Bio of Kinney, Alvin (b.1831) Wabasha Co., MN
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Made available to The USGenWeb Archives by: Barbara Timm and Carol Judge
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This bio comes from "HISTORY OF WABASHA COUNTY" 1884.
Check out Barbara's site for more great information on this book:
http://www.rootsweb.com/~mnwabbio/wab1.htm
There are also some pictures and information from descendents for some 
of the bios on her pages.

Kinney, Alvin, the genial proprietor of the Franklin House, Mazeppa, was
born in Otselic, Shenango county, New York State, in December, 1831. He
received some schooling at the district school, and commenced early in
life making his own way in the world by working on a farm by the month.
The season of 1854 found him in Sangamon county, Illinois, where, in the
fall of that year, he hired out to Edwards & Felt, at twenty dollars a
month and board, to feed stock through the winter, with the understanding
that when the cattle were shipped the following spring, if he desired he
could go along as far as Albany at the same pay. The corn for the stock
was bought of neighboring farmers, and he had to haul it and feed one
hundred head daily. When the stock was shipped in the spring he went
through to Albany, and from there he returned as far as Utica, from which
place he proceeded to his home, where he hired out on a farm at which he
continued for a couple of years. At about that time a great emigration was
going on, and mostly to Minnesota. He had no thought of Minnesota, as it
had been his intention to return to Illinois; but, being in company of
several of his acquaintances one Friday evening, who were to start on the
following Monday, he became enthused and decided that night to accompany
them. Accordingly, the next morning, he acquainted his father of his
determination, who remarked that he thought it might be a good idea. The
company came by rail to Dunlieth, Iowa, and from there by steamboat to Red
Wing, and from there to Mazeppa he came on foot, arriving at Mazeppa in
the spring of 1856. Here he pre-empted a quarter-section of land, proving
up his claim, and subsequently bought up the claim of another man. In the
fall of 1856 he went to Winona to take out his patent on his claim, but
found the expenses greater than he had calculated on. An acquaintance,
named Jost. Smith, was along with him, and when their business was
completed they took passage by boat to Red Wing. On arriving there in the
evening, they both discovered that they were without money; this situation
required the exercise of financial ability, so they resolved themselves
into a committee to provide ways and means. They were too much American to
beg, and too good to steal, so the committee soon decided that their only
chance was to either walk all night or sleep out. But, it being late in
the fall and too cold for that, it was not to be thought of. The night was
dark, but on hunting around they found an old shed, with nothing in it but
a cutter. Here they took up their lodging, one sitting for awhile in the
cutter while the other walked up and down to keep warm. At the first
intimation of approaching day they started on foot for home, but had gone
only about seven miles when Mr. Kinney discovered in his overcoat pocket
seventy-five cents, which, had it been found the evening before, would
have been sufficient to procure comfortable lodgings. In those days
prairie fires occurred every year, burning over the surface of the whole
country and leaving it perfectly black, giving it a desolate and somber
appearance. On going to Red Wing on foot, shortly after one of these
fires, he saw in the distance some strange object that appeared to be
moving, but which he could not make out. He had not long to wait, however,
as he soon discovered that the strange object was a party of Indians
moving with their families and household goods. Here he witnessed for the
first time what appeared to him the most crude yet novel mode of
transportation; two poles, fifteen or twenty feet in length, were fastened
one on each side of a pony by one end, while the other end dragged on the
ground. Here, he thought, was displayed the inventive faculty which
indicated progression. In 1873 he traded farm property for the Franklin
House, which he has continued to run. He has been deputy sheriff two
terms. In April, 1857, he was married to Miss Adeline Hutchins, then of
Mazeppa, but formerly of Shenango county, New York State. They lost their
only child.