History of Merrimack County

History of Merrimack and Belknap Counties, New Hampshire
By D. Hamilton Hurd
1885

Page 40b

In 1814 the matter of having a permanent habitation came up in the Legislature, and the members wisely concluded that the wandering life theretofore led by the honorable body and the exposure of its records to loss in consequence of frequent removals, as well as to destruction by fire for want of proper vaults, was not conducive to the best interests of the State, and accordingly, on the 6th day of June of that year, a committee was appointed by the Legislature "to take into consideration the expediency of building a State-House, and report where, and the time when, it will be expedient to commence the building," etc. ... The report was accepted, and a committee, consisting of Hon. John Harris, of Hopkinton, Benjamin Kimball, Jr., of Concord, and Andrew Bowers, of Salisbury, was appointed.

Page 51

The Insane Asylum

In 1846, and at subsequent times, the State, as trustee for the asylum, received, in partial payments from the estate of Jacob Kimball, of Hampstead, a legacy amounting to six thousand seven hundred and forty-three dollars and forty-nine cents, the interest of which is annually paid by the State treasurer to the asylum.

Page 57

History of Concord

The township was granted January 17, 1725. The petition for the grant was as follows:

-Included in the six names are David Kimbel/Kimball

A a meeting of the proprietors, held at Andover February 7 and 8, 1726, the following settlers drew lots:

-Included in the names are: David Kimball, Samuel Kimball and Robert Kimball

Robert, Samuel and David Kimball were from Bradford (MA). Probably the latter only finally settled in Concord. He was the father of Captain Reuben Kimball. He died November 20, 1745.

Page 68-9

South Congregational Church

In the evening of the 1st day of February, 1837, the South Congregational Church was organized with sixty-seven members, all from the First Congregational Church in Concord, as follows:

Names include - David Kimball, Elizabeth E. Kimball (David), Mary Ann Kimball

Deacons included: David Kimball, elected March 3, 1842, Charles Kimball, elected January 28, 1875

page 84-86

The Press

The New Hampshire Observer was published by Chadwick & Little until February 6, 1835, when, Mr. Little having died, Rev. David Kimball became associated with Mr. Chadwick, who retired March 25, 1836. January 4, 1839, the name was changed to Christian Panoply. January 1, 1841, the paper became the property of David Kimball and Henry Wood, Congregational clergymen, and the name was changed to Congregational Journal.

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The first number of the Abolitionist, published by D.D. Fisk and E.G. Eastman, appeared January 24, 1835. After four numbers it was published by Albe Cady, George Storrs, George Kent and Amos Wood, and issued as the Herald of Freedom, the first number being dated March 7, 1835. Joseph Horace Kimball became editor and Elbridge G. Chase printer. The connection of Mr. Kimball with the Herald continued until disease forbade his longer continuance. His valedictory appeared March 24, 1838, and he died on the 11th of the following April.

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The New Hampshire Statesman was founded by Luther Roby, who moved from Amherst, NH to Concord, and became its printer and publisher. Amos A. Parker, in practice of law at Epping, as engaged to conduct it. The first number bears date Concord, January 6, 1823. Mr. Roby published the paper until June, 1823, when his connection with it ceased. He continued many years in the business of book-printing, until he abandoned it and engaged in developing the granite quarrying interest in Concord, in which he was the pioneer. In the later years of his life he engaged in the manufacture of glassware in Lyndeborough, NH He returned to Concord, where he died February 22, 1883. He was born January 8, 1801.

June 1, 1823, the Statesman became the property of Amos A. Parker, its conductor during the five months of its infancy.

June 1, 1824, George Hough commenced and published the Concord Register, which was edited by George Kimball. Mr. Parker, October 17, 1825, transferred the Statesman property to George Kimball, to which he united the "list" of the Register, and continued the publication of a paper under the united name of the New Hampshire Statesman and Concord Register, the first publication bearing date October 22, 1825. Mr. Parker still lives, and resides in Glastonberry, Conn., at the age of eighty-nine.

December 3, 1825, Thomas G. Wells, publisher of the Amherst Herald, purchased an interest in the Statesman and Register, to which he united the subscription list of the Herald, and the paper was published by Kimball & Wells. February 11, 1826, Mr. Wells sold his interest in the paper to Asa McFarland and Moses G. Atwood. July 29, 1826, Mr. Kimball disposed of his newspaper property to George Kent.

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The Star in the East and New Hampshire Universalist was first issued on April 12, 1832, by Kimball & Adams. It was conducted by Rev. John G. Adams until August 5, 1837, when it was merged in The Trumpet, a Universalist paper, published in Boston, by Rev. Thomas Whittemore; Rev. Moses Ballou, of Porstmouth, was assistant editor.

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Priestcraft Exposed, a semi-monthly publication, was issued here in 1833, 1834 and 1835 by Hayes & Kimball, a part of which time it was published in an enlarged form as The Expositor.

Page 91-93

Banks

The Mechanics' Bank was incorporated July 5, 1834, and charter extended June 22, 1853. Closed its affairs, 1865. Last officers: Josiah Minot, president, Charles Minot, cashier. Minot & Co., bankers (Josiah and Charles Minot) commenced business January, 1866.

Reorganized as Mechanics' National Bank January 3, 1880. Capital $100,000. Officers: Josiah Minot, president; B.A. Kimball, vice-president; James Minot, cashier. Directors: Josiah Minot, Benjamin A. Kimball, Joseph B. Walker, Edward H. Rollins, Chas. H. Amsden, John M. Hill, Sargent C. Whitaker.

Officers, 1885: B.A. Kimball, president; Joseph B. Walker, vice-president; James Minot, cashier. Directors: B. A. Kimball, Joseph B. Walker, Josiah Minot, Charles H Amsden, Edward H Rollins, John Kimball, John M. Hill.

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The New Hampshire Savings-Bank was organized in July, 1830.
At a meeting held the 21st day of July, 1830 the board of trustees was set up - Samuel A. Kimball included. The bank has had six presidents - including Samuel S. Kimball

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The Merrimack County Savings-Bank was incorporated July 2, 1867, and organized May 3, 1870. John Kimball has been the only treasurer since beginning as well as being on the Board of Trustees as well. Trustees have also included John's brother Benjamin A. Kimball since beginning.

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The Penacook Savings-Bank was incorporated in 1869. The original incorporators included Austin G. Kimball

Page 99

Fire Department

In 1825, and for some years later, there were only two small fire-engines in the main village. Among the engine-men of 1827 was S. A. Kimball.

Manufacturing Interests

The Page Belting Company is a representative establishment. The goods manufactured by this company have taken high rank in the commercial world, and branches for the sale of the goods are now established in Boston, St. Louis, New York and Chicago. This company was incorporated in 1872. Benjamin A. Kimball one of 7 directors.

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Ford & Kimball, brass and iron founders, are doing a large business. This establishment was founded in 1865. The firm consists of Theodore H. Ford and Benjamin A. Kimball.

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The Concord Gas-Light Company was incorporated in 1854. Capital, one hundred thousand dollars. John Kimball, president; Sylvester Dana, clerk; John M. Hill, treasurer and agent; William Badger, superintendent; Seth Eastman, John Kimball, John H. George, Josiah Minot, Edward H. Rollins, Sylvester Dana, Josiah B. Sanborn, directors.

The company has laid more than seventeen miles of main-pipe. There are about eleven hundred consumers and one hundred and ninety street lights.

Page 118

The Rolfe and Rumford Asylum was founded in 1852 by the Countess of Rumford, and was opened for the reception of inmates January, 1880. It is situated on Hall Street, near Water. This asylum is for destitute native female children of Concord. Joseph B. Walker, president; S.S. Kimball, treasurer; Enoch Gerrish, secretary; Francis A. Fisk, Joseph B. Walker, Jesse P. Bancroft, Enoch Gerrish, Samuel S. Kimball, trustees.

The following is a list of plantation, parish and town clerks (Concord) from 1732 to 1885: John Kimball, 1778 to 1786

Page 124

The French and Indian Wars. - In the struggle known as the French and Indian Wars this town contributed its full share of men and money. The following is a list of those who entered the service: David Kimball, Asa Kimball

Page 144-147

John Kimball
Written by William E. Chandler.

An honorable ancestry is a source of gratification, if not of merit, and from it noble traits of character are undoubtedly often inherited. It is therefore to be noted in considering biography.

1. Richard and Ursula Kimball, with seven children, came from Ipswich, England, April 10, 1634 and settled in Watertown, but in 1637 moved to Ipswich, Mass. He died June 22, 1675, having had eleven children. From this Puritan family have sprung most of the Kimballs in New England.

2. Their son, Richard, was born in England in 1623; settled in Wenham, Mass., as early as 1656; married Mary Gott, had eight children, and died May 26, 1676.

3. His son, Caleb, was born in Wenham April 9, 1665. He was of Exeter, N.H., having moved there from Wenham. He married Sarah -----, had eight children, and died in Wenham January 20, 1731-32.

4. His son, John, was born in Wenham December 20, 1699; settled in Exeter, and married Abigail Lyford, February 14, 1722-23, who was the mother of six children, and died in Exeter, February 12, 1737-38. He married Sarah Wilson, of Exeter, September 18, 1740, who had nine children.

5. His son by his first marriage, Joseph, was born in Exeter, January 29, 1730-31. After an early marriage, the wife and two children of which died, he amrried Sarah Smith, who gave birth to nine children, and died March 1, 1808, and he died November 6, 1814. he had moved to Canterbury as early as 1788, and settled on a farm just north of the Shakers. He had the misfortune to lose his eyesight before he left Exeter; consequently he never looked on the town of Canterbury, where he resided twenty-six years, and six of his children were born after he became blind.

6. His son, John, was born in Exeter November 20, 1767; married Sarah, daughter of Benjamin Moulton, of Kensington, November 21, 1793; moved to Canterbury February 14, 1794, and settled on their homestead, north of Shaker village, where they resided nearly sixty years, having nine children, the wife dying April 30, 1853, and he February 26, 1861, at the age of ninety-three years, three months and six days. To farming he added the business of a wheelwright and manufacturer of agricultural implements, and occasionally that of a builder.

7. His son, Benjamin, was born in Canterbury December 27, 1794; married Ruth, daughter of David Ames, February 1, 1820. After continuing two years with his father on the farm, and two years on a farm in Northfield, he settled in Boscawen in the spring of 1824, on the farm known as the Frost place, on High Street; but in November, 1830, having purchased of Hon. Jeremiah Mason, of Portsmouth, attorney for the United States Bank, its land and water-power at the south part of the town (now Penacook), he moved there, and resided in the house he had bought, situated next east of the hotel, where he died July 21, 1834. Although dying at the age of forty, he had become an active and influential business man. In 1831 he erected the dam across the Contoocook River, and the brick grist-mill standing near the stone factory. He also engaged in manufacturing lumber. He took an active part in all that was essential to the general and religious welfare of the town, and was elected to the Legislature in the March preceding his death.

Ruth Ames was the ninth of ten children of David Ames and Phebe, daughter of Thomas Hoyt, who died in 1777, in the War of the Revolution. David, born May 27, 1749, was one of four children of Samuel Ames, one of the first settlers of Canterbury, who was born February 13, 1723-24, and died January 16, 1803. Ruth Ames was born in Canterbury July 29, 1797, and died in Concord October 22, 1874. She was a fine type of the strong but liberal New England woman.

John Kimball, son of Benjamin Kimball and Ruth Ames, was born in Canterbury April 13, 1821. When he was thirteen years of age his father died, leaving, also, a daughter (Elizabeth) nine years old, and another son (Benjamin A.) less than a year old. The widowed mother had already buried two children in infancy, and six years later lost the daughter; but she lived forty years longer, and enjoyed the highest felicity of a mother, seeing her two stalwart sons grow prosperously to man's estate, achieving riches and honors, unblemished in life and character. The early home duties and experiences of the elder son naturally aroused in him tender devotion to a mother and brother so dependent upon him, animated him to earnest and persistent effort, developed in him strong self-reliance, and laid broad and deep the foundations of those qualities of heart and mind which now distinguish him.

He attended the town schools of Boscawen, and during the year 1837 the Concord Academy. In 1838 he was apprenticed as a machinist to William Moody Kimball, his father's cousin, then engaged in constructing mills and machinery at Boscawen, and in four years he mastered his trade. His first work after coming of age was, in 1842, to rebuild the grist-mills in the valley near the north end of Boscawen Plain, which are still in use, and he worked at his trade in Suncook, Manchester, Lowell and Lawrence.

In 1848 he took charge of the new machine and car-shops of the Concord Railroad, then building at Concord, and in 1850 became master mechanic of that corporation, continuing in the position until 1858. Twenty years of unremitting work in mechanical construction had brought him to the summit of his vocation, possessing thorough, practical skill, having acquired an unusual share of common sense in human affairs, and with habits of industry, temperance and self-reliance, sure to give him a fair measure of success in any new calling which he might choose. Henceforth is life's work was to be in different fields. His neighbors and friends had discovered his integrity and capacity, and they commenced to utilize them in public employment.

In 1856, Mr. Kimball had been elected a member of the Common Council of the city of Concord, and re-elected in 1857, and chosen president of the Council. In 1858 he was elected to the State Legislature, was re-elected in 1859, and served as chairman of the committee on the State Prison. In 1859 he relinquished other employment to serve as city marshal of Concord and collector of taxes, from which office he was, in 1862, appointed by President Lincoln to the post of collector of internal revenue for the Second District of New Hampshire, consisting of the counties of Merrimack and Hillsborough, and served until he resigned in 1869. His collections, which included the tax on manufactures from the mills of Manchester, were very heavy for a country district, and amounted in the seven years to nearly seven millions of dollars. No revenue district in the country established a better reputation. His methods of collection, while thorough, were quiet, and gave no offense, and his administration was in all respects faultless. In the office of the commissioner of internal revenue, at Washington, his record has always been referred to as one of the very highest.

In 1870, Mr. Kimball was elected treasurer of the Merrimack County Savings Bank, then first organized. He has held the office ever since, and now conducts its business, for which he has been largely responsible, the bank being a profitable and successful institution.

Mr. Kimball was elected mayor of the city of Concord in 1872, and re-elected in 1873, 1874 and 1875. The duties of this honorable, responsible, but perplexing office he discharged with zeal and firmness, and to the satisfaction of the citizens. It fell to his lot to construct an unusual number of public works, which will long endure to testify to his capacity and fidelity. A freshet having carried away or rendered impassable five of the seven wooden bridges spanning the Merrimack and Contoocook Rivers, the work of rebuilding devolved on him as the superintendent of roads and bridges. The new structures are of the most substantial character, --two, the Federal Bridge and that at Penacook, being of iron, of modern design. The central fire station, built by him, is also an edifice attractive as well as commodious and convenient. Complaints of the cost of Mr. Kimball's constructions as mayor have long since ceased, in view of the universally admitted integrity of all expenditures upon them, and their solidity and permanency, as well as of the credit which they have brought to our beautiful city. During his administration the Long Pond water-works were constructed, bringing to the centre of Concord a copious supply of the purest water, at a cost of four hundred and twenty-five thousand dollars, economically and skillfully expended. He became ex-officio one of the water commissioners, and in 1878 president of the board, in which position he has ever since been kept. Blossom Hill Cemetery was doubled in size, the streets of the city were improved in accordance with modern requirements, the system of sewerage was enlarged, new and attractive school-houses were constructed, and, without any discredit to other mayors, it may be claimed that it happened to him to render more important and lasting service than any other official from the adoption of the city charter, in 1853, to the present time. For his success he must have been largely indebted to the skill acquired during his long and laborious experience in the practical business of his youth and early manhood.

In 1877, unexpectedly, and without solicitation or suggestion from any one, Governor Benjamin F. Prescott and his Council appointed Mr. Kimball as chairman of the board of commissioners to build the new State Prison at Concord, with Messrs. Albert M. Shaw and Alpha J. Pillsbury as his associates. In 1880 the edifice was completed within the limits of the moderate appropriation of two hundred and thirty-five thousand dollars, a model in its design and construction, remarkable for the honesty and cheapness which had characterized the establishment of a penitentiary superior, all things considered, to any prison of other States. No more than just praise was uttered concerning the chairman of the commission, on the ceremony at the opening of the prison, by the speaker of the occasion, one of Concord's most devoted and public-spirited sons, Colonel John H. George, who said,--

"It is a matter of further and warm congratulation that its erection has been intrusted to a competent commission; that good judgment and intelligent investigation have characterized the plan; that no corrupt jobbery has polluted its construction; and that for every dollar expended a fair and honest result has been obtained. And in this connection it is but just to say that the fitness and labors of the chairman of the board especially should receive public recognition. To the successful performance of the duties of his office he brought unusual mechanical skill, and large experience in the construction of public works."

Repeated nominations and elections of any citizen by his friends and neighbors to local offices, not in any way improperly procured, but conferred solely from popular esteem and desire, must be taken to indicate ability and true excellence. Mr. Kimball not only held the elective offices already mentioned, but was, by the most intelligent local constituency in the State, that of Ward 5, Concord, for eleven successive years, from 1861, elected moderator of their meetings, and was elected a member of the Constitutional Convention of 1876, in which he was chairman of the committee on finance. He was, in November, 1880, chosen State Senator by the larger constituency comprised within the principal wards in Concord; and at the meeting of the Legislature, in June, 1881, he was, by general consent of his party associates, selected for president of the Senate, in rank the second officer in the State. the duties of this high position he performed creditably, with courtesy and dignity, and to the satisfaction of his fellow-members, as indicated by their unanimous resolution and their speeches of approval of the 18th of August, which were accompanied by an appropriate testimonial of their good-will.

Additional trusts reposed in him have been the presidency of the Concord Gas-Light Company; his appointment, by Mr. Chief Justice Doe, as one of the trustees of the Manchester and Keene Railroad; the treasurerships of the New Hampshire Bible Society and the Orphans' Home; the settlement and management of many estates of persons deceased, and of beneficiaries of all kinds, the amounts now in his care reaching several hundred thousand dollars. the trusted citizen, banker and friend, to whom is so freely committed the property of widows and orphans, can possess no higher evidence of integrity and worth.

In person, Mr. Kimball is tall, erect and of commanding presence, well preserved at the age of sixty-four, in perfect health, and with good prospects for longevity. His modes of life are regular, and he is a total abstainer, through conviction and habit. While firm and decided in his views, he is genial and courteous in personal intercourse. His mind has been well cultivated. He is a careful reader, with an inclination for genealogical and historical research, and he writes and speaks with precision and effect. He is faithful in every relation of life, public and domestic, and is valued and beloved by his neighbors and friends.

In 1843 he joined the Congregational Church in Boscawen, has continued his connection with that denomination and is now a member of the South Congregational Church in Concord. he is free from bigotry, pretense and intolerance, is a just and good man, serving his God faithfully according to the light he possesses, performing his every duty and baring his every burden without complaint.

In politics, Mr. Kimball has had no violent changes to make. Acquiring Whig principles from his father and grandfather, the latter being a great admirer of Governor John Taylor Gilman, he became a Republican in 1856, and has always been an active, trusted and honored member of his party, serving since 1863, twenty years, as treasurer of the Republican State Committee.

May 27, 1846, at the age of twenty-five, Mr. Kimball married Maria H. Phillips, of Rupert, Vt. Their only child, Clara Maria, born March 20, 1848, married, June 4, 1873, Mr. Augustine R. Ayers, a successful merchant in Concord. Six children -- Ruth Ames, John Kimball, Helen McGregor, Joseph Sherburne, Josiah Phillips and Augustine Haines -- have been born to them. All are now living except Joseph Sherburne and Josiah Phillips.

Mr. Kimball has lived during an eventful period in the history of his country and the world, and has seen wonderful changes in human affairs. Commencing life during the first quarter of the century, he has already almost reached the middle of the last quarter and may hope to survive to its end. He began in the poor and primitive days of the republic; he now sees it abounding in wealth and the means of luxurious living. Marvelous progress has been made under his eyes in all forms of human knowledge and in all departments of human endeavor. When, in 1834, he and his widowed mother took counsel together how to meet the necessities of life for themselves and the dependent sister and brother, they saw no telegraphs, railroads, steamships nor power printing-presses. Before that mother died, in 1874, these four wonderful inventions alone had revolutionized all civilized life. Progress in humanity has been no less striking. As late, even, as 1852 the public conscience was proved to be dead concerning American chattel slavery, which was a most foul stain on the nation's honor, whose extinction almost no man dared predict or hope for; but another decade saw slavery annihilated, and freedom universal in America. Fortunately, Mr. Kimball has had nothing to unlearn or retract of opinions on slavery. He has witnessed and participated in the whole anti-slavery struggle, and now, in the fulness of his manhood, rejoices that he can enjoy the worldly prosperity with which he has been blessed, as the citizen of a nation exalted by righteousness and sustained and guided by the highest national honor.

Benjamin A. Kimball

The subject of this sketch received his preparatory education at the High School in Concord, and subsequently at a school in Derry under the special instructions of Prof. Hildreth (who at that time was regarded as one of the ablest teachers in the State). He entered the Chandler Scientific Department of Dartmouth College at the opening of that department of the college, in 1851, to fit himself for his chosen profession of mechanical engineer. he acquitted himself with credit in all the branches prescribed in the course of study, and was especially excellent in mathematics and draughting. His class was small, but it was composed of men who entered college with the purpose of making the most of themselves, and they worked with a will. He graduated with honor, July 27, 1854, receiving the degree of Bachelor of Science.

An incident, known to but few now living, occurred at the time of his graduation which reveled the spirit and purpose of his class.

Considering the smallness of the number that was to graduate, the trustees thought the department could not well afford to have a steel plate engraved for the diploma at that time. From this decision the class appealed through its principal instructor, -- then, as always, a firm friend of the department, -- John S. Woodman, to the board of visitors, John A. Dixwell and Francis B. Hayes. The visitors saw at once that the class, having completed the prescribed course, could demand all they claimed, and that to withhold it might injure the department, and they said to Prof. Woodman: "This department shall not be behind other departments of the college in honoring its graduates."

The diplomas were consequently ordered and executed with a pen on parchment by N.D. Gould, of Harvard College, and were fine specimens of artistic penmanship and faithful testimonials of the justice then secured and since maintained for the Chandler Department by the board of visitors.

August 1, 1854, Mr. Kimball entered they employ of the Concord Railroad as draughtsman and machinist, and was promoted, April 1, 1856, to be foreman of the locomotive department. January 1, 1858, he succeeded his brother as master-mechanic at the age of twenty-six years. A suggestion was made to the directors as to the propriety of appointing him, on account of his age and limited practical experience, to an office involving responsibilities so important, but from their knowledge of him in his previous employment by the company they did not hesitate to make it, and by his untiring energy and application he soon proved his fitness for the position and continued successfully to occupy it until April 1, 1865, when he resigned. At this time he became a member of the firm of Ford & Kimball, manufacturers of car wheels, etc., which business is still successfully carried on by them. In 1870 he was elected a member of the House of Representatives from Ward 6, Concord, but declined a re-election in 1871.

He was a member of a special committee appointed by the City Council of Concord, in 1871, to procure plans and specifications for an aqueduct to bring a supply of water from Long Pond, and, in January following, was appointed a member of the Board of Water Commissioners to construct the works substantially upon the plan and under the ordinance submitted by said committee. He continued an active member of the board for six years and was its president for three years. In 1876 he was elected a member of the Constitutional Convention to revise the Constitution of the State, and proved an efficient and valuable member of that assembly.

He has been connected with the banking interests of the city for many years. He was trustee and president of the Concord Savings-Bank until compelled to resign by ill health, and is a trustee of the Merrimack County Savings-Bank at this time. He has been a director in the Mechanics' National Bank from its organization, and is now its president. January 11, 1879, he was elected to fill the vacancy in the board of directors of the Concord Railroad caused by the death of Hon. Onslow Stearns, and has since been closely connected with its system of roads. In November, 1884, he was chosen councilor for the Second District and accepted the office June 4, 1885.

This is the brief, but honorable record of one whose life has been devoted to industries and enterprises which are the source of general prosperity. He has not coveted official stations, but, quietly mastering the principals and details of his business, has advanced by the force of personal merit to stations of large public responsibility, and has always proved equal to the demands which have been made upon him. His mind naturally and easily grasps the reasons of things, and hence he is thoroughly practical in his work and affairs. He is a good example of that honorable and valuable class of our citizens whose natural abilities, cultivated and improved by study and practical experience, make them successful in business for themselves and influential and useful members of society in the communities in which they live.

In an age distinguished for mechanical skill and the application of force to the development of material resources, men of the quality of Mr. Kimball are indispensable and appreciated. Metaphysicians and theorists are relegated to seclusion, and practical thinkers and doers are advanced to leadership. The right of the subject of this sketch to a foremost place in this class has been clearly recognized and his place assigned at the front in the line of social progress. The people have learned that he is not one
"To cozen fortune,
And be honorable without the stamp of merit."

Page 233

John Peverley Kimball.

Richard Kimball was born in Canterbury May 31, 1798. He married Sally Sanborn, daughter of John Peverley, of Canterbury, October 24, 1826. They moved to Boscawen the next day and settled on the Rolfe farm, near his brother Benjamin, where they resided until Mr. Kimball's death, which occurred September 30, 1829. Their only child, John Peverley, the subject of this sketch, was born in Boscawen December 23, 1827. After the death of his father he moved with his mother to his grandfather Peverley's, where he resided until he married Mary Eliza, daughter of Samuel Hill, of Canterbury, June 3, 1852, and settled on the homestead of her father, near the centre of the town. Here he resided until her death, November 6, 1874. Deprived of a father at the early age of three years, young John experienced many of the difficulties of other boys in like circumstances. At the same time there were advantages. His mother was a judicious, energetic woman, and he became industrious, persevering, resolute and self-reliant. These elements of character, thus early formed, have done much toward making him successful in all his business affairs. His education was gained mostly in the common school. After leaving this he attended Gilmanton Academy and the New Hampshire Conference Seminary two terms. During his partnership with his father-in-law, they devoted themselves chiefly to agriculture, and the fine exhibits of corn, grain and vegetables made annually at the town and State fairs were good proof of their success. Mr. Kimball has in recent years made stock-raising a specialty, and his excellent Herefords have attracted much attention. he has made great efforts to improve and multiply this stock in Canterbury and in neighboring towns. For several years past he has sent fine herds to the State and New England fairs. He has always been a fancier of good horses, and several of his own raising have made a very creditable record on the turf at the county and State fairs. With a view to comfort and convenience, the homestead buildings were, some years ago, put in excellent condition. A large barn was built, having modern improvements, and the house was made commodious and attractive. Mr. Kimball has always shown a good degree of interest in the educational affairs of the town, and has at all times advocated good schools. His disposition is social, he is prompt to do a kindness, and has many warm friends. He is a prominent member of the town and State Grange, and a member of other societies that have for their object social and educational improvement. he has contributed much to make Canterbury's annual fair successful and creditable to the town. He is a Republican in politics, and a Congregationalist in his religious sympathies. Mr. Kimball had, by his first marriage, four children. The eldest, George Edwin, died at the age of six years. The second and third, Frank Edwin and Ida Grace, were born May 13, 1859. The youngest, Georgianna Eliza, was born October 10, 1867. He married for his second wife, Mrs. Mary A. Kilton.

Mr. Kimball traces his paternal ancestors back to the eighth generation. His grandfather's name was Richard. Richard's father's name was Caleb, then John, Joseph, another John, and still another, this last John making the eighth.