Biographical Sketch of

Alanson M. Kimball

Transcribed by Sandra Boudrou for the Marquette Co WI Pages


Source: Portrait and Biographical Album of Green Lake, Marquette and Waushara Counties, Wisconsin, 
published 1890 by Acme Publishing Co., Chicago, Pages 831 - 832


Hon. Alanson M. Kimball.  To attain prominence in the business and political world, requires the closest 
application of all the forces inherent and acquired with which man is equipped.  To attain even an average 
standing in any of the pursuits or vocations of life requires an exertion of no mean order, but to launch 
out in a career enbodying the gravest cares in various and distinct lines in life, and successfully make 
one's way to the front, attaining success in every undertaking and prominence in most of them, affords 
the happiest illustration conceivable of what a man can accomplish where human action is involved.  The 
embodiment of the essential forces necessary to an ideal career, such as is presented in the life of our 
subject, is by no means general among men--hence it follows that these forces are inherent and hereditary, 
else the more universal success of men in the affairs of life.  In this connection heredity discloses the 
principal source whence came those predominant characteristics that mark Mr. Kimball's strong personality, 
gives reason to his methods, and success as a natural sequence by his efforts.  He comes from a rugged race 
noted for longevity and most excellent habits--conditions and traits which have been fully inherited through 
a long line of progenitors to the present generation.
 
Mr. Kimball was born in the town of Buxton, York Co., Me., March 12, 1827.  His parents, Daniel and Sallie 
(Lowell) Kimball, were natives of the Pine Tree State.  The father was born and reared in Buxton, where he 
also received a good education.  In 1825 he entered upon a mercantile career in his native town, where for 
thirty years he carried on an important and successful business.  In 1855 he removed to Berlin, Wis., where 
his death occurred three years later.  His wife, who was born in Bridgeton, Me., in 1800, died in 1838.  A 
son and three daughters were born of their marriage, all yet living, as follows:  Alanson Mellen Kimball, 
Julia Augusta Silsu, Sarah Emeline Peirce, and Mary Ellen Kimball.
 
The subject of this sketch acquired such education in his early youth as the schools of his native town afforded, 
and subsequently took a course of study in Kent Hill Seminary, which was supplemented by two terms' attendance 
at Gorham Academy, which, in the main, constituted all the advantages which he enjoyed for acquiring a literary 
education.  In those days college curriculums were composed of practical studies, omitting the classics and many 
sciences.  After leaving school Alanson entered his father's store at Kimball's Corners, where the more practical 
and important part of his business education, which in after life contributed so much to his success, was acquired.  
A part of his time was spent on his father's farm, where he gained a thorough knowledge of agriculture in all its 
branches.  He was inured to hard labor, but it proved an excellent training school, preparing him for the battles 
of life.  From the age of sixteen years until he left the parental roof, he did the greater part of his father's 
buying.  In the summer of 1850 he was employed as traveling salesman by Cowan & Co., manufacturers of pumps at 
Seneca Falls, N. Y., and the following year embarked in business for himself, handling the same line of goods 
through agents whom he employed.  In the enterprise he was successful, and accumulated some capital.
 
In 1852, in Buxton, Me., Mr. Kimball was united in marriage with Miss Frances Abigail Waterman, daughter of William 
Waterman, and in October of the same year he brought his young bride to Wisconsin, locating in Berlin.  One of his 
first business ventures in the West was in the line of real estate, and shortly after his arrival he was also employed 
as clerk and general manager in the general merchandise store of Perley G. Chase.  In 1854 he bought a stock of goods 
and began business for himself in Centerville, one mile south of the present site of Pine River and opened the first 
store at that place, where he was personally interested in merchandising for many years, and is still connected with 
the business which is now conducted by his son Charles.  He also owned and operated a large farm in that vicinity 
which received his personal supervision until a few years since, when he placed its management in the hands of his 
son.
 
Mr. Kimball has not only been prominently connected with business circles and the upbuilding of the best interests 
of the community, but has also borne an important part in political affairs.  In early life he was a Free-Soil 
Democrat, but after the formation of the Republican party he became an ardent supporter of its principles, and 
has remained a faithful adherent to this day.  In 1862 he was honored by an election to the State Senate, 
representing Juneau, Adams and Waushara Counties.  In 1874 he was elected to the United States Congress to 
represent the Sixth Congressional District and in 1884 was a delegate to the National Convention that nominated 
for the Presidency James G. Blaine, of whom he was a warm personal friend and great admirer.  His political record 
is one of which his political friends and constituents may well be proud.  With the best interests of the people 
at heart, he labored for their welfare and won the high personal regard of all with whom he came in contact.
 
In 1883 Mr. Kimball entered 4,800 acres of timbered land in Ashland County, Wis.  Three years later he built a 
large sawmill, and established the post village of Kimball, in the town of Ashland, Ashland County, on the line 
of the Milwaukee, Lake Shore and Western Railroad, where he does a large business in manufacturing lumber.  In 
August, 1887, a destructive fire swept away his mill, and with it many thousands of feet of lumber, entailing a 
heavy loss.  He at once rebuilt the mill, and is still engaged in business with his son-in-law, Charles R. Clark.
 
Two children have been born of the union of Mr. and Mrs. Kimball, a son and a daughter:  Ella A., born June 29, 1853, 
is the wife of Charles R. Clark, a leading business man of Ashland County; and Charles, whose sketch appears elsewhere 
in this work.
 
Socially, Mr. Kimball is a member of the Masonic fraternity, belonging to Pine River Lodge, No. 207, A. F. & A. M., 
Berlin Chapter, R. A. M., and Berlin Commandery, K. T.  He is an adherent of the Congregational Church, of which 
his wife is a member.  Mr. Kimball is sagacious, enterprising and successful in business, well-preserved, social 
and temperate.  He has always taken a lively interest in local enterprises of a worthy character, giving liberally, 
not only from his abundant means, but his moral support.  Studious in habit, he is a ripe scholar, a gentleman by 
instinct and culture, and enjoys as he deserves the unqualified respect and esteem of his fellow-citizens.

 
Alanson Kimball photo found by transcriber on Wikipedia May 2007






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