The Kimmel Families of Montgomery County, Ohio

JESSE P. KIMMEL, of Trotwood, Ohio, a successful farmer of Madison township, is a descendant of one of the pioneer families of Montgomery county. Fuller mention of the Kimmel family will be found in the biography of Aaron Kimmel, in this volume.

Louis Kimmel, father of Jesse P., was born in Somerset county, Pa., August 24, 1804, and was a son of David and Barbara (Kroner) Kimmel. The founder of this family in America was David Kimmel, the grandfather of Louis Kimmel, he coming to this country from Switzerland in 1760. He settled in York county, Pa., and reared a family of eight children, as follows: Abram, Jacob, Isaac,

Philip, David, Solomon, Michael and Lizzie. Of this family, David was the father of Louis Kimmel, who was the father of Jesse P. Barbara Kroner, wife of David Kimmel, was born in Somerset county, Pa., and they were the parents of six children.

Louis Kimmel had but limited educational advantages, though he made the best use of such as he enjoyed. His father came to Montgomery county in 1817, and settled on land in Madison township, Louis living at home until his father’s death, which occurred September 25, 1827. David Kimmel was a Jacksonian democrat, and a member of the German Baptist church. His wife died November 28, 1840, a devout member of the same church with her husband. Louis Kimmel married, August 28, 1828, in Clay township, Mary Niswonger, who was born May 26, 1808, the daughter of Levi Niswonger. Mr. and Mrs. Kimmel became the parents of twelve children, as follows: Michael, Sarah, Eliza, Joseph, Barbara,

Mary, Susan, Levi S., Ellen, Jesse P., Louis C., and Charles, all of whom lived to mature years except Eliza, and all are now living except Eliza, Michael and Charles. Louis Kimmel settled on his father’s old homestead, where the soldiers’ home is now located, and assisted in clearing up the farm from the woods. He lived on this homestead, which originally consisted of 200 acres, and to which he added by thrift and industry until he owned 450 acres. Mr. and Mrs. Kimmel were members of the German Reformed church. Mr. Kimmel was a democrat of the Jacksonian type, and a typical pioneer. He lived to be about seventy-four years old, dying in 1878.

Jesse P. Kimmel, the subject of this sketch, was born May, 27, 1846, on the old homestead, and received the usual common-school education of the day. Reared a farmer, he adopted that occupation as his life work, and on March 28, 1869, he married, at Dayton, Ohio, Catherine Lingle, who was born November 8, 1847, in Miami township, a daughter of Daniel and Anna Mary (Long) Lingle.

As printed in the source¹. Wording is the original; obvious scanning errors have been corrected, and a few may remain.

HENRY S. KIMMEL, M. D., of No. 103 Valley street, Dayton, is a native of Montgomery county, Ohio, and was born December 3, 1833, a son of Michael and Catherine (Armentrout) Kimmel, both now deceased.

His great-grandfather came from Switzerland to America in 1760, settled in York county, Pa., served gallantly through the Revolutionary war, and reared a family of eight children, who were named Abraham, Jacob, Isaac, Philip, David, Solomon, Michael and Lizzie. Of these children, David was the progenitor of the Ohio branch of the family, the others having scattered to different parts of the United States, and all reaching worthy positions in life — the only one, however, so far as known, who attained any political prominence being Judge Kimmel, of Baltimore, Md., who, beside filling his judicial functions with ability, also served two terms in congress.

David Kimmel, grandfather of Henry S., came from Somerset county, Pa., to Ohio in the spring of 1817, and settled on a farm six miles west of Dayton, where he died, September 25, 1827, aged eighty-four years, the farm falling to the lot of his son Lewis, and later to his grandson Lewis, son of Lewis. David Kimmel had been twice married, and to his first union were born two children, of whom but little, if anything, is now known; to his second marriage the following-named children were born: Susan, who was married to Michael Beeghly, and died March 5, 1858; John, who was born November 30, 1795, and died September 10, 1877; Jonas; David, who was born August 14, 1800, and died August 17, 1863; Lewis, who died April 22, 1876, in his seventy-second year; Hannah, deceased wife of David Murray; Michael, father of our subject, was born January 10, 1810, and died October 29, 1878; and Magdalene, the youngest, was married to Christian Forney, and died January 25, 1858. The family were all members of the Dunkard church.

Michael Kimmel and his wife, Catherine (Armentrout) Kimmel, had born to their marriage eight children, viz: Henry S., whose name opens this sketch; Aaron, a farmer of Montgomery county, Ohio; Mary, wife of B. C. Jackson, of Darke county; George, of Montgomery county; Sarah, wife of B. F. Keller, of Darke county; Michael C., deceased; David, deceased; and Susan, wife of John Shank, of Montgomery county.

Dr. Henry S. Kimmel, after passing through the usual preliminary course of literary instruction, began reading medicine, in 1858, with Dr. J. L. Gephart, of Liberty, Montgomery county, Ohio, and, after due preparation, entered the Cincinnati college of Medicine and Surgery, from which he graduated with the degree of M. D., and at once entered upon the practice of his profession in Brookville,

Montgomery county. He then removed to Liberty, in the same county, and in the latter town conducted a store, and was also a justice of the peace and township treasurer for a number of years. In 1882 he came to Dayton, and here, in addition to attending to his duties as a practitioner of medicine, he also conducts a successful drug business.

Politically Dr. Kimmel is a stalwart republican, and in his fraternal professional association is a member of the Ohio Medical and Montgomery county Medical societies, while in his secret societary connection he is an Odd Fellow. He is the husband of Miss Mary King, a native of Germantown, Montgomery county, whom he married June 11, 1861, the union resulting in the birth of three children: Della, now the widow of I. T. Holt; Annie, wife of Rev. J. W. Winder, a Presbyterian minister of Galesville, Wis.; and Vesta, wife of J, Orville Clemens. Dr. Kimmel has been very successful in his profession, having been thoroughly educated therein, and is sincerely esteemed as a citizen.

As printed in the source¹. Wording is the original; obvious scanning errors have been corrected, and a few may remain.

SHARON KIMMEL, one of the oldest settlers of Montgomery county, sprang from Pennsylvania-Dutch stock. His grandfather was Daniel Kimmel, from Berks county, Pa., a farmer and a member of the German Baptist church. He married Barbara Kroner, by whom he had the following children: Susan, John, Daniel,

Jonas, Lewis, Michael, Mattie and Hannah. He made several journeys to Montgomery county, Ohio, on horseback, and one trip to southern Illinois, in the same manner. This was at a very early day, and on his journeys he was accustomed to camp out wherever night overtook him. About 1810 he removed his family to Montgomery county, settling five miles west of Dayton in the woods, on 160 acres of land. Clearing this land of its timber, he made of it a fine farm, and in course of time bought more land. He lived to be about sixty years old.

Michael Kimmel, son of Daniel and father of Aaron Kimmel, was born in Berks county, Pa., in January, 1810. He received the usual common-school education of the times, and was reared a farmer’s boy. He married Catherine Armantropt, who was born in Ohio, March 15, 1815, and was a daughter of Peter Armantropt, of Maryland. Peter Armantropt was one of the pioneers of Warren county, Ohio, settling there at a very early day. In religion he was a Lutheran.

As printed in the source¹. Wording is the original; obvious scanning errors have been corrected, and a few may remain.

HARRY E. KIMMEL.

Harry E. Kimmel, a well known farmer and stock raiser of Miami township, operates his father’s farm about one mile south of Alexanderville. He and his brother also own about ninety-one acres of fine farm land in Mad River township, on the Kemp road, which is accounted very valuable. November 17, 1865, was the day upon which Harry E. Kimmel first opened his eyes to great the day, in Jefferson township, near where the new schoolhouse now stands. His paternal grandfather, Lewis Kimmel, came from Lancaster county, Pennsylvania, and was among the first to settle in Montgomery county. The latter wedded Miss Mary Niswonger and their son Joseph Kimmel, the father of Llarry E. Kimmel, was born in Jefferson township. He became well known as a farmer, stock raiser and dealer. Some years ago he left the farm, and, removing to the city of Dayton, is now engaged in the stock business at that place. He resides at 925 North Broadway and though well advanced in years is still active in the pursuit of his calling. In the years of his early manhood he married Miss Amanda Kemp, and to them were born two sons, C. L. and Harry E.

The latter received his fundamental education in the public schools of West Carrollton, and his substantial preparation for life on the farm under the guidance of his parents. During his school life he assumed his share of the responsibilities of the home place and took an active interest in the business side of the work. In 1878, when his father commenced dealing in horses, Mr. Kimmel was but a young boy, and so might be said to have grown up with that part of the business.

As printed in the source². Wording is the original; obvious scanning errors have been corrected, and a few may remain.

EZRA F. KIMMEL.

Ezra F. Kimmel, an operator in the field of real estate, being senior partner in the firm of Kimmel & Freehofer, made his entrance into life’s activities in Dayton, October 20, 1863, and has always remained a resident of his native city. His father, Christian Kimmel, had located here upon his arrival from Germany in 1846 and for almost a half century continued his residence in Dayton, but met death in a railroad wreck in September, 1893, while returning from the World’s Columbian Exposition in Chicago. He had for thirty-five years occupied the position of superintendent of the machine shops of the Buckeye Iron & Brass Works. It was after his arrival in the new world that he married a daughter of Jacob Ecki and his widow still resides in Dayton. She had accompanied her husband to Chicago and in the wreck sustained severe injuries hut escaped with her life. Their family numbered six children, five of whom survive and are residents of Dayton: William H., who is secretary of the Mutual Home & Savings Association; Mrs. Louise Bard, the wife of O. J. Bard, attorney at law; Anna, the wife of A. O. Freehofer; Gustave B., a minister in the Evangelical church, now located in Indianapolis; and Ezra F.

At the usual age Ezra F. Kimmel entered the public schools and when he put aside his text-books he had completed high school, having been graduated with the class of 1879. The following year saw him an active factor in business circles for in May, 1880, he became bookkeeper for R. C. Anderson, a manufacturer of plows, and he thus served for four years. In March, 1884, he entered the office of the Mutual Home & Savings Association and again acted as bookkeeper for four years, while for three and half years he was its auditor. On the 15th of July, 1891, he organized the John Dodds Manufacturing Company of which he became vice president and superintendent, remaining thus in active control of the business until December 1, 1896, when he accepted the management of the affairs of the National Improvement Company and also became agent for E. J. Barney. When he severed active relations with the Mutual Home & Savings Association he was made a member of its directorate and also of its financial committee. He has always been appreciative of opportunities and has improved them to good advantage. He aided in organizing the Walker Lithographic & Printing Company of which he was a director until the latter part of 1895, when he sold his interest in the business. In 1896 he joined Mr. Freehofer in organizing the real estate firm of Kimmel & Freehofer and is now giving his energies to this business with the result that he is today well informed concerning realty values in the city and has many clients who appreciate his comprehensive knowledge which is turned to account in their service. He continues as secretary and manager of the Arcade Company, is a director of the Mutual Home & Savings Association, is president of the Dayton Clark Land Company and treasurer of the Miami Valley Hospital. He quickly notes the possibilities of success and utilized his opportunities in a manner that makes them resultant factors in attaining the goal of prosperity.

In November, 1885, Mr. Kimmel was married to Miss Ida M. Steffey, a daughter of the Rev. M. W. Steffey, a minister of the Evangelical Association, at one time pastor of a church of this denomination in Dayton. Mr. and Mrs. Kimmel have a daughter and son, Florence M. and Russell Ezra. The parents hold membership in the Wayne Avenue Evangelical Association and Mr. Kimmel is also vice president of the Young Men’s Christian Association. He is also in hearty sympathy with the beneficient spirit of Masonry and has attained high rank in the order, having became a Knight Templar of the Commandery and a Sublime Prince of the Royal Secret in the Consistory. He is also a Noble of the Mystic Shrine. His friends are true and loyal to him because he displays the same qualities and, as Emerson says: “The way to win a friend is to be one.” There are no exciting chapters in his life work but it is a history of a man who in the workaday world knows that chances for success are before every individual and that within one’s own self lies the power to utilize or to reject these, the one course leading to continuous advancement and the other to failure. In all things he has wisely chosen the better part and in his career he has not only won success but what is more, an honorable success.

As printed in the source². Wording is the original; obvious scanning errors have been corrected, and a few may remain.

[This passage is too damaged in the scanned book to reproduce. See the original book.]

As printed in the source³. Wording is the original; obvious scanning errors have been corrected, and a few may remain.