Portrait and Biographical Record of Suffolk County (Long Island) New York/Capt. Charles F. Kinner

by Geoffrey Chapman

Capt. Charles F. Kinner is one of the most respected and venerable figures of the early life on the island that is familiar to the vision of the present generation. He was born in Port Jefferson in 1829, being the son of Caleb and Maria (Davis) Kinner, natives of this county, who spent their lives within its borders. His father, who was a seaman, followed that occupation until within five years of his death, which occurred in 1875. His wife died the year before his demise. Grandfather Jeremiah Kinner was born in this county, and died at the age of eighty-two. Our subject had but a limited education, and went to sea while still a mere boy. But courage and persistence and a large measure of native ability did their work, and he rose to the command of a vessel before he had reached the age of twenty-one. From that time until today he has "sailed the waters blue." For the past thirty years he has been engaged in yachting, and is now master of the famous yacht Nirvana. He has been twice married, first in 1852 to Miss Mary F. Sturtevant, who died in 1858, leaving one child, Sarah, now the wife of Captain Daniel Smith, of this village. His second wife, Annie E. Homan, whom he married July 15, 1862, was a native of Bellport, and two children, Charles and Joseph, blessed their union. Captain Kinner is a member of the Masonic order, and for forty years has found much profit and delight in its broad and inspiring teaching. During his long and active life it is not too much to say that he has found its opportunities of brotherhood of vast value to his better life. For a number of years he was an Odd Fellow. The three links of the fraternity have signified strong elements in his character, and while the order has been of value to him, he has also helped it.