Historical Collections of Ohio, Vol 2, by Henry Howe. (published 1888)
Vinton County, Page 731

    This county is named in honor of Samuel Finley Vinton, one of Ohio's
eminent statesmen of a past generation.  Mr. Vinton is a direct descendant of
John Vinton, of Lynn, Mass, whose name occurs in the county records of 1648.
The tradition is that the founder of the family in this country was of French
origin, by the name of De Vintonne, and he was exiled from France on account
of his being a Huguenot.  Mr. Vinton was born in the State of Massachusetts,
September 25, 1792, graduated at Williams College in 1814, and soon after
1816 established himself in the law at Gallipolis.  In 1822 he was,
unexpectedly to himself, nominated and then elected to Congress, an office to
which he continued to be elected by constantly increasing majorities for
fourteen years, when he voluntarily withdrew for six years, to be again sent
to Congress for six years longer, when he declined any further Congressional
service, thus serving in all twenty years.
    Mr. Vinton originated and carried through the House many measures of
very great importance to the country.  During the period of the war with
Mexico, he was Chairman of the Committee of Ways and Means, and at this particular
juncture his financial talent was of very great service to the nation.
During his entire course of public life he had ably opposed various schemes
for the sale of the public lands that he felt, if carried out, would be
squandering the nation's patrimony.  He originated and carried through the
House, against much opposition, the law which created the Department of the
Interior.  Hon. Thomas Ewing wrote of him: "Though for ten or fifteen years
he had more influence in the House of Representatives, much more than any
man in it, yet the nation never has fully accorded to him his merits.  He
was a wise, persevering, sagacious statesman; almost unerring in his
perceptions of the right, bold in pursuing and skillful in sustaining it.
He always held a large control over the minds of men with whome he acted."
    In 1851 Mr. Vinton was the unsuccessful Whig candidate for Governor of
Ohio.  In 1853 he was for a short time President of the Cleveland ad Toledo
Railroad and then, after 1854, continuous resided in Washington City until
his death, May 11, 1862.  There he occasionally argued cases before the
Supreme Court, and with remarkable success, from his habits of patient
investigation and clear analysis.  He exhausted every subject he discussed
and presented his thoughts without rhetorical flourish, but with wonderful
lucidity.  His use of the English language was masterful, and he delighted
in wielding words of Saxon strength.
    In accordance with his dying request he was buried in the cemetery at
Gallipolis, beside the remains of his wife, Romaine Madeleine Bureau, the
daughter of one of the most respected French immigrants.  His only surviving
child is Madeleine Vinton Dahlgren, noticed on page 681 of his work.  "Mr.
Vinton was of slight frame, but of great dignity of presence.  His mile and
clear blue eye was very penetrating, and his thin, compressed lips evinced
determination of character.  His manner was composed and calm, but very suave
and gentle, scarcely indicating the great firmness that distinguished him."