GEORGE KINDER was born May 30, 1831, near the place where he now lives, in West Bethlehem township, Washington Co., Penn. His great-grandfather, George Kinder, resided on Plum Brush, and followed the Ohio and Mississippi rivers as a trader and boatman. For a time he was successful in business, but being overtaken by financial trouble, a few years later moved to New Orleans and never returned. His son George was born, in East Bethlehem township, this county, and lived in that vicinity until after his marriage, when he was accidentally killed in a carding mill, which he owned and operated. The maternal grandfather of our subject, Christian Booze, was born in Greene county, Penn. He followed farming and carpentry, and eventually became a successful business man. Valentine Kinder, the father of subject, was born in 1805, in East Bethlehem township. He received his education in the common schools, and was a good penman. When a young man he went to Galena, Ill., upon a mining expedition; thence proceeding to St. Louis, he there raised a crop of corn, and on returning home taught school for a time. He then married Miss Julia Booze, at which time his entire wealth amounted to the modest sum of $35. He located just below the present home of his son, George, where he remained two years, and then removed to West Mill. Six years later he bought the home of his son, Louis, where he lived a number of years; and thence removed to the old Nicholl farm, near Hillsboro. At the time of his death, which occurred June 12, 1890, he left $10,000 for distribution, having previously divided $50,000 among his children. George Kinder, the subject of this sketch, received but a limited education in the country schools, as being the eldest son, he had to work on the farm from early boyhood. Notwithstanding these disadvantages, being naturally a student, he is one of the best-read men in his township. Much of his life has been spent in farming, and he has given some time to the carpenter trade. He owns the farm of 163 acres where he resides, besides also other land. Mr. Kinder was married, in 1853, to Miss Esther A. Wilson, and children as follows have been born to them: James V., Calvin (deceased), Julius (was first married to Miss Emma Nichols, and later to Miss Ida McCarthy), Wilson, Frank S., White L., Emma Eliza and Vosier. Mr. Kinder is a Republican, and has been auditor of the township for many years, proving a most efficient officer. In church connection, he was formerly a Methodist, but about ten years ago, he united with the Old Christian Church; the family, however, are Methodists. Mr. Kinder is a representative self-made man, and has won the esteem and friendship of all who know him. [Since the above was prepared for the press, we have been informed of the death of Mr. George Kinder ED.]

Text taken from page 1102 of: Beers, J. H. and Co., Commemorative Biographical Record of Washington County, Pennsylvania (Chicago: J. H. Beers & Co., 1893). Transcribed March 1997 by Neil and Marilyn Morton of Oswego, IL as part of the Beers Project. Published March 1997 on the Washington County, PA USGenWeb pages at http://www.chartiers.com/.

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