Pages 673-674, transcribed by Carolyn Ward from History of Allen and Woodson Counties, Kansas: embellished with portraits of well known people of these counties, with biographies of our representative citizens, cuts of public buildings and a map of each county / Edited and Compiled by L. Wallace Duncan and Chas. F. Scott. Iola Registers, Printers and Binders, Iola, Kan.: 1901; 894 p., [36] leaves of plates: ill., ports.; includes index.



 

  WOODSON COUNTIES, KANSAS. 673 cont'd

RICHARD KIMBELL.

RICHARD KIMBELL, who is now engaged in the breeding and sale of fine horses in Yates Center, was born in Oxfordshire, England, April 19, 1848, and is a son of Richard and Emma Freeman Kimbell, both of whom spent their entire lives in England and are now deceased. The father was a farmer by occupation. In their family were four children, our subject being the only son. Two of the number remained in England but one sister, Mrs. Wilkes, is now living in Wildomar, Cal. After the death of his first wife the father was again married, and by that union there were seven children, one of whom is in the United States—Mrs. Clarke, of Los Angeles, Cal.

Upon the family homestead in England, Richard Kimbell, of this sketch spent his youth. He acquired a good English education and at the age of twenty-five years he bade adieu to friends and native land preparatory to becoming a resident of America. Sailing from Liverpool on a westward bound vessel he landed at New York city and thence made his way to Kane County, Ill., where he engaged in farming. In 1877 he came on a prospecting tour to Kansas and being pleased with the country and its prospects he decided to locate in this state. Accordingly he arrived in Woodson County, in February, 1878, locating in Liberty township, where he rented land for thirteen years. He then purchased property and continued farming and stock raising until 1900 when he sold his farm and came to Yates Center. Here he is engaged in handling fine horses, of which he is an excellent judge, so that he makes judicious purchases, and in consequence ready sales as he places his horses upon the market. His business methods will merit the closest inspection, and his well known probity has been an important factor in his success. He has excellent accommodations in the way of stables for his horses in Yates Center, and the business which he has carrried[sic] on for some years is proving profitable.

Ere leaving England, Mr. Kimbell was united in marriage to Miss Harriet Louise Hartley, a daughter of Henry and Caroline Hartley, late of Stratford on Avon Warwickshire. Their children are: Edward R., a

674 HISTORY OF ALLEN AND  

farmer of Woodson County, who married Louisa B. Smith; Harry H., of Yates Center; Caroline E., wife of Carl Reynolds, of Savonburg, Kas., and Fannie L. Mr. Kimbell usually votes with the Democratic party but is not greatly interested in politics. He is now a Past Master Mason, and is also a valued member of the Knights of Pythias fraternity, and the Order of Red Men. The hope which led him to come to the United States has been realized in his increased fortune and he has found here a pleasant home and friends of worth whom he prizes, while at the same time his friendship is greatly prized by them.


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