LEMUEL KIMPLE
Lemuel
Kimple, of Corydon, is a man of large affairs who is not only
one of the large land owners of Wayne county but is also, as a
result of his activities along agricultural lines, interested
in a number of banks in this section of the commodity. Moreover, he has
attained high rank and prominence in Masonic circles. He was born in West
Virginia, November 29, 1850, a son of George and Margaret
(Lutes) Gartland Kimple.
The father was born in the state of New Jersey, in
August, 1812, and was only six years of age when the
grandfather died, leaving a family of nine children of whom
the father was the seventh in order of birth. Early in life he
had to depend upon himself for his support and as soon as he
had finished his education he apprenticed himself to the
tailoring trade and having acquired a thorough knowledge of
the details of the business opened a shop at Harmony, New
Jersey. In 1837
he removed to Westmoreland county, Pennsylvania, where he
remained until 1839, when another change of residence was made
to Marshall county, West Virginia. Arriving in that state he gave up his
trade and located on a farm which he improved and cultivated
until his death. He
was twice married, wedding in 1833 a Miss Foster, who passed
away several years later in early womanhood. In 1845 he married
Mrs. Margaret Gartland, who was a Miss Lutes before her first
marriage. Mr.
Kimple was the father of ten children, seven of whom were born
of his second marriage, and of this number five are now
living.
Lemuel
Kimple received his early education in the subscription
schools near his father’s home in West Virginia, walking
during the winter for three months two miles every day to the
schoolhouse. During
the summer seasons he worked on the farm of his father,
acquainting himself with the methods of agriculture. In 1876 he came to
Iowa and bought a tract of land at nine dollars per acre which
only six months later he sold, practically doubling his
investment, at a price of seventeen dollars per acre. Ever since he came
to this state he had been largely engaged in farming,
following systematic and progressive methods, and has achieved
success in this line by his industry and energy, investing his
profits in land as opportunity favored, and he is now the
owner of eighteen hundred acres of valuable agricultural
property in this county.
As his income has increased he has made profitable
investments along the banking line, holding a large block of
stock in the First National Bank of Corydon, in the affairs of
which institution he takes active participation as vice
president, and the soundness and stability of this bank and
its yearly increasing business is in no small measure due to
the wise counsel of Mr. Kimple in his capacity as an officer
of the same. He
is also interested to a considerable extent in the Allerton
State Bank and the Clio State Savings Bank. While he has made
farming the principal occupation of his life he has branched
out in a line of business which is intimately connected with
this activity, that of dealing in grain, and for eighteen
years has bought and sold large quantities of this commodity
at Harvard, Iowa. Along
lines with which he has occupied himself his work has always
been of a high order and he has been actuated by that laudable
ambition which invariably results in success. His activities,
however, have been largely constructive in the development of
the agricultural resources of this section and therefore have
greatly contributed to growth and expansion.
Mr.
Kimple married, on the 2d of March, 1876, Miss Josephine Hood,
a native of Virginia and a daughter of Samuel and Elsie
(Gallaher) Hood, natives of that state, of Irish descent. He was married in
West Virginia and brought his wife to Iowa shortly thereafter. Mr. and Mrs. Kimple
became the parents of ten children, eight of whom are living: Emma A., at home;
George Harold, residing at Harvard; Mary Belle, the wife of
Walter West, of Corydon; Lillian B., who married Merton Opp, a
resident of Corydon; Carl W., who looks after his father’s
farming interests; Roxie, a school teacher; Carrie, who died
in infancy; James, attending school; Margaret, at home; and
Ocie, who died at the age of five years. The family are
members of the Methodist church, in which organization they
are prominent, taking an active part in its various branches.
Mr. Kimple’s political affiliations are with the republican party and during his long residence in Corydon he has attained prominence in its local ranks and his advice is often sought along political lines. In 1895 he was put forth as a candidate of his party for the office of county treasurer and was elected by a gratifying majority, serving his constituents with ability for a term of four years, discharging his duties to the satisfaction of all concerned. In the Masonic order he has attained a high rank and is prominent in this body not only in the blue lodge but also as a chapter Mason, and belongs to the council while he holds the office of treasurer of the blue lodge and chapter. Viewed from every angle the life work of Mr. Kimple has been thoroughly effective and he has not only been an interested witness of the changes that have occurred in this section but has been a prominent factor in general advancement. Every measure that makes for the improvement of conditions in this section, for the betterment and welfare of the people, finds in him a ready supporter and by the busy, active and useful life which he lives he contributes not only to his own success but is important in the furtherance of general prosperity in this section which he has helped to make one of the most prosperous farming communities in the middle west. Everything he has undertaken he has done in the spirit of advancement that has carried along others whom he has helped by wise counsel based upon knowledge which he has derived from the experiences of a long and active life. Wayne county and Corydon have been made better and richer by his endeavors.