DANIEL KIMMEL, farmer, P. O. Cobden, was born June 7, 1827, to George and Elizabeth (Christy) Kimmel; George Kimmel was born in Somerset County, Penn., in 1793; died in Union County, March 29, 1868; his wife was born in Darke County, Ohio, in 1803; she is still living. His occupation during life was that of a farmer and stock dealer; they came to Union County when our subject was but five years of age. He was married three times, and by his first wife had two sons; but no child by the second; by his third wife, the mother of our subject, seven sons and five daughters. In religious belief, he and wife were of the Dunkard faith; with politics, he had but little to do, but was a Douglas Democrat, and strongly opposed to the war of the rebellion. He was a man successful in business, and did a good part by his children, giving to each a farm, and about $1,500 in money. Our subject's opportunity for an education was very limited, and when he began life for himself, at the age of twenty-one, it was with nothing but a pair of strong hands, and an unconquerable determination to make a success. For six years he rented a farm and kept bachelor's hall, but at the end of that time he had eighty acres of land paid for, and money besides. July 13, 1853, he was married to Miss Mary Ann Green, daughter of David and Elizabeth (Smith) Green. (See sketch.) Mr. and Mrs. Kimmel have the following children, viz.: Elizabeth Alice, Johana, Eliza, Mary Ann, Carrie Belle, Rolley D., Walter G., David G., Minnie May and Laura Lee; also three children who died in infancy. After marriage, he settled on his present farm of 225 acres, which is one of the best farms in Cobden Precinct. His wife also has seventy-six acres of land in her own right. Mr. Kimmel does general farming — raising of grain, stock and fruits, and in trading in stock. During the war, he enlisted in Company C, One Hundred and Ninth Illinois Volunteer Infantry, and was chosen Lieutenant; he was captured at Holly Springs by Van Dorn's command, and paroled. He then reported to Col. Fry, at Benton Barracks, St. Louis. While there the One Hundred and Ninth was consolidated with the Eleventh and he returned home, and again engaged in farming. In politics, he is Republican. Is a member of the A., F. & A. M. of Cobden, being one of the charter members. Mrs. K. is a member of the Cobden Baptist Church. Taken from the Agricultural Report of Illinois for 1856-57, we find that a bushel of white wheat, raised by Mr. Kimmel took the first premium in the Illinois State Fair, held at Alton, and again at the Mississippi Valley Fair, held at St. Louis, and the report goes farther to state that he was considered the best wheat-raiser in the West, if not in the world.
Extracted 26 Apr 2020 by Norma Hass from 1883 History of Alexander, Union, and Pulaski Counties, Illinois, Part V, pages 131-132.
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