Among the pioneers of Avon township, the memory of John Kinney will remain ever fresh and fragrant. A courteous Christian gentleman, in the broadest acceptation of the term, None knew him but to lore him, None named him but to praise." He was a native of the town of Oxford, Warren county, New Jersey, being born January 5, 1811, and was the youngest in a family of seven children, all of whom are now deceased. He received a good common-school education in his native town, and in 1833 was united in marriage to Miss Eliza S. McCracken, of his native State, and daughter of the late John McCracken, of Macon county, Michigan. Shortly after their marriage, the young couple bought a farm in their native town, whereon they remained until 1837, when they came to Michigan to hew out for themselves a home amid the charming lakes of Oakland. They made the journey with their own conveyance to Buffalo, thence by lake to Detroit, from which latter point they drove again to Avon township their own team. On his arrival, Mr. Kinney purebred one hundred and eighty-six acres on section 25, upon which farm he resided the remainder of his earthly career. This homstead (a view of which, together with portraits of its master and mistress, we present to our readers on another page of our work) well attests the industry of its proprietor, as no better or more highly cultivated one can be found in the county. The worthy pair of whom we write by frugality and industry accumulated a goodly store of worldly wealth, insomuch that later in life they were independent of hard labor and anxiety touching the future " rainy days." This competency was enjoyed not only by those who had gained it, but by all who were so fortunate as to be numbered among their numerous and frequent guests. In politics Mr. Kinney was a Jacksonian Democrat, and was called upon by his fellow-townsmen to fill many positions of trust in their gift. He united in his youth with the Methodist Episcopal church, and his whole life adorned the profession of his boyhood. He fell asleep in the full expectancy of the realiza- tion of his hopes, January 9, 1877. Mrs. Kinney was born December 6, 1812, and received what was considered in those days a good education, and, although now in her sixty-sixth year, retains her mental vigor and bodily health in a marked degree of superiority. She is a genial and affable lady, and pleasing conversationalist.