-------------------------------
biography from Portrait & Biographical Album of Mahaska Co., Iowa, 1887
JAMES W. HINESLEY, Justice of the Peace and Notary Public at Oskaloosa, and a resident of Mahaska County since 1855, was born in Indianapolis, Ind., in March, 1832. He is a son of John W. and Almira (Gould) Hinesley, and was orphaned by the death of his father when nine years of age. When thirteen years old Mr. Hinesley went to Ha??ison, Hamilton Co., Ohio, where, under the instruction of his uncle, he learned the blacksmith's trade and followed the same for some twelve years. Returning to Indianapolis, he spent two years working at his trade, and was there married, June 23, 1854, Miss Sarah E., daughter of William McWhorter, being the other contracting party. She was born in Indianapolis, and bore our subject one child, George W., now a resident of Louisville, Ky. The loving wife departed this life March 18, 1855, at Indianapolis. That same year Mr. Hinesley went to Kansas, but in September came to this county and located at Indianapolis, where he at once engaged in working at his trade and was thus occupied until 1863. Our subject formed a second matrimonial alliance, April 3, 1856, at which time Miss Hannah J., daughter of Moses and Mary Atwood, became his wife. She was born in New Hampshire, but her parents subsequently removed to Georgetown, Mass., where she was reared to womanhood. Of her union with our subject four children have been born, three daughters and one son, only two of whom are living: William F. married Miss Ida J. Kemble, and is residing at Oskaloosa, where he is engaged in the manufacture of cigars, and in the wholesale and retail tobacco business; Mary Almira died in infancy; Sarah L. died at the age of eighteen months; Ida M. is the wife of William E. Kemble, and they are living at Oskaloosa, where he is interested in a vegetable garden and greenhouse. On the 4th of July, 1860, our subject, by the premature discharge of an improvised cannon at Indianapolis, lost his left arm. He was Assessor for two terms, and also Constable, and in the fall of 1863 was elected Sheriff of his county. He then moved to Oskaloosa, where he entered upon the duties of his office, and which position he continued to fill, to the entire satisfaction of the people, for ten years, the date of his vacating being Jan. 1, 1874. He was then interested for a short time in the furniture business; then in the grocery trade for two years; then received the appointment of Justice of the Peace to fill a vacancy, and in the fall of 1878 was elected to that position. He has been re-elected continuously to that office ever since, which is proof sufficient that he is not only qualified for the position, but is held in high esteem by the citizens of the county. He and his wife are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church. Politically he is an ardent Republican, and socially a member of the I. O. O. F. and K. of P. Mr. Hinesley has voted the Republican ticket since 1856, his first vote being cast for John C. Fremont, and his last for the "Plumed Knight of Maine."
Portrait & Biographical Album of Mahaska Co., Iowa, 1887
Mahaska County, Iowa Genealogy