White County GaArchives Biographies.....Kimsey, John J. ************************************************ Copyright. All rights reserved. http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm http://www.usgwarchives.net/ga/gafiles.htm ************************************************ File contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by: Iris Thompson Fry IrisAngelLink@aol.com May 18, 2005, 5:46 pm Author: Memories of Georgia 1895 John J. Kimsey, lawyer, Cleveland, Ga., son of Thomas M. and Emeline (Stover) Kimsey, was born in Cherokee county, May 23, 1849. His paternal great grandfather, Benjamin Kimsey, was a native of Ireland, immigrated to this country before the Revolutionary War and settled in North Carolina. His grandfather, also named Benjamin was born in Buncombe Co., N.C. where he lived until he died. Mr. Kimsey's father was born in Buncombe Co., N.C. in 1802 where he was raised. Early in life, he, with his brother William, came to Georgia and settled in Habersham Co., Ga. (now White County) and engaged in farming and stock-raising. For forty years of his life he was a minister of the Baptist Church and preached in border counties of Ga., and N.C., by whose people he was highly esteemed. He died May 1, 1864. His wife was a native of Habersham county and by her he had nine children: Sarah, wife of G.M. Dodd; Rebecca, wife of Hon. W.A. Reeves; White County; Adeline, wife of W.G. Blackwell; James P.; John J., the subject of this sketch; Georgia, wife of T.A. Christy; Singleton M.; Henry D. and Louisa. Mr. Kimsey was about a year old when his father settled in what is now White County and which he was raised and educated. Deciding to adopt the legal profession he commenced the study of law under Hon. M.G. Boyd, then of Cleveland, now of Dahlonega, Ga., and at the March term of Hall Superior Court, 1873, Judge George D. Rice, presiding, he was admitted to the bar. He located in Hiawassee, Ga.Towns Co. but in 1874 he moved to Cleveland where he has since lived and practiced law. He has risen rapidly in his profession, won an enviable reputation and the confidence of a large and influential clientage. He is regarded as one of the soundest lawyers in the circuit, is a safe councelor and an able advocate and does a large general practice in the northeastern circuit. He has managed important cases successfully before the Supreme Court of Ga., and had much to do with establishing judicial precedents in the tribunal. In 1877, at the age of 28 he was elected to represent White County in the General Assembly and was re- elected in 1880 and 1882, serving three terms. Among other committees he was placed on Judiciary, one of the most important where his legal acquirements made him a potential power in shaping its recommendiations for legislative action. His influence and usefulness as a wise legislator and in behalf of the interests of his constituents cannot be overestimated. Oct. 29, 1894, he was elected to the general assembly judge of the superior court of the northeastern judicial circuit for the term of four years. Mr. Kimsey was married Dec. 23, 1876 to Miss Lou E., daughter of Hon. C.P. Craig of White County and a former member of the general assembly. Three children have blessed this union: Minnie, Bertha and Bonnie. Early in 1886 Mrs. Kimsey died and in the latter part of the same year he married Miss Nora, daughter of M.R.T. Kenimer of Cleveland, Ga. and of the children born to them, two; Fannie and Clifton Clay are living. Being comparatively young and of commanding ability, few men have before them brighter prospects for professional distinction and political prefererment. Transcribed by: Iris Thompson Fry File at: http://files.usgwarchives.net/ga/white/bios/kimsey305bs.txt This file has been created by a form at http://www.poppet.org/gafiles/ File size: 3.9 Kb