One of the earliest settlers in Canton Township was Elisha Kinyon; he and his wife Dilla first bought land in the area in 1831.[2] Elisha's son Orrin bought 120 acres (49 ha) from his father in 1834,[2] and in 1835 he married Roxanne Fairman.[3] The couple had eight children between 1836 and 1856, all sons,[3] and built this house in 1850. Only three of the couple's sons survived to adulthood; family tradition recounts that in 1849, Roxanne Kinyon accidentally poisoned two of her sons, and every day thereafter visited their graves for the rest of her life.[3]
Orrin Kinyon was active in township government, serving as Highway Commissioner, School Inspector, Justice of the Peace, constable, and Poor Director between 1835 and 1865.[2]
Description
The Orrin and Roxanne Fairman Kinyon House is a Greek Revival farmhouse, of post and beam construction, sided with wood and sitting on a stone foundation.[2] The rear room was once a summer kitchen, but at some point was integrated into the house proper.[2] Although the house sits on reduced acreage, outbuildings and the remains of an orchard still exist on the property.[2]
