Kinney, Michael 1840-1925 & Margaret Allen Family

KINNEY, ALLEN

Posted By: Wilma J. Vande Berg - volunteer (email)
Date: 2/29/2024 at 07:09:17

Kinney, Michael 1840-1925 and Margaret Allen Family

This family story was taken from the Alton St. Mary’s Catholic Church book of 1883-1983, page not numbered. The story was transcribed for this BIOS by Wilma J. Vande Berg of the Greater Sioux County Genealogical Society. Some research notes have been added.

Michael Kinney was born in Chesterville, Ontario, Canada January 17, 1840. Margaret Allen of Chesterville Ontario, was born November 29, 1843. They were married on June 25, 1871. After their marriage, they moved to Michigan where Michael was employed by the Cook Lumber Company. In 1874, they moved by covered wagon from Michigan to homestead on a tract of prairie land, which is now the farm near Carnes.

Michael spent many hard days cleaning the prairie, cutting trees and brush so he could build. He built a three room house and as the family grew, he added extra rooms. When they moved into the house, they used buffalo chips for fuel. He built a barn which was arranged for stock and grain with steps to the loft for grain storage. Also, broke the sod with a wooden plow in small patches at a time. He planted his first grains by hand, taking a pail of seeds and scattering them on the ground.

He cut the wheat with a grass blade and put it in small bunches, tied it with straw, and left the bunches to dry. Later, they threshed the grain by hand, by beating the grain out of the heads with a hand beater. After the harvest, they carried the grain up the steps into the barn, in sacks and dumped into bins. Later, the sold wheat to the Le Mars Mill and hauled it in the bob sleigh along the Floyd River trail.

When the new St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Alton was built in 1908, Michael donated the big bell in the tower.

Margaret passed away November 4, 1904, then Michael made his home with his children. He passed away Oct 27, 1925. His surviving children at the time were James and Jerome, Miss Ellen Kinney, Margaret Kinney Arens, Caroline Kinney List and Josephine – Sister Annette, A Dominican Sister.
(end of the story in the church book)

RESEARCH Notes: The submitter was unable to find the names of both Michael Kinney and Margaret Allen’s parents in available internet sites. Michael had lost his parents at age three in Canada. Both born at Chesterville, Canada, Michael Kinney and Margaret Allen were married 25 June 1871 at Chesterville, Ontario Canada, most likely in the Catholic Church there. A marriage record and family membership record could exist there for information on the parents of this couple. In Margaret’s obit was stated she had a brother Joseph Allen, in Chesterville Canada in 1904.

CHILDREN: From local obituaries on this web page and from family reports on ancestry.com submitted by other than this submitter.

1. Ellen Kinney, Miss born Nov 19, 1876 died June 1930 Council Bluffs IA. Funeral at St. Mary’s Alton IA. See the obituary of Ellen Kinney on this web page.

2. James Kinney born Jun 11, 1878 Alton IA died 24 March 1949 buried St. Mary’s Cemetery Alton IA. He married Catherine Arens of Alton on Feb 26, 1906. They had eight children: Joseph Kinney, Bernard of Alton; Magdalene of Chicago, Illinois; Alberta, Mrs. Everild Niehus of Kingsley; Robert of Sheldon; Viola, Mrs. Albert Hansen of Alton; James Jr. of Hospers; Ivo of Sioux City. See James’ obituary on this web page.

3. Michael ‘Jerome’ Kinney born Dec 3, 1881 Alton IA, died Feb 14, 1940 Sioux City IA buried St. Mary’s Alton IA. He married Elizabeth Lucid at Yankton SD. They had Annette Mrs. Harld E. Vande Steeg of Le Mars and Lorraine Mrs. Leo Barrett of Sioux City. See Jerome’s obit on this web page.

4. Margaret Kinney born 11 Jun 1882 Alton IA, died 14 Oct 1965 Dolton, Turner, SD She married Frank Arens born 19 Nov 1879 Sioux county IA. Died 30 Mar 1955 Dolton SD. They had children Eileen Arens 1915-1985, Miles Joseph Arens 1917-2005, Mary Annette Arens 1921.

5. Caroline Kinney List born Nov 16, 1884 Alton IA She married Jake List Apr 20, 1909, She was survived by her husband. See her obit on this web page.

6. Johanna Kinney Sister Annette, A Dominican Sister. Born about 1886 Alton I died 25 Apr 1938 died Rockford Co. Il buried Jamestown WI . See her obit on this web page.

OBITUARY of Michael Kinney 1840-1925

Source: Alton Democrat (11-6-1925) Born: 1840 Died: October 27, 1925. Tuesday afternoon, October 27, the Angel of Death summoned to his reward Michael Kinney, one of the oldest and best known pioneers of this vicinity.

Mr. Kinney was born at Chesterville, Ontario, Canada, on January 17, 1840. His parents died when he was but three years of age and he thus spent the rest of his boyhood days with strangers. For this reason his heart always went out to the poor orphans. He knew but little of a parent’s love. When 19 years of age he entered the lumbering camps above Toronto. In those days the life of a woodsman meant tough hardship. From there he went to Eacanaba, Michigan and was in the employ of the Cook Brothers Lumber Company for a number of years, acting in the capacity of foreman. He was also a sailor on the great lakes. In March 1871, he came to Sioux County and brought 120 acres of railroad land where now stands the old place. He also bought more land later adjoining the original home. In June of 1871 he was united in marriage to Margaret Allen and the two returned in 1871 and began making use of the Sioux County’s raw prairie, breaking sod, fighting grasshoppers and prairie fires and the many other hardships of the early days. He foresaw the results of the World War on agricultural speculations and of times warned his fellow farmers of a like period which followed the Civil War such as we just had since the World War ended.

Mr. Kinney’s untimely death was a shock to us all for he had been in our midst just a few days previous and was apparently enjoying his usual good health. A week ago Friday he came down from Salem, South Dakota to spend a few days at his old home and the following Monday was spent among his friends in Alton. Tuesday he went to Le Mars to attend the lecture by Peter Collins in which he was keenly interested and regretted that more did not avail themselves of the opportunity of hearing the noted speaker who had such a worth while message for his audience. He remained in Le Mars that night with an old friend and the next day remarked that he did not feel very well and that he had taken a slight cold. When he told his hostess goodbye he said that it was their final farewell. Similar remarks made to several others indicated that he had a presentiment that the end was near. He became quite ill Wednesday afternoon before he reached home and the following morning his condition was more serious. The doctor was summoned and reported there were symptoms of pneumonia but not enough to decide definitely, but the next day he pronounced it pneumonia. The rest of the family were notified and were fortunate in reaching the bedside in time to spend the last few days with him. He was delighted to see them all and when the last one arrived and visited with Mr. Kinney he said he was ready to die. From then until he peacefully drew his last breath, a few days later he conversed almost continually with God. Reverend Father Brune called several times, always bringing great comfort and consolation. In death as in life, Mr. Kinney showed his deep appreciation of the priest presence and no one was so welcome. Father Brune administered the Last Sacrament and just a few hours before he died gave him Holy Communion. His last days on earth were made very fruitful for eternity and must have made a lasting impression on those present. It was pathetic to hear him pleading to go to his Eternal Home. Finally the Lord granted his request and while surrounded by his children reciting for him the Rosary, to which he had been so faithful during his long life, his soul went forth to meet his Maker whom he had tried so earnestly to serve.

The funeral was held at St. Mary’s Church Thursday at 9:30 A.M. A Solemn Requiem Mass was offered for him and a most eloquent and touching sermon preached by Reverend Father Brune. A high tribute of praise was rendered the departed, special emphasis being made on his strong, active faith, and reverential respect for the all consecrated to God and for all things holy.

Mr. Kinney is survived by Ellen Kinney of Salem, South Dakota, James and Jerome of Alton, Mrs. Frank Arens of Salem and Sister Annette of Appleton, Washington. A very large number of Catholics and Protestants attended the funeral thereby testifying to the high esteem in which Mr. Kinney was held.

OBITUARY of Margaret Allen Mrs. Michael Kinney 1843-1904

Alton Democrat of Nov 12, 1904 On Friday night November four the dread messenger of death called at the Kinney home near Carnes and summoned there from the kind and loving wife and mother Mrs, Michael Kinney. Her health was impaired for about two years but she was not confined to her bed until about three weeks ago. All that medical aid could do was done but all to no avail.
Being possessed of extraordinarily strong vitality she lingered at the thread of life for a long while. Finally at ten-fifteen Friday night her soul winged its flight to its Maker. She bore her sufferings with a Christian like fortitude and God knowing her life of virtue took her to himself. Being attended in. her last moments by Father Brune—who recited the prayers for the dying and closed her eyes in death—she was well prepared to answer the beckoning of the angels.
Mrs. Margaret (Allen) Kinney was born at Chesterville Ontario Canada November twenty-ninth 1843, married Michael Kinney at Chesterville June twenty fifth 1871 and moved to Michigan where her husband was employed by the Cook lumbar company. In 1874 they settled on a farm near Carnes where they have since resided. Mrs. Kinnney was ever the same kind, loving and devoted to husband and children and everyone.
Truly can the poet's words be verified, none knew her but to love her, none named her but to praise. All her life has been a model to her children and she has now taught them a last lesson how to suffer in patience and resignation even to the end. From early childhood until her demise she was ever a tireless worker. She is now free from the world's turmoil and a hard worker, an honest cheerful woman, a loving wife and a kind mother has gone to her reward. The high esteem in which the deceased was held was shown by the very large attendance along the route of procession and afterward at the solemn chanting of the dead.
The funeral was held Monday. Rev Gehling of Hospers sung high mass. Rev. Brune performed the other ceremonies and preached a touching sermon referring many times to her devoutness. During her illness and death she was surrounded by her husband and children Ella, James, Jerome, Margaret, Caroline and Johanna, her brother Joseph Allen of Chesterville Canada, the kind attentive nurse Miss O'Niel and a number of friends. The heartbroken husband and family have the sympathy of their numerous friends