Sedgwick County KSGenWeb

Portrait And Biographical Album of Sedgwick County, Kan.

Chapman Brothers 1888

Pages 827 - 828

THOMAS K. KIMEL, an honored pioneer of Ninnescah Township, residing on section 8, came to Sedgwick County in 1873. He then pre-empted the land which he now occupies, comprising the northeast quarter of said section, its rich, fertile soil being then in its primitive condition. The town was then sparsely populated, few tracts of land having been sold, and our subject has watched with genuine pride and satisfaction its gradual growth from a struggling hamlet to a thrifty and prosperous township, with well cultivated and well stocked farms, whose substantial dwellings and commodious out-buildings, with their pleasant surroundings, indicate the general prosperity and refinement of the inhabitants.

            Our subject may, in a manner, be said to have become a pioneer of another State in very early life, as he was but eight years of age when his parents removed to Illinois, where they became early settlers of Mercer County, and he, even at that youthful age, did his share in improving a farm, thus receiving a pioneer training, and well understanding the laborious toil, disadvantages and privations incidental to such a life before coming to this county. He was a native of Ohio, born in Trumbull County, that part now known as Portage County, the date of his birth being Feb. 5, 1832. His parents, Henry and Anna M. (Hurst) Kimel, natives of Pennsylvania, were of German and Scotch descent respectively. Phillip Kimel, an uncle of our subject, was a gallant soldier in the War of 1812. Mr. and Mrs. Henry Kimel were the parents of nine children, of whom the following are living: James W., of Iowa; Jonathan T., of Nebraska; Chauncey D., of Washington Territory, and our subject. Jonathan and Chauncey served in the late war. The names of the deceased are as follows: Isaac, Eliza A., Mary J., Julia, and William P., who was killed in the first battle of Ft. Donelson.

            Thomas Kimel, the subject of this sketch, was reared to man's estate in Mercer County, Ill., where he lived until he came to Kansas. His educational advantages were such as were afforded by the schools of that early day in that county. While still a resident of Illinois he was married to Miss Rebecca Mounts, their union being solemnized Nov. 3, 1859, on the seventeenth anniversary of her birth, which was Nov. 3, 1842. She was born in West Virginia, being a daughter of William and Martha (Galloway) Mounts, natives respectively of West Virginia and Pennsylvania. They removed to Mercer County, Ill., with their family when Rebecca was fourteen years old. They were the parents of nine children, five of whom are living: James L., of Wichita; Samuel G., of Peoria, Ill.; George D., of Nodaway County, Mo.; William and Rebecca. The names of those deceased are -- Sarah J., Jonathan, Agnes S. and Indiana T. Jonathan died during the war from sickness contracted on Southern battlefields.

            Our subject is essentially a self-made man, as when he started out in life he had but little means, but by industry, frugality, wise economy, and the co-operation of his wife, while living in Illinois he managed to get a good start and made some money, which by his good management since becoming a citizen of this State, in 1873, he has greatly increased. By incessant toil and skill he has evolved a fine farm from the wild prairie, on which he has erected a handsome residence, a commodious barn, and other convenient farm buildings. He has also increased the original acreage of his farm until he now owns 480 acres of valuable land.

            To our subject and his wife have been born ten children, of whom nine are living, namely: William E.; Martha G., wife of Nelson George, of Wichita; Jonathan M., a teacher in Sedgwick County; Harvey O., Thomas K., Mary R., Abbie M., Samuel G. and Temperance, One died unnamed in infancy.

            Mr. and Mrs. Kimel are highly respected in society and fill an honorable position in this community. Politically, our subject is a warm supporter of the Republican party. Mrs. Kimel is a consistent member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, at Clearwater. A lithographic view is shown on another page of Mr. Kimel's residence.

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