Frank Kimberley

KIMBERLEY, CLEVERLY, SWALWELL, ANGELO, PEARSON, BENCE, CUNNINGHAM, GROUCH

Posted By: volunteer transcriber
Date: 3/3/2004 at 12:54:54

Frank Kimberley

The life of Frank Kimberley, one of the best known-stock men and agriculturists of Jasper County, has been one of unceasing industry and perseverance and the notably systematic and honorable methods he has followed have won him the unbounded confidence and regard of all who have formed his acquaintance. In looking over the list of worthy citizens of this locality the biographer deems none more worthy of representation in a work of this nature than this honored representative of one of our esteemed pioneer families. He is a man of progressive ideas, plain and straightforward in his relations with his fellow men, obliging and unassuming, which accounts for his universal popularity.

Mr. Kimberley was born in Allamakee County, Iowa, December 20, 1864, and early in life he came with his parents to Jasper County and settled in Clear Creek Township, where he has continued to reside, his parents being among the early settlers of the County and among the best known of her citizens. He is the son of Isaiah and Mary Ann (Cleverly) Kimberley, both natives of England, the father born, in Coventry, April 14, 1824, and the mother in London, January 12, 1832. The father spent his early life in his native land and emigrated to the United States in 1841 and settled in New York City, where he remained a short time, thence went to Massachusetts, where he lived seven years, then returned to England, where he sojourned six months and returned to New York, and in 1854 he came to Allamakee County, Iowa, and lived there twelve years, removing to Jasper County in 1866 and has lived here ever since. His parents, John and Mary Ade, natives of England, spent their early lives there and there the mother died, the father immigrating to America and the older Kimberley died in Jasper County, Iowa at the advanced age of ninety-seven years. Their only other living child besides Isaiah is Elijah, who lives in Nebraska, being now eighty-four years old. William Cleverly, father of Mary Ann Cleverly, a native of Coventry, England, also emigrated to Jasper County, Iowa, and died here at the age of seventy-five years. His wife, Rebecca, a native of England, died when Mrs. Isaiah Kimberley was an infant.

To Isaiah Kimberley and wife were born fifteen children, eight of whom are still living, namely: Harriet Swalwell, born in Herkimer County, New York, June 1, 1852, lives in Clear Creek Township, this County; John, born in Herkimer County, New York, August 3, 1854, also lives in Clear Creek Township; the following seven were born in Allamakee County, Iowa: Ada Angelo, born November 30, 1856, of Maxwell, Iowa; Louisa Jane died when four years old; Ruth Pearson, born September 24, 1860, of Peoria, Iowa; William, born February 28, 1862, of Clear Creek Township; Frank, of this review; twins, a son and a daughter, born March 21, 1866, died in infancy; the six following were born in Jasper County, Iowa: Charles, born November 30, 1867, lives on the old home place in Clear Creek Township: George, born July 5, 1869, who was educated at Drake University, lives at Little Rock, Arkansas; twins, a son and daughter, born July 8, 1871, died in infancy; Stephen Isaiah, born August 29, 1873, died in infancy; Arthur, born October 10, 1874, died in Jasper County, August 26, 1893. Isaiah Kimberley, through industry and good management, has secured a competency and he is the owner of one of the large farms of Clear Creek Township's choice land. He found a wild prairie when he came here and being without means he worked for some time for very low wages. He has taken a keen interest in the welfare of the community. On May 3, 1911, he and his faithful life companion celebrated their sixtieth wedding anniversary.

On March 4, 1894, occurred the marriage of Frank Kimberley and Nettie Bence, who was born in Grundy County, Iowa, December 8, 1875. Her parents, Francis and Mary Ann (Cunningham) Bence, the former a native of New York and the latter of Illinois, are residing at Collins, this County. There were six children in the Bence family, as follows: Elmer lives in Story County, where Mrs. Nellie Grouch also resides; Nettie, wife of Mr. Kimberley, of this review; Lillie died in early life; Lester lives in Bondurant, Iowa; Frank lives in Collins. These children were reared in Marshall County. To Mr. and Mrs. Frank Kimberley two sons have been born, Charles Wyatt, born December 29, 1895, is assisting in the care of the home farm, Leroy Francis, born August 10, 1898, died in April 1901.

Mr. Kimberley has been very successful in a business way, in fact he is one of the largest and best known farmers in central Iowa, and his persistent and straightforward efforts have brought a large measure of success which he deserves, having worked hard and dealt honestly with his fellow men. He and his brother John are the owners of over two thousand acres of choice land in various parts of Iowa, which they manage well and keep under a high state of cultivation. They are also extensive raisers of livestock. Mr. Kimberley, of this review, has one of the finest residences in this locality, modern, well furnished and attractive, and numerous substantial farm buildings on his place. He has every convenience. In his cozy home is to be found a good library and he keeps well informed on current topics. His hospitable home is the frequent gathering place for the many friends of the family. Politically, Mr. Kimberley is a Democrat. He was an active member of the board of education in his home district for a period of twenty years and he is treasurer of the district at the present time. Mrs. Kimberley is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church of Clear Creek Township.

The subject and his brother, mentioned above, secured their start by selling imported horses in this territory. They are among the heaviest horse buyers in this section of Iowa, and are widely known as horsemen, there being no better judge of horses in the country than his brother, J. B. Their fine stock are always greatly admired by all who see them.

- source: Past and Present of Jasper County Iowa; Gen. James B. Weaver, editor-in-chief, B.F. Bowden & Co., Indianapolis, Indiana, 1912; pg. 1148
- transcribed by Ernie Braida