WILSON KINCAID GRAVESTONE PHOTO
South Kansas Tribune, May 3, 1905:
The Pioneer, Wilson Kincaid
Died, at his home in Independence, early Monday morning, May 1, Mr. Wilson Kincaid, aged sixty-two years.
Mr. Kincaid was born in Mahoning county, Ohio, and when he passed his nineteenth year the South land had fired on Fort Sumter, the civil war had broken out in its fury, and President Lincoln made his first call for 75,000 soldiers, and Wilson Kincaid the boy patriot, responded. He was assigned to the Sixth Ohio Cavalry, and was among the first to see service in Virginia, took part in a number of the hardest fought engagements, and was with the grand army of Grant when it compelled the Confederate surrender at Appomatox. After the war he came to Kansas, to Linn county, and there was married to Miss Louisa Hughes in 1869. The following year he joined the thousands of young men in getting a home among the Indians in this county, then a part of the Osage Diminished Reserve and opened a general store in the “hay town” of Independence. He built one of the early neat cottages and his wife came, and on that lot they have lived happily for thirty-five years. Mr. Kincaid was always a prominent citizen, earned and held the confidence of a large circle of friends, served the city on important committees, and as the years passed was twice elected and service as mayor and twice as county commissioner, and was a member of the Board which planned and built the present courthouse. He was ever a public spirited citizen, and has served as trustee for the County High School since the first board election and was present at its April session, always as a valuable member.
Last fall he suffered a stroke of paralysis, and while he partially recovered and was able to be wheeled to the store and attend to some business, he was subject to attacks. Last Thursday he was at the store, cheerful and in good heart, but the final summons came Friday at home, and he remained unconscious until the end, about 4 a.m., Monday.
The funeral was held this afternoon at the home, with service in charge of Rev. Arthur Metcalf of the Congregational church. The high school trustees, the high school and city officers were in attendance, and many of the business houses closed out of respect. The interment was in charge of McPherson Post, No. 4, G. A. R.
Independence Daily Reporter, Monday, May 1, 1905, Pg. 1:
A WELL KNOWN CITIZEN AND FORMER MAYOR
The End Came This Morning—Stricken With Paralysis Deceased Never Regained Consciousness---Funeral Wednesday at 2:30
In the death of Wilson Kincaid, which occurred this morning at 3:40, the city loses one of its best-known citizens. Last Friday morning Mr. Kincaid was stricken with paralysis in the left side and from the first the attending physician held out no hopes of his recovery. He never recovered consciousness and the end came peacefully.
Wilson Kincaid was born in Mahoning county, O., March 1843, being a little past 62 years of age at his death. He served throughout the entire period of the Civil War in the Sixth Ohio cavalry and was present at the surrender of the Confederate army at Appomattox. In 1869 he came to Kansas and married Miss Louise Hughes, who was a native of southern Ohio, and in 1870 they came to Independence. Mr. Kincaid embarked in the dry goods and grocery business in the storeroom next to the city hall and afterwards moved to the present location of the firm of Kincaid & Co. No. 217 N. Penn avenue.
Mr. Kincaid was twice mayor of the city and his official tenure was marked throughout by the uprightness and honor that was characteristic of the man’s whole life. He was also twice a member of the board of county commissioners and was prominent in the movement that resulted in the erection of the courthouse. At the time of his death he was serving as one of the trustees of the high school.
The older residents of the city who best knew the deceased all speak of him as a man among men, a first class citizen, thoroughly reliable, and a good friend. He was a member of but one organization, McPherson Post, G. A. R.
Mr. Kincaid is survived by his wife and three children, two sons, Robert and Bond, and a daughter Bessie. Six brothers and one sister, all living in Lynn and Anderson counties, also survive him.
The funeral services will be held from the residence of the deceased, 217 South Sixth street, Wednesday afternoon at 2:30. Rev. Metcalf of the Congregational church will conduct the obsequies and speak the words of comfort and hope to the bereaved family.
Independence Daily Reporter, Wednesday Evening, May 3, 1905, Pg. 1 and Pg. 4:
(Unable to read headline to story clearly)
Funeral Services for Wilson Kencaid Held This Afternoon
The burial of Mr. Kincaid, one of the most worthy citizens of Independence, who died Monday morning, took place from the home at 2:30 this afternoon.
Many of his own people were present; Mr. Edwin Kincaid and Mathew Kincaid from Kincaid, Kansas; Mrs. Eric Housel, Mr. Kincaid’s only sister; Mr. Allison Kincaid of Mound City; Walter Kincaid, Pleasonton, Kansas, Frank Kincaid and Mr. and Mrs. C. C. Kincaid of Cherryvale.
Rev. Metcalf was in charge of the service at the house and the Grand Army in devotion to one of their own number presided at the grave. The pall bearers were the following gentlemen: E. P. Allen, Ed Foster, T. F. Mears, Henry Conrad, Charlie Yoe and Tom Burke.
Many of the old friends of the deceased and the businessmen and officers of the city were present. The County Commissioners attended in a body; the County High School and business houses being closed in due respect to his death.
Death has intervened and removed from the active business life of the community, a man who for many years in public and in private, has stood for all that is best in citizenship. In the passing of Wilson Kincaid the city loses a first class citizen, many of the people a good friend and his wife and children are bereft of a kind husband and father. Such men as Mr. Kincaid are the real backbone of any community.
Honest, fearless and public spirited, Mr. Kincaid filled various public offices with honor and credit and during his life was ever foremost in any movement looking to the upbuilding of the city of his adoption.
Contributed by Mrs. Maryann Johnson a Civil war researcher and a volunteer in the Kansas Room of the Independence Public Library, Independence, Kansas.