Elmer Paul Kinnaman was born on February 22, 1879 in Flora, Clay County, Illinois. He was the son of Henry and Mary Ann (Luse) Kinnaman. In the 1880 Federal Census, Elmer is with his parents and they are living in Monroe, Anderson County, Kansas. Listed with him are his parents, Henry and Mary Ann, his 12 year old sister Mamie and his five year old brother, Charles. Henry lists his occupation as farmer. By the 1900 Federal Census, the Kinnaman family are back in Clay County, Illinois. Henry is 79 years old and Mary Ann is 59. Elmer remains with his parents. He is 21 years old.

Elmer’s father, Henry Kinnaman , owned 160 acres in the southeast corner of Section 23 in Clay County, Illinois according to the 1881 Land map for Clay County. It was located northwest of Village of Flora. Henry had three wives. The first wife was Phebea Grim, she died 1862. They had two children; Martha Jane (1843) and Alonzo Clay (1855) who are half siblings to Elmer and his siblings. Henry married his second wife, Martha Rawlings in 1862. She died in 1865. They had no children. Henry then married Mary Ann Luse, who is the mother of Elmer and his siblings.

Elmer Paul married Avis Manda Nash in 1904. By the 1910 Federal Census, Elmer and Avis have two daughters, Mary Ester (1905) and Naomi Sophia (1908). They lived in Harter Township, Illinois. Elmer is a farmer. On September 12,1918, Elmer registered for the draft for WWI. He states that he is a self employed farmer. Elmer and Avis live on Route 1, in Flora, Illinois. By the time of the 1920 Federal Census, Elmer and Avis have three children; Mary and Naomi and a son, Paul Donald (1911). In 1925, Elmer Paul and Avis had a son name Lee Ellmore born on October 1, 1925 who died of an undisclosed illness on June 18, 1926. By the time of the 1930 Federal Census, the older girls have left home and 19 year old Paul remains with his parents. In the 1940 Federal Census, Elmer, Avis and their son, Paul are living in the same location.

In 1942, Elmer Paul registered for WWII along with his son, Paul. He is sixty three years old and stated that he is a self employed farmer. He and his wife Avis, live at RFD2, Harter Township, Clay County, Illinois.

Sixty-six years ago on April 18,1957, Elmer Paul died at the age of 78. He is buried at Elmwood Cemetery in the Kinnaman Plot in Flora, Illinois.

Rest in peace, Elmer!

Love, Jan

Elmer was the first cousin to Hannah and Emily Kinnaman. They are Kinnaman sisters who married Smith brothers; Branson and WiIliam Smith. William and Branson are my 3rd Great Grand Uncles, Brothers to my 2X Great Grandfather, James W Smith