Benton Co., AR - Biographies - Joel Wilson Kimmins *********************************************** This file was contributed for use in the USGenWeb Archives by: The Goodspeed Publishing Co Copyright. All rights reserved. http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm http://www.usgenwebarchives.org *********************************************** Joel Wilson Kimmins, fruit grower, residing near Lowell. Ark., was born in Bedford County. Tenn., October 17, 1856. His father, Benjamin F. Kimmins, was also born in Bedford County, and during the late war served in the Confederate army. About 1852 he was married to Nancy Ann Turrentine, who was of French descent, and died in 1863, leaving three children: Mary Elizabeth, wife of William Simmons, both deceased: Joel W. and William James. In March, 1864, Mr. Kimmins united his fortunes with those of Miss Ann P. Nowlin and; by her be is the father of three children: Susan Melvina, wife of H. T. Mays; Robert Lee, a physician and surgeon in Iredell, Tex., and Minerva Frances. The Kimmins are of Irish descent, the great-grandfather of Joel W. having been a native of Ireland. Joel moved from Tennessee to Izard County, Ark., in 1866, and at the end of seven years started for Texas, but stopped in Benton County, Ark., and since that time has resided there the greater portion of the time. April 15, 1880, he was united in marriage to Nancy Walker, a native of Arkansas, her father being one of the early settlers, and Mattie Elizabeth (deceased), Lucile and an infant are their children. Mr. Kimmins supports the principles of the Democratic party, and cast his first presidential vote for Hancock. He owns forty-five acres of fine land, twenty-six acres being in orchard, and is engaged in shipping raspberries, peaches and apples.