Born: Barren County, Kentucky, 1821.
Died: Albion, Nebraska, 1899.
Came with his father's family to Illinois in 1836, settling at Palestine, Woodford County, which was then a part of McLean. Shortly thereafter, he became a Christian under the preaching of Wm. Davenport, and at once a diligent student of the word of God. He carried his Testament in his pocket and in a few years could quote most of it from his memory. In 1852 he lost one of his arms by an accident. This turned him from farming to preaching. His ministerial work was mostly in Woodford County, but it reached over much of central Illinois.
In Iroquois County he was a pioneer, laying the foundation at Watseka, Woodland and Onarga, in the Spring Creek community. In Boone County, Nebraska, he did similar effective work. His preaching produced an intelligent faith in men that lasted and held them steadfast to Christian duty. Mr. Poynter filled a number of civil offices. Of his two sons who reached maturity, the elder, W. A. Poynter, held several honorable positions in the State of Nebraska, one of them being Governor, while the younger, D. J., is still a preacher and an editor there.