Sedgwick County KSGenWeb

Portrait And Biographical Album of Sedgwick County, Kan.

Chapman Brothers 1888

Pages 797 - 798

CHRISTIAN KIMMERLE, one of the retired business men and capitalists of Wichita, is possessor of one of its most beautiful residences, which occupies No. 1204 North Market street. A view of this elegant structure we give in connection with this brief outline of the life of its fortunate owner. He was for many years one of the leading builders and contractors of the city, to which he came in 1870, and in the fall of that year constructed the first brick chimney and laid the first solid foundation which marked the commencement of the embryo city destined to assume such importance in the future. For five years thereafter he was one of the first stone and brick contractors of the city, and in 1875 extended his interests to marble and stone cutting, in which he laid the foundation of his little fortune.

            The Empire of Germany has very largely contribute the men who assisted in the development of the great West, and among these is our subject. His first recollections are of a modest, home in the Kingdom of Wurtemberg, where he first opened his eyes to the light Oct. 4, 1845. His parents, Martin and Catherine (Baier) Kimmerle, were of pure German ancestry, and the father, a mechanic all his life, died when his son Christian was but three years of age. The mother, who was born in 1810, is still living in her native land. They were members of the Lutheran Church, and reared their children to those habits of industry and principles of honor which made of them good citizens and respected wherever they were known.  The eldest son, John, continues in his native Province; Catherine married Jacob Kurtz, and is living in Wurtemberg; Magdalena is the wife of Jacob Schmidt, of Wurtemberg; John J. and George H. are in New Jersey and Kansas; Christian, of our sketch, was the youngest of the family.

            Mr. Kimmerle, when twenty years of age, began his apprenticeship as a stonecutter, which he followed in his native Germany until 1867. When landing upon American soil he proceeded directly westward, arriving in this County in time to assist in the building of the State capitol. At an early period he was recognized by the people of community as a valued accession to their midst, and after a laudable business career was elected City Treasurer in 1880; which office be held for a period of five years. In 1881 he revisited the Fatherland, taking with him his wife and niece, and remaining there through the Summer. In 1887, he, accompanied by his two brothers and a nephew, crossed the Atlantic again, each time feeling refreshed in mind and body, and considering that his money and time were well spent. 

            Mr. Kimmerle, while a resident of Topeka, and after passing his twenty-fourth birthday, was united in marriage with Miss Paulina Gardner, the wedding taking place at the home of the bride Feb. 22, 1870. Mrs. K., a native of the same country as her husband, was born in Wurtemberg, June 15, 1852. Her parents emigrated to America when she was quite young, and coming directly to this State located in Riley County, where the father died in 1878. He was a farmer by occupation, and the parental household included six children. The mother had preceded her husband to the silent land ten years. Mr. Kimmerle, for a period of eight years, was the partner of Mr. Charles Adams, of Wichita. He invested a portion of his capital in city real estate, and besides his home is the owner of four stores here, and two in Kingman, this State. He has traveled a great deal during the last twelve years, and while on the Pacific Slope invested in some lots at San Diego, Cal.

            Mr. and Mrs. Kimmerle have an adopted child, Mary, who is a bright girl fourteen years of age. Mr. K. is a member of the Lutheran Church, and his wife belongs to the Catholic Church. The former votes the straight Republican ticket, upon which he was elected to the City Treasuryship. Socially, he belongs to the I. O. O. F.

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