William Riley Kinyon (February 3, 1833 – June 2, 1914) was an American politician, lawyer, and banker. He served as a member of the Minnesota House of Representatives and was the 13th Speaker of the Minnesota House of Representatives, representing Owatonna.
Early Life and Education
Kinyon was born and raised in Mannsville, New York. He was educated in the district schools of Jefferson County, New York, attended Union Academy in Belleville, New York, and graduated from Union College in Schenectady, New York in 1856.
Career
After graduating, Kinyon moved to Juneau, Wisconsin in 1856, where he worked as a teacher in public schools for one year. He read law in a law office and passed the Wisconsin Bar exam in 1858. Later that year, he moved to Owatonna, Minnesota, where he engaged in the practice of law.
In 1861, he was commissioned as a Lieutenant Colonel in the Minnesota National Guard.
In 1866, Kinyon established a private bank with J.C. Easton. The business was absorbed by the First National Bank of Owatonna in 1871, where Kinyon served as President until 1903.
Political Career
Kinyon's first year of service in the Minnesota House of Representatives was 1868. After leaving the House as a representative, he served as Clerk of the House from 1869 to 1870. He was elected back to the body in 1874 and served as Speaker of the Minnesota House of Representatives from 1875 to 1876. He was a member of the Republican Party.
Personal Life
Kinyon married Maryette Gillett. The couple had a son, George R. Kinyon. Kinyon died on June 2, 1914, in Owatonna, Minnesota.
