Richard J. Hinton (Blackmar, 1912)

Hinton, Richard J., journalist, who was for many years intimately connected with Kansas affairs, was born in London, England, Nov. 26, 1830. His early life was a struggle with poverty. He learned the stonecutter's trade, and notwithstanding the hardships to which he was subjected, managed to secure through his own efforts a good, practical education. He became interested in social and political problems, with the result that he wanted to be a citizen of a republic, and in 1851 he came to the United States. In New York he learned the printer's trade and studied medicine and topographical engineering. On Aug 31, 1856, he arrived in Lawrence, Kan., and for some time after that was engaged as a correspondent for various newspapers in New England, New York and Cleveland, Ohio. Early in 1862, he was commissioned first lieutenant to recruit and drill colored troops, being the first man in the United States to receive such a commission. Mr. Hinton held several positions of trust and responsibility. He was the reporter of the Leaven- worth constitutional convention and of the impeachment court of 1862. In 1867 he was appointed commissioner of immigration; was later made inspector of United States consulates in Europe, and in 1873 he was President Grant's special agent at Vienna. He wrote a great deal on subjects relating to Kansas, and was the author of a historical work entitled "The War on the Border." About the beginning of the present century Mr. Hinton returned to his native land and died in London on Dec. 20, 1901.