Dr. J. F. Kincheloe, born December 29, 1836, near Athens, Tennessee, was a prominent physician and druggist in Faulkner County, Arkansas. Son of Enoch and Mary (Grisham) Kincheloe, he served in the Union Army during the Civil War and later graduated from the Medical University of Nashville in 1871. Kincheloe married three times, with his spouses being Annie E. Taylor, Mary Virginia Allison, and Mollie J. Robertson, fathering three children. He was active in local education, several fraternal organizations, and the Church of Christ. He died in Cadron Township, where he had established his medical practice and business ventures.
Dr. J. F. Kincheloe, a well-known physician and surgeon, and a prominent druggist of Faulkner County, residing in Cadron Township, was born near Athens, Tenn., on December 29, 1836, and was the third child in a family of six born to Enoch and Mary (Grisham) Kincheloe, natives of the same state, and residents of McMinn County. The father was a small planter there all his life, his death occurring in December 1884, at the age of eighty years, his excellent wife preceding him in 1871, at the age of sixty-five years. The grandfather, Enoch Kincheloe, was a soldier in the War of 1812 and also fought through several Indian wars. The maternal grandfather was also in the War of 1812 and he fought under Gen. Jackson at the Battle of New Orleans.
When a young boy, Kincheloe was reared and instructed in the duties of farm life, attending the schools in his native state. After thoroughly acquiring a good English education, he commenced to read medicine under the guidance of Dr. G. A. Long, but the Civil War breaking out about this time compelled him to give up his study. He sympathized with the Union during that event, and, as is well known, every inducement was brought to bear to get him into the Confederate ranks. He was true to his colors, however, and secretly organized a company for the Federal army, and reported at Cincinnati in November 1862. Previous to that he enlisted in Bradley County, Tenn., as a private, and while in the army secretly recruited his company. Soon after reporting at Cincinnati, he was ordered to Nashville, Tenn., where his company was assigned to the Fourth Tennessee Cavalry and became known as the famous Company A, commanded by Capt. Kincheloe. He remained with this regiment until he was honorably discharged at Nashville in 1864, but soon after he was employed in the quartermaster’s department, where he remained until the winter of 1865.
When the war was closed, he continued in Tennessee and was occupied in teaching school until the year 1869. That year he resumed his medical studies and took a course in the Medical University at Nashville, Tenn., graduating in 1871. Since that time, the Doctor has been actively engaged in the practice of his profession, in connection with which he owns one of the finest drug stores in Faulkner County, and carries a complete stock of everything to be found in a leading establishment of that kind. In 1885 he erected a good brick business house, 66×22, and later on built another brick store 95×24 1/2. Besides these, the Doctor also owns a fine private residence, a good block where he resides, and some good vacant lots.
On February 27, 1862, he was married to Miss Annie E. Taylor, of Tennessee, daughter of Alvah and Emma (White) Taylor, who died in that state many years ago. Mrs. Kincheloe’s grandfather, John Taylor, was a pioneer of Arkansas, who settled on the land which is now the city of Hope. She died of consumption in January 1870, leaving as a result of their union one daughter, who resides at home. In 1873 the Doctor was married in Jackson County, Ala., to Miss Mary Virginia Allison, of Atlanta, a daughter of A. A. and Delana (Butler) Allison, of Virginia and South Carolina, respectively, but this lady died in September 1886, leaving two children: John A. (born December 12, 1876) and Kittie Lee (born July 12, 1880), also one deceased. In 1887 Dr. Kincheloe was married at Little Rock to Miss Mollie J. Robertson, of Tennessee, a daughter of Patrick and Louisa (Ayers) Robertson, who has acquired a good English education.
He has never taken an active part in politics, but has generally voted with the Republican party. Educational matters have a deep interest for him and he has always advocated the education of the poor as well as the rich. In secret orders, the Doctor is a member of Green Grove Lodge No. 107, also of Conway Chapter No. 80, A. F. & A. M., of which he was treasurer for many years. He also belongs to Center Link No. 75, I. O. O. F., and Faulkner Lodge No. 1624, K. of H. and is a charter member and medical examiner of the last-named order, being also a member of the G. A. R. Dr. and Mrs. Kincheloe and their daughter hold memberships in the Church of Christ, of the principles of which the former has ever been an earnest exponent, and a member for thirty-five years. His great-grandfathers on both sides of the family were all soldiers in the Revolution, and served under Gen. Washington.