My Genealogy Hound

John D. Kimbell, attorney of Hot Springs, Ark., and conceded to be one of its representative citizens, was born in Nash County, N. C., on November 2, 1834, and is a son of Henry J. and Nancy D. (Derring) Kimbell, the father a native of North Carolina and the mother of the Old Dominion. The parents were married in the former State, and in 1836 emigrated to Arkansas, and located in Hempstead County, where the father tilled the soil until his death. The mother also died in Hempstead County. There were six children born to their marriage, and of the three now living John D. Kimbell is the eldest. He was principally reared in Hempstead County, and secured his education at Lebanon, Tenn., where he graduated at the law school in 1855. He read law in the office of Hubbard & Garland, the latter now ex-attorney general of the United States. In 1856 he owned and edited the Hempstead Democrat with James M. Killgore. Later he removed to Little Rock, Ark., where he was elected secretary of the State senate four consecutive sessions, and was associated with Richard H. Johnson, as editor of the True Democrat. In 1857 he was appointed land commissioner under Gov. Conway, and held the office four years. In 1861 he was in the service a short time, and afterward was private secretary for Gov. Harris Flanigan, with whom he remained for some time, but later practiced law. At the close of the war he engaged in merchandising, and this continued until 1876. Previous to this, in 1874, he came to Hot Springs, and also carried on merchandising at this point for two years. He then engaged in the law practice, and this has since continued. In 1878 he was elected mayor, and 1887 was re-elected, serving two terms, and to the entire satisfaction of all. He has frequently represented his people before Congressional committees at Washington, when asking important legislation for the Springs. He held the office of school director from 1876 to 1889, a period of thirteen years, and is one of the most prominent citizens of the Springs. He was married in 1858 to Miss Josephine Langtree, by whom he had six children, four now living: Corinne M., T. Farrelly, Robert E. and Genevieve. The wife died in May, 1870, and Mr. Kimbell took for his second wife Mrs. Maggie Wilkey whom he married in August, 1871. She is a worthy and exemplary member of the Catholic Church. Mr. Kimbell is engaged in the loan business, and owns the Merchants’ Transfer Line in company with his son. He also owns considerable real estate in Hot Springs. He is a member of the Royal Arcanum.