John S. Hinckley was one of the earliest settlers of Mankato and a key figure in its early civic and physical development.

Born June 30, 1816, in New London, Connecticut, Hinckley learned the painter’s trade before moving west in 1849 to St. Paul, Minnesota. In February 1852, he came to Mankato with Henry Jackson and others as part of the original townsite company, helping establish what was then a very small frontier settlement. The following year, he built a shanty on the site where the National Citizens Bank would later stand.

In 1854, Hinckley pre-empted ten acres of land on Agency Hill, much of which he later platted as an addition to the city. This area became known as Hinckley’s Addition in East Mankato. His land holdings and development efforts played an important role in the city’s expansion.

Hinckley was also active in public service. He was appointed by the governor to serve on the first Board of County Commissioners of Blue Earth County, alongside J. W. Babcock and James Hanna. Known for his integrity and public spirit, he took an active role in community matters during Mankato’s early years.

One of his most lasting contributions came in support of education. During a time of disagreement over building a proper school, Hinckley offered to donate the land on which the Union School was eventually built. His donation helped resolve the dispute and allowed the project to move forward, resulting in one of the city’s first significant school buildings.

In 1854, he married Angeline Bivers, widow of Henry Jackson, a prominent early settler and one of the founders of both St. Paul and Mankato. Angeline herself had been among the earliest white settlers in St. Paul. She died in 1884, having shared in many of the hardships and achievements of early frontier life.

Hinckley remained a respected figure in Mankato throughout his life, known for his honesty and steady character. He died on November 23, 1906, at the age of 90, following complications from kidney trouble and heart disease. His passing marked the loss of one of the last links to Mankato’s earliest days.

He was buried in Glenwood Cemetery, and members of the Territorial Old Settlers’ Association attended his funeral in recognition of his role in the founding and development of the community.