Article from History and Folklore of Searcy County Edited by Mary Frances Harrell The WILLIAM KIMBRELL Family William Franklin Kimbrell was born 16 March 1832 in Perry County Tenn.. He came to Searcy County, AR in 1844 at the age of 12 with his parents, Elias H and Malinda Kimbrell. They were born born in KY. They were married at Sugar Hill in Perry County, TN June 11, 1829. They settled in Wiley's Cove Township, in what is now known as Kimbrell Creek. William's brothers and sisters were: Elvira J. b 1830, TN married Charles P Cotton; Sarah Elmira b 1838, TN married Elisha Patterson; Reece Jefferson b 1842 TN. We think he went south during the Civil war and was never heard from again. Margaret J born 1844 AR married William Z Duncan; Tima Ann b 1847 AR married James O'Neal; John b 1852 AR married married three times; Precilla Abbigail "Prissy" b 1853 AR married Benjamin King. William was married to Nancy Elizabeth Thompson 22 Aug 1854 by Benjamin Potter. She was the daughter of Tidings and "Polly" Mary (Cypert) Thompson. Elizabeth was born 22 Jan 1838 in Wayne County, TN. The Thompsons settled in Wileys Cove Township about 1852. Tidings was a farmer, merchant and Searcy County treasurer 1876-88. "Bill" and his father Eli were both farmers and both served in the Union Army in the Civil War. They were in the 3rd Arkansas Cavalry. Their commanding officer was Col. Abraham H Ryan. Bill and Elizabeth's children were: Rachel "Ellen" b 23 Feb 1856 married Wesley Lay; "Sarah" Catherine b 17 July 1859 m George Luna;John Will b 19 Mar 1862 m Molly O'Neal; Nathaniel "Baxter" b 22 May 1866 married Mary Malinda "Adaline" Goats; Riley Wayne b 16 Nov 1868 m Nancy Jane Russell; Elbert B "Bert" b 19 Aug 1871 married Sarah Elizabeth Hardin, "Aunt Lizzie"; Francis Marion "Frank" b 11 May 1874; m "Lear" Viola Atkinson; Leander Lone "Lee" b 12 Apr 1877. He had a twin brother that died at birth leaving Leander a-lone.He married Arizona "Dona" Ragland; Theodocia "Bell" b 29 Mar 1880. She married Fount Cotton. Lee and Dona were married 15 July 1900. She is the daughter of Jesse J and Louisa (Sanders) Ragland. They lived on the old home place til about 1930. All their children being born there and attending the Kimbrell Creek School. Their children were: Hester b 18 May 1901and d 30 June 1903; Dester Sterling b 16 Jan 1903. On 25 Dec 1921 he married Margaret Ann O'neal. To this union 7 children were born. Leon d at age 17 years. Dester d 4 April 1974 at Pampa, TX and is buried there. Doyle Guy born 30 Sept 1904. On 2 May 1931 he married Abbie Edna Overstreet. To this union 7 children were born. He d 24 Oct 1966 at Marshall. Eva Gladys b 10 July 1908. She was married 22 Oct 1933 to Garland Asley. To this union 2 children were born. Hester and John both died very young. She d 15 Mar ????. Lester Leon b 24 July 1921. On 13 Aug 1941 he married Violet James. To this union 4 children were born. Eli died 10 Aug 1888. Elizabeth died 22 Jan 1910 Bill died 13 Mar 1919 Lee died at his home on South Mountain 15 Nov 1934 All deaths except one, buried at Sulfur Springs Cemetery between Marshall and Leslie in Searcy County, AR. Dona died 5 Jan 1977. She had one son, 17 grandchildren, 47 great grandchildren and some great, great grandchildren. Mildred Freeman