| KIMBALL, John White, soldier, was born
in Fitchburg, Mass., Feb. 27, 1828; son of Alpheus and Harriet
(Stone) Kimball; grandson of Ephraim and Betsey (White) Kimball and
of Luther and Mary (Trowbridge) Stone, and a descendant on his
father's side from Peregrine White, the first child born of English
parents in New England.
John was educated in the public schools of Fitchburg, and learned the trade of scythe-making in his father's shop. He was a partner with his father and brother in the manufacture of agricultural implements. He became a member of the Massachusetts state militia in 1846, being captain of the Fitchburg Fusiliers and adjutant of the 9th regiment, 1858-60. He was married, July 15, 1851, to Almira M. Lesure, daughter of Newell Merrifield and Almira Lesure. When the civil war broke out he volunteered with the Fitchburg Fusiliers, becoming major of the 15th Massachusetts volunteers, Aug. 1, 1861, and lieutenant-colonel, April 29, 1862, and commanded the regiment in the Army of the Potomac till Nov. 24, 1862, when he was commissioned colonel of the 53d regiment of Massachusetts volunteers, and commanded that regiment during its term of service in the Department of the Gulf. He was dangerously wounded during the assault on Port Hudson, June 14, 1863. He was appointed colonel of the 36th Massachusetts regiment, Aug. 11, 1862, but was obliged to decline in accordance with an order to the effect that no officer should leave the Army of the Potomac for purpose of promotion. He was brevetted brigadier-general, March 15, 1865, for "gallant and meritorious services in the field during the war." He reorganized the Fitchburg Fusiliers, and again became its captain, April 12, 1865, was commissioned colonel of the 10th regiment, M.V.M., Aug. 1, 1876, and was honorably discharged, Sept. 21, 1878. He was tax collector of the city of Fitchburg, 1865-73; a state police commissioner for three years; U.S. pension agent, 1873-87; custodian of the rolls, dies and plates in the bureau of engraving and printing at Washington, D.C., 1877-79; postmaster at Fitchburg, 1879-87; state auditor, 1892-1900, and was a representative in the Massachusetts legislature, 1864-65, 1872, 1888-91, serving on leading committees and as chairman of the railroad committee, 1890-91. He joined the Loyal Legion and the Grand Army of the Republic, and was department commander of Massachusetts G. A. R. in 1874. He was also elected a member of the Fitchburg board of trade and a trustee of the Fitchburg Savings bank. |