John Henry Kinkead (1826-1904)  Kinkead was born in Smithfield, Pennsylvania on October 10, 1826 to Catherine (Bushey) and James S. Kinkead. He attended elementary school in Zanesville, Ohio and high school in Lancaster, Ohio.  At age 18, Kinkead became a clerk at a dry goods store. In 1849, he moved to Salt Lake City, Utah where, with I. M. Livingston, he founded the dry goods firm Livingston & Kinkead.

In 1854 Kinkead moved to California, working at various jobs before settling in Marysville. There, on January 1, 1856, he married Elizabeth Falls. The marriage produced no children. During 1856, Kinkead attempted to establish a dry goods business in New York City. Unsuccessful in this effort, he returned to California at the end of the year. There Kinkead suffered a series of business setbacks.

Prompted by the discovery of silver in the area, Kinkead moved to Carson City, Utah Territory. While operating his dry goods store, he became involved in the organization of Nevada Territory.  Kinkead was appointed Nevada's first Territorial Treasurer, a position he held from 1862 to 1864, and in 1864 served as a member of the Nevada Constitutional Convention.

By mid-1867, Kinkead was without work and journeyed to Alaska with the "Occupancy" Commission.  As part of the commission, he witnessed the transfer of Alaska from Russian to American possession. He also became the first United States official to hold office in Alaska when he was appointed postmaster by President Andrew Johnson.  In addition to his postal duties, Kinkead operated a trading post and served as Sitka, Alaska's unofficial mayor.

Kinkead returned to Nevada in 1871, settling in the town of Unionville.  There he engaged in various milling, mining, and mercantile efforts within Humboldt and Lander counties.  His efforts during this period included founding Washoe City, building smelters in Pleasant Valley and Austin, and becoming an early promoter for the Virginia and Truckee Railroad.

Running on the Republican ticket, Kinkead was elected Governor of Nevada for the term running from January 1, 1879 to January 1, 1883.  While in office he supported mining efforts, creation of toll roads, and the interests of the Virginia and Truckee Railroad.  At the end of his term, the governor declined to run for reelection.

Acting on the recommendation of U.S. Senator John P. Jones, President Chester Arthur appointed Kinkead as governor of the new formed District of Alaska on July 4, 1884. Arriving at his new post in early September, his only gubernatorial report was submitted in October. In the report he asked for establishment of a legal code and creation of a tax collection agency for the district, a boat to allow the governor to travel within Alaska, expanded financial aid, and initiation of new mail services.

During his term, Kinkead suffered a broken arm and a stroke. He also had to deal with a rift between himself and influential Presbyterian missionary Sheldon Jackson, who differed with the governor on the trustworthiness of the district's mining interests. Upon the instigation of the Alaskan District Attorney, the missionary was arrested on trumped up charges. The resulting scandal gained national attention with the governor receiving a portion of the blame for the incident. Kinkead submitted his resignation on May 9, 1885.

After leaving office, Kinkead returned to Carson City, Nevada and resumed his mining and mercantile efforts. He died on August 15, 1904 and was buried in the Lone Mountain Cemetery.

 
Elizabeth Kinkead (1827-1907)  Elizabeth "Lizzie" Fall was born in Ohio on April 21, 1837 and moved west with her family during the California Gold Rush.  She met John Henry Kinkead in Marysville, California, and the two were married in 1856.  They settled in Carson City in 1860.  The Kinkeads had no children of their own, but adopted a native boy from Alaska, Kahtz Kinkead, who died at the age of 13 in 1872.