Sedgwick County KSGenWeb

Portrait And Biographical Album of Sedgwick County, Kan.

Chapman Brothers 1888

Pages 945 - 946

WIILLIAM KINCAID, of Wichita, is a carpenter and builder by trade, but is now practically retired from active labor. He was, born June 8, 1828, in Brunswick, Cumberland Co, Me. Rural by birth and habits, he remained on a farm until reaching his seventeenth year, then migrated to Freeport, Ill., where he became master of the trades of carpenter and ship-joiner. He finally made his way to Big Swanico River, near Green Bay, Wis., where he carried on the milling business. He and his brother became owners of a tract of pine land, and sawed lumber for the market.

            Mr. Kincaid remained in that section of country about eighteen months, then sold out his business interests, and in 1865 headed for Vineland, N. J. Here he resumed carpentering for seven months, when Cedar Falls, Iowa, presented attractions for him, and he accordingly journeyed to that place and occupied himself as farmer and carpenter combined. He secured a clear title to 240 acres of this planet in that section, which anchored him down for a period of seven years, at the expiration of which time Venango County, Pa., dazzled his perceptives with promises of wealth in its oceans of oil, and he leased land and sunk a well. The venture proved quite encouraging, and he was finally the proprietor of eight more wells there. His next residence was in Bradford, of the same State, which promised larger returns for the same outlay of money and labor, and there he sunk sixteen wells, struck plenty of oil, and that on his own land; his wells yielded about 100 barrels per day, and were about 1,500 feet deep. He still owns thirty-seven acres of that oil land.

             From the oil regions of Pennsylvania, a glance at Wichita, Kan., was sufficiently inviting to attract Mr. Kincaid hither, but keeping in mind the fact that a promised Eldorado did not always fulfill the expectations of the adventurer, he wisely retained a portion of his property in Pennsylvania. He came to this county in February, 1887, arriving here on the 1st day of the month, and took possession of the forty acres of farm land which he had previously purchased. He now has three lots 100 feet front, upon two of which are fine dwellings. His own residence is particularly noticeable for its tastefulness of architecture and its size. It is flanked by a carriage barn, and surrounded by shade and fruit trees, forming one of the most complete and comfortable homes of the modern gentleman of means.

             The parents of our subject, David and Abigail (Waldron) Kincaid, were natives respectively of Maine and New Hampshire. The father was born in 1785, and departed this life at his home in Brunswick in 1841. The mother, who was born in 1800, survived her husband for a period of thirty-five years, remaining a widow, and departed this life at her son's home in South Portland, Me., in 1876. They enjoyed religious consolation in the doctrines of the Free-Will Baptist Church, of which they were members for many years. Of their thirteen children only four are living, and William, of our sketch, was the youngest of the family.

             Mr. Kincaid, while a resident of Portland, Me., made the acquaintance of Miss Abbie R. Osgood, with whom he was united in marriage Oct. 27, 1857. Mrs. K. was born in the city of Portland, Me., Nov. 22, 1842, and is the daughter of Abraham and Mary (Clement) Osgood, who were also natives of the Pine Tree State. Abraham Osgood was born Dec. 25, 1816, and died at his home in Portland, Me., in 1872. He carried on both farming and merchandising, and made considerable money as a speculator. He was a devout member of the Baptist Church. The mother was born March 16, 1817, is still living, and makes her home in South Portland, Me. The nine children of the parental household were: Emma, Phebe, Abbie R., Abram, George, Alice, Marietta, Georgiana and Cornelia.

             To our subject and his wife there were born four children: Willis married Miss Meyer, a New Jersey lady, and they make their home in Bradford, Pa.; Marietta died in 1873, when about two years of age; Waldron and Harry O. are at home. Mr. and Mrs. K. are both members in good standing of the Methodist Episcopal Church. The former, socially, is a member of the I. O. O. F., while Mrs. K. is identified with the Royal Templar's Degree of Rebecca. Mr. K., politically, affiliates with the Republican party. In addition to his property in this county, his name stands upon the records of Seward County, this State, as the tax-payer on 960 acres, which he purchased there in 1887.

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