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The Obituary of F. F. Kiner

Death of F. F. Kiner

Ida County Pioneer

Thursday - April 18, 1901

Word was received in this city Tuesday morning that attorney, F. F. Kiner, had passed away at the Soldiers Home in Marshalltown Monday night. The deceased had but just recently returned to that institution after having spent a few weeks in the city and was in a most feeble condition.

F. F. Kiner was one of the early citizens of Ida Grove and a man most highly respected by the entire community. He located here in 1882, establishing a law practice and continued in that career, and occasionally occupying the pulpit, ever since until about two years ago when he was compelled to retire on account of failing health. He was an honorable, just and charitable citizen and his wide acquaintanceship throughout the county will grieve to hear of his death.

During his long residence in Ida Grove he has been repeatedly elected justice of the peace and in filling that office the great generosity of his heart and his wise counsel have made themselves apparent upon many an occasion.

Obituary. Frederick Frank Kiner was born November 21, 1833, near Landisburg, Pennsylvania, and at the time of his death had passed his sixty-eighth birthday. Shortly after he had passed his eleventh year his parents came west locating in Stark county, Ohio, where they resided three years and then moved to Iowa settling seven miles north of Burlington in Des Moines county, and here he learned the coopers trade. At the age of sixteen years he was converted and his first church affiliations was with the Church of God in 1853. One year later he entered the ministry, receiving his license at North Bend, 1861, and he remained twenty-eight years in active church work. October 5, 1861, he enlisted as a private soldier at Camp McClellan, Clinton county, in the 14th Iowa Infantry, and was appointed an Orderly Sergeant, which position he held for eighteen months, carrying the musket at Donelson and Shiloh and at the latter place himself and nearly all of his regiment were made prisoners. Sergeant Kiner was held a prisoner for six months, spending his time at Memphis, Mobile, Chattanooga, Macon and in Libby Prison. After being exchanged he was promoted to the chaplaincy of his regiment at Cairo, Illinois, serving in that capacity until the expiration of his regiments time. He was in the Red River campaign with Sherman in his famous march to the sea, and participated in other noted engagements of the civil war. About 1878 he began studying law and was admitted to the bar in 1880, and two years later moved to Ida Grove where he has resided ever since. Mr. Kiner was married to Eliza Ann Nicodemus in October, 1854, and to their union eight children were born, two of whom and the wife have passed on before him. The children who survive him are three daughters and three sons, Mrs. E. L. Latchaw, Mrs. Myra Condit, Mrs. Jessie Elser, Frederick C., Hamilton A., and Steven W. Kiner. The funeral was held at the Soldiers Home yesterday and interment was made in the cemetery connected with that institution.

F. F. Kiner was indeed one of Gods noble beings. He was generous to a fault, willing to sacrifice everything for his family or a friend and his many Ida county acquaintances will mourn his death. He was a grand, good and charitable man and the worst that could be said of him was, that he was not a money maker. He devoted a great deal of his time, earnings and energies in the cause of religion. He had perhaps done more gratuitous preaching than any other man in Iowa. His reward should be great.

Transcribed and submitted by great great grandson