John H. Kincaid
John H. Kincaid was born October 13, 1813, son of John and Sarah Kincaid. He worked on his father's farm and attended the Public schools in his vicinity. He was twenty-one years of age when his father, Judge John Kincaid, died, and was one of ten surviving children, yet he bought out his brothers and sisters and paid them $1,100 for their interests. He was married August 7, 1834, to Barbara Lawrence, a native of Fayette County, Pennsylvania. He began his married life without a dollar of money, but he had a capital of energy, will and industry that served him well. He became one of the principal farmers of the county. January 10, 1865, his wife died, and on December 23, 1867, he was married to Jane McNeil, who survived him. He took an active interest in politics, was a Whig and Republican and very strongly anti-slavery. He always attended the county conventions of his party, usually as a delegate and so often was this done that the wags gave him the name, in sport. "Liberty Township." What they said in sport was sober reality, for, in many respects, he was "Liberty Township." In his interest in political affairs, he was a model citizen. He believed every man should take a continuing interest in political affairs, and, as a consequence, he never missed a primary or political convention. He often attended the District and State Conventions of his party. In political affairs he was always consulted and great weight given to his advice. He was a man of fine personal appearance, very tall and very erect in his carriage. His physical appearance would attract attention in any company or public assemblage. No man enjoyed a hearty laugh more than he, and he was full of fun and humor, but whenever he undertook to do anything, no man was more fixed or set in his purpose. He had an expression of firmness about his mouth when his lips were closed that was emphatic and impressive. It dominated all other expressions of his features. It was a pleasure to hear him converse and he enjoyed the company of good conversationalists and could carry his part among that kind of social companions. He was a great friend of the lawyers and physicians of West Union of his own age, and especially of E. P. Evans, J. R. Cockerill, J. M. Wells and Dr. David Coleman.
When the underground railroad was in operation, he was one of the directors and conductors. As his name indicates, he was of Scotch descent and by birthright a Presbyterian, and a believer in that faith, but never became a member of the church. This was largely due to the breach between his father and the Rev. Dyer Burgess on the subject of Masonry in 1830. In 1868, he united with the M. E. Church and died in that faith on October 10, 1887. His life was full of good deeds and acts of charity. He was a good citizen, a good neighbor, and undertook to and performed all his duties as man, citizen, husband and father as he understood them. He has gone to his reward and the world is better that he lived. He left the memory of an example of which his children, his township and county may be proud. His children were: George Lawrence, born May 15, 1835; John Williamson, born March 29, 1837; William Nelson, born March 20, 1839, died December 3, 1852 ; Sarah Margaret, born May 16, 1842; Mary Anne, born January 27, 1847; Adaline Jane, born May 2, 1849; Martha Alice, born October 29, 1851; Thomas, born November 12, 1854; Quincy Adams, born December 15, 1858; Winfield Scott, born July 9, 1861.
Sarah M. married Joseph B. Matthews, and lives near Eckmansville, Ohio. They have two children. Adaline Jane married John G. Kleinknecht, and resides at Hills Fork, Ohio, and she has four children.
From "History of Adams County, Ohio from its Earliest Settlement to the Present Time"- by Nelson W. Evans and Emmons B. Stivers - West Union, Ohio - Published by E. B. Stivers - 1900