William R. Kinder, county surveyor of Miami county, and widely known as an efficient civil engineer, paving and drainage expert, has occupied this office since 1919 and during his administration of its affairs has contributed materially to the development of the locality under his jurisdiction. Mr. Kinder, a resident of Troy, was born in Staunton township, this county, October 21, 1878, a son of Albert and Lettie (Rusk) Kinder, and a grandson of John Kinder, who was born in Pennsylvania and was an early settler of Warren county, Ohio. Albert Kinder was born in Warren county, but has lived the greater part of his life in Miami county and is well and favorably known as an influential farmer and stock raiser in this county. Lettie (Rusk) Kinder, the daughter of William and Mary Rusk, was born in Shelby county but came to Miami county with her parents in her girlhood, where she resided after her marriage with her husband until her death. Albert Kinder and his wife were the parents of five children: William R.; Albert, a resident of Texas; John, who resides at Casstown, Ohio; Mary, who married Charles P. Rogers of that place, and Effie, who is unmarried. William R. Kinder attended the graded schools of Lost Creek township, following which he pursued a course in civil engineering at Ohio State University and completed his preparation for his profession by taking a like course at the Ohio Northern University, from which he was duly graduated with the degree of civil engineer in 1904. When he left college he became engaged in construction work first with the Springfield, Troy & Piqua Traction Company, then for the Big Four Railroad Company and subsequently was identified with construction work at Buffalo, N. Y., for the Buffalo & Lake Erie Traction Company. After leaving this work, Mr. Kinder spent six years as resident engineer on an irrigation project for the Bitter Root Valley Irrigation Company in Montana. Here he contributed materially to the development of this semi-desert country, helping to transform a large area from a sagebrush plain to a prosperous farming and orchard community, to establish churches and schools and taking part in all other movements so necessary in the development of a new country. After the completion of his part in this big enterprise he returned to Ohio and became deputy county surveyor of Miami county, a position which he retained for five years, in the meantime acting as resident engineer at Troy for the State Highway Department. In 1918 he was elected county surveyor of Miami county, taking office in September, 1919, and being elected for a second term in 1920. He has had charge of the greater part of the road paving done in Miami county, and has established numerous methods which has put his office on a business- like basis, and enjoys a well-merited reputation for efficiency in engineering, paving, and drainage work. Mr. Kinder married Emma R., daughter of James and Anna Gross, of Casstown, Ohio, and they have had two children: James Albert, deceased, and Ruth Analetta. Mr. Kinder took an active part in all war activities and has identified, himself with various civic movements. He is an active member of the Ohio Engineering Society and the Northwestern Ohio County Surveyors' Association. He is also a member of the Presbyterian church.