William J. Kincaid
This sterling representative of an honored pioneer family of Decatur County has been a lifelong resident of Fugit Township, where he is known by everyone and is ranked among its foremost citizens. He has inherited the sturdy, upright traits of character which are so marked in the Scotch-Irish race whence he springs and which nowhere find such good opportunity for growth and expression as in the United States.
John Kincaid, the paternal grandfather of our subject, was born in Tennessee in 1775, and thence removed to Kentucky, and in 1828 to Clarksburg, Decatur County. Here he took an active part in the young community and reared his four sons to be as useful citizens as himself. Joseph, the eldest, remained in Clarksburg, and David and John Jr., continued to dwell in Fugit Township, while Andrew, the second son, settled in Rush County, IN. Each of the brothers left numerous descendants, and thus the family name is well known throughout this portion of the state, always standing for good citizenship and industrious, honorable yeomanry. The father departed this life, August 9, 1848, at the age of seventy-two years, ten months and thirteen days. His wife preceded him to the better land, her death taking place February 23, 1846, when she was seventy-three years, five months and thirteen days old.
John Kincaid, Jr., the father of William J., was born in Kentucky, November 28, 1813, and died at his old home in Fugit Township, April 7, 1894. He was about fifteen years of age when he came to this county with his parents, and here he had abundant opportunity for the exercise of the varied talents with which nature had endowed him. He was a successful business man and accumulated a fine estate. Conscientious in all his dealings with others, his word was considered as good as his bond, and his sincerity and uprightness never were doubted by those who knew him well. True to the religious tenets of his ancestors, he was a Presbyterian of the old school, for many years an elder in the local church and always one of its most liberal supporters and active workers.
The first wife of John Kincaid, Jr., was Martha McCracken, and for a second wife he chose Priscilla Alexander, who bore him two children, namely: Martha E, now the wife of T.H. McCracken, of Fugit Township; and Mary, deceased. After the death of Priscilla Kincaid, her sister, Nancy E., became his wife and the kind foster mother of his little ones. She was a lovable Christian character, and for about two score years they traveled the pathway of life together. She survived him four years, her death occurring August 25, 1898.
The birth of William J. Kincaid took place on the parental homestead, April 14, 1856, and in his youth he attended the Clarksburg public school. Like his ancestors he is an excellent agriculturalist and practical business man. No one in the community is more highly respected; and that he is trusted in and his opinions esteemed of value may be judged from the fact that, in 1899, he was elected to serve as a member of the board of county commissioners. He votes for nominees of the Democratic Party and thoroughly endorses its platform. Religiously he is a Presbyterian, is one of the active members of the local church and at present is serving in the capacity of elder. He was united in marriage to Miss Mattie Kincaid, a daughter of Andrew and Jane Kincaid, in 1884, but on the 19 of January 1896, was bereft of her by death. She was a lady of good education and native graces of disposition, and was loved by the entire community.
