Holden D. Kinyon Biography


	This biography appears on pages 709-710 in "History of South 
	Dakota" by Doane Robinson, Vol. I (1904) and was scanned, 
	OCRed and edited by Maurice Krueger, mkrueger@iw.net.

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	HOLDEN D. KINYON, the popular and efficient postmaster of Valley 
Springs, South Dakota, also a dealer in books, stationery and school 
supplies, was born in Lomira, Dodge county, Wisconsin, September 15, 
1854, being the son of Samuel and Elizabeth (McIntosh) Kinyon. He was 
reared on his father's farm near Lomira, received his elementary 
education in the public schools of the town and subsequently pursued 
the more advanced branches of study in the Mayville high school, 
fitting himself for teaching in the latter institution. Until twenty-
six years old he helped cultivate the home place, devoting the winter 
seasons to educational work, but at that age he left his native state 
and came to South Dakota, purchasing in 1887 a claim about five miles 
northwest of Valley Springs, in the county of Minnehaha. During the 
ensuing year and a half he lived on his land and labored at its 
improvement, but at the end of that time changed his abode to Valley 
Springs where he spent the next year unemployed on account of poor 
health. In the year 1890 Mr. Kinyon was appointed postmaster at Valley 
Springs, which position he has held to the present time, his period of 
service extending over four administrations, which fact attests not 
only his efficiency but his great popularity with the public, 
irrespective of politics, although his allegiance to the Republican 
party and activity in upholding its principles have made him one of its 
leaders in this part of the state. Mr. Kinyon has a fine store, in 
which are found full and complete lines of such goods as he handles, 
and from the beginning his business has steadily grown until he now 
commands a large and lucrative trade. His relations with his customers 
are gentlemanly and obliging, to which fact not a little of his success 
is clue, and as an official he attends strictly to his duties, the 
people recognizing in him a most courteous and accommodating servant, 
whose kindly nature has won a warm and permanent abiding place in 
public esteem. Mr. Kinyon owns a pleasant home in Valley Springs and 
has a wife, but no children, his marriage dating from the 18th of 
March, 1876. Mrs. Kinyon, formerly Miss Jennie F. Palmer, of Wisconsin, 
is popular in the social walks of life, has many friends and 
acquaintances in the place of her residence and, like her husband is 
respected and manifests an abiding interest in whatever makes for the 
good of the community.