Biographical Sketch of John H. Kinyoun, A.M. & M.D., Johnson County, Missouri
Centerview Township
>From "The History of Johnson County, Missouri," 
Kansas City Historical Co. 1881

JOHN H. KINYOUN, A. M. AND M. D.,

was born October 4, 1825, in Davie county, North Carolina.  His father,
James Kinyoun, was born February 4, 1804, in North Carolina, where he
died in 1857.  His paternal grandfather was born in England, near
London, in 1756, and came to America in 1777, landing at Norfolk,
Virginia, and enlisted under Gen. George Washington, and was afterward
promoted to assistant quartermaster.  After the close of the war he
settled in North Carolina, where he resided until his death.  John H.
spent his youth on his father's farm, and attended school during the
winter seasons.  At the age of twenty he went to the Jonesville academy,
where he remained five months, and then went to the Mocksville academy,
where he remained two years, and was prepared to enter college.  He then
went to Wake Forest college, North Carolina, where he remained but one
year, not liking the course of instruction, after which he went to
Columbian college, located at Washington, D. C., where he remained one
year.  He then went to Union college, the State University of New York,
where he graduated with the honors of the college, and then returned to
North Carolina, where he taught school for four years.  While teaching
school he studied law in the school of Chief Justice Pearson, and was
admitted to the bar, but not liking the profession, he abandoned it and
commenced the study of medicine in the office of Dr. Valentine Mott,
professor of surgery in the university of the city of New York,
graduating in 1859 with the honors of the university.  He then returned
home and commenced the practice of medicine.  In 1861 he entered the
southern army, was elected captain, and passed through thirteen regular
battles, and was afterward appointed surgeon, and served until the close
of the war, proving himself to be a fine surgeon, as well as
practitioner, by his many successful operations.  At the close of the
war he returned to North Carolina, and went to farming and practicing,
and afterward went to Texas, but returned the next year to North
Carolina, where he met Mr. Ridings, of Warrensburg, who persuaded him to
come to Missouri, and in 1868, he left North Carolina, and arrived at
Warrensburg on the 6th of May, having borrowed the money from Mr.
Kidings to pay freight and traveling expenses, and had only ten dollars
left when he arrived.  He located on Post Oak, three miles south of
Centerview.  Here he went to farming and making rails, and during the
fall and winter he made 12,000 rails for his neighbors, and enough
stakes to make three-quarters of a mile of post fence.  He would take
his pony with him to the timber, and when sent for he would make the
visit, prescribed, and then return to his work; but the second year his
practice required all his time.  He was married December 18, 1856, to
Miss Bettie A. Conrad, daughter of Joseph Conrad, of North Carolina.
She died in 1872, leaving two sons and three daughters: Joseph J., Lula
A., Flora R., Stella K. and John C.  The last named died when a baby.
Mr. K. lived a widower for five years, and then married a widow, Mrs.
Martha A. Hammond.  He now owns a fine and comfortable home, and enjoys
great prosperity.

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