Z]achary T[aylor] KINSELL, one of Mount Ayr's successful business men and the leading hardware merchant of the place, was born August, 1850, Monroe County, Ohio. When he was ten years of age his parents D. C. and Sarah (SLACK) KINSELL, removed from Ohio to Ringgold County, where his father has since followed mercantile pursuits, being the oldest merchant in Mount Ayr.

Z. T. KINSELL, our subject, grew to manhood in Mount Ayr, receiving a good common-school education in the schools of that city. He entered his father's store when quite young, and early in life became well versed in the mercantile business. He began learning the tinner's trade when fifteen years old, when he was employed by the firm of Parick & Walker of Bedford, Iowa. At the age of seventeen years he engaged in the hardware business on his own account, and in 1870 established his present business at Mount Ayr, and carries a full line of everything pertaining to the hardware trade. In connection with his hardware business, Mr. KINSELL carries on farming, being the owner of a fine farm south of Mount Ayr, where he is engaged in stock-raising. He was the first to introduce thorough-bred Jersey cattle into Ringgold County, for which he deserves much credit. He has his farm stocked with short-horn and Herford-grades of cattle, and his Jersey cattle are registered in the National Herd Book. His farm contains 240 acres of choice land, and possesses all the natural advantages of a fine grazing farm.

For his wife Mr. KINSELL married Miss Elizabeth WILSON, daughter of P. W. WILSON, one of the oldest business men of Mount Ayr. Mr. and Mrs. KINSELL are the parents of two sons, named Harry and Clive.

NOTE: Zachary Taylor KINSELL and Elizabeth WILSON were married August 22, 1878, Buffalo County, Nebraska. Elizabeth was the daughter of Peter W. WILSON who came from Illinois.

SOURCES:
Biography & Historical Record of Ringgold County, Iowa, Pp. 274-74, 1887.

www.rootsweb.ancestry.com/~nebuffal/marriage/marr1878-79.htm

WPA Graves Survey

Transcription and note by Sharon R. Becker, January of 2009

Biographical Sketches Pages Index: A - F,   G - L,   M - R,  S - Z