For over a quarter of a century Edward P.
Kimball has been editor of the Yirden Record and in period of service is the
oldest editor in Macoupin county. He has spent the principal years of his
life in the newspaper business and it is highly to his credit that his paper
ranks as one of the most influential in this' section of the state. He
belongs to a well known and highly respected family and was born at
Carlinville, January 20, 1861, a son of H. M. and Lannie (Palmer) Kimball.
The mother is the second daughter of Rev. Elihu Palmer, a brother of the
late Hon. John M. Palmer, who served as governor of the state of Illinois
and also as member of the United States senate.
The father of our
subject was a well known newspaper editor. He came to Carlinville about 1856
and took charge of the Carlinville Democrat when the paper was about six
months old, developing it into one of the representative publications of the
state. He died at Carlinville after arriving at the age of seventy-three
years. His widow is still living and makes her home with her children. She
has traveled extensively and has visited the principal points of Europe and
the United States. There were seven children in the family of Mr. and Mrs.
Kimball. Edward P., the eldest, is the subject of this review. Mabel is the
wife of A. R. Urion, who is general attorney for Armour & Company, of
Chicago, and served for several years as president of the school board of
Chicago. Florence is the wife of William A. Boring, who was born in
Carlinville in 1859 and for twenty years past has been located in New York
city as an architect. He is a member of the firm of Boring & Tilton and drew
the plans for the United States emigrant station on Ellis island, for the
building of the University of Southern California, and for many other
important structures in this country. His father, John M. Boring, erected
the public-school building at Carlinville. Gordon, the fourth child of Mr.
and Mrs. Kimball, died when about two years old. Ruth is the widow of
Cornelius Gardiner, a well known Washington newspaper correspondent. She was
the first woman ever admitted to the press gallery in the national house of
representatives and is the author of books and short stories which have been
extensively read. David H. is general claim agent of the Great Northern
Railway with offices at St. Paul, Minnesota. Francis died in his youth.
Mr. Kimball of this sketch received his preliminary education in the
public schools and later became a student of Blackburn University at
Carlinville. At the age of twenty he took charge of the Reporter at Yirden,
which he conducted for one year for David & Company and then purchased the
paper, operating it for a year on his own account. Having sold out, he went
with his father to Rockford, Illinois, and was for several months identified
with the Journal. He spent a summer in Dakota and one year in St. Louis,
Missouri, returning in 1885 to Virden where he purchased a half-interest in
the Record. Two years later he became sole proprietor of the paper and has
since been its editor. Under his efficient management the circulation and
influence of the paper have been largely extended, and he is now the owner
of one of the valuable newspaper plants in the state. He is a clear and
convincing writer and, by his advocacy of the advantages of this section, he
has greatly promoted the welfare and permanent interests of Macoupin county.
On February 22, 1882, Mr. Kimball was married to Miss Lela Brittian,
a daughter of Theodore H. and Elizabeth (Lumsden) Brittian, who were the
parents of two children, her brother dying in infancy. The mother was a
second time married, becoming the wife of W. A. Jackson; she died in March,
1900. One child, Edna Elizabeth, has been born to Mr. and Mrs. Kimball. She
is now the wife of James J. Woodman, of Virden.
Politically Mr.
Kimball has from the time of reaching manhood voted and persistently labored
in behalf of the democratic party. He served as third assistant clerk in the
lower house of the Illinois legislature in 1891, and in 1893 was first
assistant secretary of the state senate. He filled the office of postmaster
of Virden under President Cleveland’s second administration, 1896-1900.
Fraternally he is well known, being a valued member of the Masonic order,
and also of the Knights of Pythias and Woodmen. His religious belief is
indicated by membership in the Presbyterian church. Ever true to his
convictions of justice and honor, he has contributed his share toward the
upbuilding of Macoupin county and is recognized today as one of its most
respected citizens.
Extracted 18 May 2018 by Norma Hass from History of Macoupin County, Illinois: Biographical and Pictorial, by Charles A. Walker, published in 1911, Volume 2, pages 15-16.
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