Tuscola-Lapeer County MI Archives Biographies.....McGinnis, James 1840 - 
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Joy Fisher sdgenweb@yahoo.com April 29, 2007, 7:56 pm

Author: Chapman Bros. (1892)

JAMES McGINNIS, the genial host of the principal hotel in Kingston, and who
gives his attention and time to the comfort of the traveling public, who may be
dependent upon his kindly graces and good will for the time being, is he whose
name is given above. He is one of the numerous delegates from our sister
country, coming across the borders from Canada. He was born in the county of
Welland, Canada, November 14, 1840, and is a son of Frank and Nancy (Cornfoot)
McGinnis. The former was born in the Emerald Isle, but was brought by his
parents to America when a mere child. They located in Canada, and there he was
reared on a farm. While yet in his young manhood he left the Dominion and went
to Cleveland, Ohio. He had no experience in commercial life, having previously
lived on a farm. On coming to the United States he went to handling stock,
buying and selling extensively. From Cleveland he removed to Cincinnati, Ohio,
and there died in 1860.

  In 1838 our subject's father was united in marriage to Miss Nancy Cornfoot, a
native of Canada, and a daughter of James and Mary Cornfoot, both natives of
Scotland. From their union there were nine children, three of whom are yet
living. They are: James, of whom we write; John, who resides in this State; and
Frank, a resident of Bay City, this State. After the decease of our subject's
father, the mother again married, her second husband being David Miller, of
Cincinnati, Ohio. This union was blessed by the advent of two children-George
and Mary. The latter lives in Kingston, and is the wife of Cornelius Burns. Our
subject's mother died in October, 1889.

  The original of our sketch began life for himself when about fifteen years of
age and has ever since made his own living. He first engaged in the butcher
business, having served an apprenticeship in that line. He followed this
business for many years, but on coming to Michigan, about 1868, he located in
Lapeer County, upon a farm, spending seven years in clearing it and in improving
and making a fine home place on it. After that he came to Kingston, where he has
been engaged in various occupations. For the last five years, however, he has
been the proprietor of the Kingston Hotel, and dispenses good cheer from its
hospitable board.

  August 27, 1861, Mr. McGinnis was married to Miss Serena Wigle, a daughter of
Christopher and Mary Wigle, of Canada. From this union there are two
children-Bertie B. and Grace. The first-named is the wife of Peter H. Clark, who
lives in Illinois; the second is the wife of Charles Soper, of Kingston. James
McGinnis served in the late war, being in Company L, Third Ohio Cavalry. He
enlisted August 30, 1862, and took part in various noted battles. He was at
Perry ville and Stone River, and after the last-named battle was captured and
was confined in the prison at Atlanta for six weeks. He was then taken to Libby
Prison, and there remained over two months. From that place he was sent to
Annapolis, and thence to his own State, remaining for some time at Camp Chase,
where he received his honorable discharge in 1865.


Additional Comments:
Extracted from:

Portrait and Biographical Record of Genesee, Lapeer and Tuscola Counties,
Michigan, Containing Biographical Sketches of Prominent and Representative
Citizens, Together with Biographies of all the Governors of the State, and of
the Presidents of the United States

Chicago:
Chapman Bros.
1892


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