred M. Kyner has borne a prominent part,
bending his energies to the promotion of the company’s
interests and achieving that success which always comes to the
progressive, resourceful and farsighted business man. In addition to his
beautiful home in Humeston he, in connection with his mother,
owns five hundred acres of choice land in Wayne county and
about six hundred acres of valuable Texas farming land. He is in addition a
director and stockholder in the Humeston State Bank and since
December, 1912, has been assistant cashier of that
institution; serving with fidelity and ability.
In 1910 Mr. Kyner was united in marriage to Miss
Blanche Hayes, who was born in Milton, Iowa, January 19, 1886,
and who was graduated from the Milton high school in 1904. She is a daughter
of William Wallace and Cynthia Anna (Robey) Hayes, the latter
of whom was born in Indiana and died in Milton, Iowa, May 28,
1912. The father
makes his home in Milton.
In this family were four children: Harry, who lives
near Le Mars, Iowa; Bert E., who lives near Ottumwa; Mrs.
Kyner; and Mrs. Catharine Norman, of Milton.
Mr. Kyner’s fraternal affiliations are with Fidelity
Lodge, No. 228, A. F. & A. M., of Humeston, to which
organization his father also belonged. He has always been
a stanch supporter of the republican party and, while not a
politician in the sense of office seeking, he is yet
progressive and public-spirited in all matters of citizenship. He has always been
interested in municipal affairs, giving his aid and
cooperation to every movement for the general good. Throughout the
period of his residence in Humeston he has enjoyed to the
fullest degree the respect and confidence of his fellow
citizens and his worth as a business man and citizen is widely
recognized.