MEET YOUR ANCESTORS

Joel Henry Kinzie, first child of Caleb and Susannah, was born on May 10, 1859 in Wirtz, Franklin, Virginia. He died on December 23, 1938. Joel was 79 years old.

Joel Henry was easy-going, considerate, and enjoyed a good time. He approached each day with a calm and kind demeanor. Rising with the sun, he embraced the morning with the determination of a true farmer.  

Like many of his contemporaries in the early 1870s, he never completed the eighth grade but possessed a wealth of practical knowledge and a strong work ethic. As a devoted farmer, he spent his days sawing wood and shelling corn, often seen wearing a traditional Dunkard short stand-up collar that reflected his humble roots and deep faith.

A lifelong Deacon in the Belleville, Kansas Church of the Brethren, Joel was particularly skilled at preparing for communion services, pouring his heart into each ritual. Each Sunday, he preferred to sit in the front pew, a physical manifestation of his dedication to his faith and community.

On Christmas Day in 1883, Joel married Nellie Missouri Daggett, daughter of Albion Daggett and Sarah A. Hillery. Despite a very modest income, Joel and Nellie were good money managers and together, they raised eight children:

1. Sarah Elizabeth (Lizzie) Kinzie

2. Mary Susanna (Suzie) Kinzie

3. Rufus Albion Kinzie

4. John Willis Kinzie

5. Alice Rachel Norwood Kinzie

6. Glen Henry Kinzie

7. Galen William Kinzie

8. Ruth Margaret Kinzie

Nellie had a heart overflowing with love for children, and her patience knew no bounds. She was always the first to lend a hand during the tough times when illness struck her family or those in her community. With a warmth that drew people in, she once expressed her deep sentiment:  "I would much rather have my shades drawn and my carpets worn and faded, knowing exactly where my children are, than to be in the dark wondering where they’ve gone." Her words were a testament to her unwavering dedication to family.

Tragically, Nellie passed away on July 19, 1917 while on the operating table. Her cause of death is listed as strangulated hernia. She was only 54. Joel and Nellie were married for thirty-four years.

In his fifties, Joel took on a new challenge: serving as the superintendent of the Old Folks’ Home in Marshalltown, Iowa where he devoted eight years of service.

In September of 1918, Joel married his second wife, Sally Senger, fifteen years his senior. Sally was 74 at the time and Joel was 59. Sadly, she became infirm just one year after they married and died five years later.

In February 1931, Joel married his third wife, Lavina Fisher Flory. They were married for nearly eight years before Joel's death on December 23, 1938. Joel was 79 years old. Lavina followed him, passing away three days later on December 26, 1938.

Based on excerpts from the Christian Küntzi genealogy documents and the 1981 Kinzie Book of Anecdotes. Please contact us with any corrections or updates.