Rev. Reuben Kimball and son Edward Payson Kimball

History of New Hampshire
By Everett S. Stackpole
Five Volumes
Vol V, P 253-4

Kimball is a name to conjure with in New Hampshire, and has been nobly borne by many since introduced into New England by Richard Kimball in 1634, but by none more worthily than by Rev. Reuben Kimball, a minister of the Congregational church, and his eldest son, Edward Payson Kimball, a banker, business man, and eminent citizen of Portsmouth, New Hampshire, whose useful life is the inspiration of this tribute to the memory of a just and upright man.  The godly life of the father was the inspiration of the son, and when that father was not, for God took him, his examples and teachings were ever emulated by the son, and he lived as the father lived, true to the obligations of manhood and citizenship.

Rev. Reuben Kimball, born in Warner, New Hampshire, April 29, 1803, died in North Conway, November 18, 1871.  He remained with his parents at the home farm until after his marriage, obtaining a good education in the meantime in the public school and Academy.  He studied at Gilmanton Theological Seminary after his marriage, and was ordained pastor of the Congregational church at Kittery Point, Maine, in 1841, having been licensed to preach by the Hopkinton Association in 1840.  Nine years were spent as pastor of the Kittery Point Church, followed by five years at Andover and Wilmot, then in 1855 he began his long pastorate at Conway.  There he preached twice every Sunday, his congregation being at Conway Corner and North Conway, the churches being four miles apart.  He continued until 1869, when his health broke badly and he retired from the ministry.  The two following years were serene and peaceful ones, although oppressed by bodily suffering.  He labored to the last in Bible distribution, and when bodily weakness compelled him to give up that work, his only regret was that he had not been able to carry out all his plans.  His knowledge of the Bible was marvelous, his faith in its devotion all embracing, his ministry fruitful and his end blessed.  He married, May 21, 1829, Judith Colby, who died at the age of seventy-three, daughter of John and Sarah Colby, of Warner, New Hampshire.  She was a true "Mother in Israel," a helpmeet in every sense from the time she encouraged him to attend the Theological Seminary until he closed his eyes in final sleep.  Then alone she guided her footsteps for nearly thirty years, never lacking the love and closest devotion of her children.

Edward Payson Kimball, of the eighth American generation, eldest son and third child of Rev. Reuben and Judith (Colby) Kimball, was born in Warner, New Hampshire, July 4, 1834, and died at his home in Portsmouth, New Hampshire.  The years of his minority were spent in acquiring an education and preparing for the battle of life, the public schools of Kittery and Hampton and Andover academies (Maine) contributing their advantages toward his mental equipment.  he spent the years, 1855-57, in mercantile life at Kittery, Maine, but in 1857 secured a clerkship in the Piscataqua Exchange Bank of Portsmouth, New Hampshire, and moved his residence to that city, which was ever afterward his home.  He continued with the Piscataqua Exchange and Portsmouth Savings banks until 1871, when he was made cashier of the First National Bank of Portsmouth.  He held that position eleven year years, 1871-82, then was elected president of the bank, a high office he filled until his death.  He was essentially the business man and had large interests in Portsmouth and vicinity, he also acquired large property interests in the West.  Able, honorable and upright, he labored ever with a definite aim, and so conserved was his energy that he was always alert and fit even when the years had grown heavy.

A Republican from his youth, he held several offices, but more with a view to proper legislation and business interest than a desire for official honors.  He was an ardent supporter of party principles, was influential in party councils, and consulted in the larger affairs of state politics.  He served in the city government as councilman, and in 1885-86 was a member of the State Legislature.  he was a lifetime member of the Congregational church, and in 1871 was elected a deacon of the North Church, Portsmouth, an office he ever afterward held.  Prior to 1871 he had been clerk and treasurer, his official relation with the North Church beginning in 1867.  He was not only a personal worker in church and charity, but a liberal giver, his benefactions aiding greatly the public state educational institutions and the benevolent and charitable private organizations.  He served the Portsmouth School Board, the Cottage Hospital, the Chase Home for Children, the Seaman's Friend Society, the Howard Benevolent Association, and the Young Men's Christian Association in official capacity, being president of the two last named.  He was in no sense a nominal member of the organizations named, but a diligent worker to attain the ends for which each society was formed.  He derived keen, personal satisfaction in beholding the new and beautiful Young Men's Christian Association building arise, perhaps no act of his life giving him greater pleasure than the fact that he was largely instrumental in its erection.  He was an Odd Fellow and a trustee of Piscataqua Lodge of that order in Portsmouth.

Mr. Kimball married, in Wilmot, New Hampshire, September 13, 1864, Martha June Thompson, born there, daughter of Colonel Samuel and Anna True (Smith) Thompson.  Mr. and Mrs. Kimball were the parents of three children:  Elizabeth Colby, born January 27, 1866, died March 7, 1880; Martha Smith, a graduate of Smith College, class of "92"; and Edward Thompson, born September 29, 1873, a graduate of Amherst College, class of "96".