BIO: Judge John H. KINPORTS, Lebanon County, PA

Contributed for use in the USGenWeb Archives by Abby Bowman

Copyright 2005.  All rights reserved.
http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm
http://www.usgwarchives.net/pa/lebanon/
_______________________________________________ 

Biographical Annals of Lebanon County Pennsylvania.
Chicago: J. H. Beers & Co., 1904
_______________________________________________ 

Pages 17-18

JUDGE JOHN H. KINPORTS (deceased).  One of the best known and prominent citizens 
of his time in Lebanon county, was the late Judge John H. Kinports, a leading 
merchant and banker of Annville, and ex-clerk of the Orphans' Court, and of the 
Court of Quarter Sessions of Lebanon county, and an ex-Associate Judge of the 
Lebanon County Court.  He was a son of John Kinports, a native of Lancaster 
county, Pa., who removed thence to Lebanon county, and subsequently to Dauphin 
county, where he died in 1855.  John Kinports was a farmer by occupation, was 
twice married, and the father of twelve children.  His first wife was Barbara 
Huber, of Lancaster county, by whom he had the following children:  John H.; 
Jacob; Barbara; Catherine; Anna; Mary; Elizabeth.  The second wife was Elizabeth 
Hess, by whom he had children as follows:  David; Daniel; Abraham; Lydia; and 
Veronica.

John H. Kinports was born January 21, 1821, on a farm in Lebanon county, where 
he spent his early life.  When fifteen years of age he entered the employ of 
James Bingham, of Annville, with whom he continued for three years, and 
continued a citizen of Annville until his election to the office of clerk of the 
Orphans' Court and of the Quarter Sessions Court, when he removed to Lebanon 
city, and there resided during his incumbency of that official position.  
Returning to Annville, he engaged in merchandising in partnership with C. H. 
Killinger, later with H. H. Kreider, and still later with D. O. Shenk, 
continuing with the latter gentleman under the firm name of Kinports & Shenk 
until Judge Kinports' death.  At that time the Judge was succeeded by his sons, 
George W. and H. Lucien, the style now being Shenk & Kinports.  Judge Kinports 
was one of the organizers of the Annville National bank, became its first 
president, and was holding that office at the time of his death, on March 8, 
1893.  For ten years he served as an associate judge of the Lebanon County 
Court.

Judge Kinports married Mary Ann Stein, of Annville, who died January 5, 1898, 
and their children were as follows:  George W., Anna, Barbara, Rebecca, John H., 
Philip, Frank, Lizzie, Charles and H. Lucien.