Posted on: Hancock Co. Il Obituaries Forum Board URL: http://cgi.rootsweb.com/~genbbs/genbbs.cgi/USA/Il/HancockObits?read=215 Surname: Boston, Dale, Earls, Ervin, Fletcher, Freshman, Kimbrough, Koontz, Sowers, Wyatt ------------------------- The Carthage Republican Carthage, Illinois Wednesday March 2, 1910 Page 5 Columns 4 & 5 Obituary. W. R. Kimbrough died at the home of his daughter, Mrs. Roy Fletcher, in this city, Wednesday, Feby. 23, 1910, aged 81 years and 1 month. The funeral services were held at the Methodist church Friday, Feby. 25th. Burial in Moss Ridge cemetery. Wm. R. Kimbrough, one of the early settlers of Hancock county, is a native of Kentucky, born in Todd county, Jan. 24, 1830. He is a son of William and Susan (Wyatt) Kimbrough, natives of Virginia, whence they removed to Kentucky at an early day. The father engaged in farming in Todd county until 1834, when he brought his family to Hancock county, Illinois, settling in Carthage township, where he purchased a farm of forty acres east of the city of Carthage. He built there a log cabin and began the development of the property. He lived there for some years and afterward sold the farm, removing to a larger farm which he rented. A number of years later he took up his abode in Carthage where he lived retired, his death occurring here when he was 86 years of age. Wm. R. Kimbrough obtained his education in a log school house walking six miles over the prairie to school. As a young man he assisted his father upon the home farm, remaining there until about 16 years of age, when he began working by the month as a farm hand in Carthage township. During the Mormon troubles Mr. Kimbrough joined the forces that moved on Nauvoo and was in the attack on that place. His recollection of that exciting period was vivid and his experience formed the basis of an article published in The Republican several years ago. In 1853, he crossed the plains to California, attracted by the gold excitement there, journeying with horses and ox teams, the party numbering six men who had three teams. They were about five and a half months in making the trip and Mr. Kimbrough remained in California for two years, his wife and two children spending that time in Hancock county. As he was in limited financial circumstances upon his arrival he began operating a threshing machine at $5 per day. He was thus employed during the fall, after which he drove cattle across the country to the market and was thus engaged until he returned to Illinois. He had made his way to California with the idea of mining but he did not spend a day in the mines, being well satisfied with the work which came to him and the money which he obtained thereby. Following his return to Illinois in 1855, he bought a farm southeast of Carthage in Carthage township comprising sixty acres. Upon this he made his home for twelve years, after which he sold the place and purchased a farm on section 11, Carthage township. A few years ago he came to Carthage and made his home with his daughter, Mrs. Fletcher. In July, 1847, Mr. Kimbrough was married to Miss Elizabeth Dale, who was born in Woodford county, Ky., a daughter of Lunsford and Fanny (Boston) Dale, natives of Woodford county, whence they came to Illinois, settling in Morgan county. After some time they came to Hancock county in 1846 and located in Carthage township. Nine children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Kimbrough, James, who for many years has been a railroad conductor and resides in Denver, Colo., Sarah Frances is the wife of Jefferson Koontz, Frank, a farmer of Carthage township, Thomas, a resident farmer of Iowa, Etta, the deceased wife of Ralph Sowers, and Elizabeth, the wife of Luther Earls, of Carthage, Fannie, the wife of Wadsworth Earls, and Abba M. Malinda Kimbrough, the fourth of the family is the wife of Roy Fletcher, of Carthage. Julia Kimbrough is the widow of Thomas Ervin, George, a railroad fireman on Colorado & Southern, of Denver, Colo., Nellie Ann, is the wife of Henry Freshman, Hannibal, Mo. Thomas died at the age of 31 years, and Wm. L., of Carthage township. Mr. Kimbrough was a democrat in politics but never cared for office. He saw many changes and improvements made in the country which in his boyhood days was a vast wild prairie, ever which roamed herds of deer and other wild animals. He saw the raw and unbroken prairie land transformed into rich fertile farms and has done his full share to make the county what it is today—one of the richest and most productive farming districts of this great state. His life has been a busy one, yet he found time to travel extensively through the country and acquaint himself with his native land. Through persistent effort and industry he won success and carefully reared his family so that they have become prominent and influential members of society. Link: Bryant Genealogy URL: <http://worldconnect.genealogy.rootsweb.com/cgi-bin/igm.cgi?db=bryant>