John W. Kinney, a respected and well known farmer, of the Second District, was born August 14, 1838, in Haywood County, Tenn. His parents were George W. and Lucinda J. (Tucker) Kinney. When young they both came to the western district, settling in Haywood County, where they were wedded. In 1860, they moved to Hardeman County. Both belonged to the Methodist Church. Of the fourteen children born to their union, only four sons and three daughters survive. The father was of Irish descent, an old school Democrat, as are his sons. All of his life, he was an industrious, energetic farmer, and accumulated some 1,700 acres of fine land. He died in 1883, since which time the mother has made her home with her children. The subject of this sketch was reared on a farm and received his education in the common schools. On reaching manhood’s estate, he took charge of his father’s business, conducting it for seven years. In 1866, he married Miss Letitia F. Goodwin, who was born August 29, 1848. Their union has been blessed with eight children, four of whom are sons. Mr. and Mrs. Kinney are consistent and earnest members of the Missionary Baptist Church. After marriage, he settled in Mississippi where he farmed until 1880, when he returned to Hardeman County. He has been quite successful in agricultural pursuits and now owns about 600 acres of good land. He is an enterprising and worthy citizen.
Source: “The Goodspeed Publishing Co., History of Tennessee, 1886”