Prior to living in Alaska, Albert Barnes Kinne was actively engaged in public affairs in San Francisco, California. He arrived in Nome around 1900, and according to the Polk's Alaska Yukon Directory, was in partnership with photograher, B.B. Dobbs as Dobbs and Kinne, Photographers and Photo Supplies, from around 1903 to 1905/1906. He may also have been associated with the Wild Goose Mining and Trading Co. He went to Council, Alaska, between 1906 and 1910, and established a photographic business in addition to being in charge of the telephone exchange and post office. He was appointed post master in 1914. In 1921, he married Nellie M. They lived in Council City until around 1924, when Kinne returned to Nome and re-entered the mercantile business, temporarily leaving Nellie in Council. Although his business was reportedly thriving, Albert Kinne died in Nome at age 72 on Sept. 20, 1925, of self-inflicted wounds. Nellie soon abandoned their home in Council along with hundreds of his photographs. In 1941, a visitor found the deteriorating boxes of 8 x 10 glass plate negatives.

[Information from William R. Halliday (see: Albert B. Kinne Biography File – Photographer) and The Alaska Weekly (Seattle), Friday, September 25, 1925, page 8.]