************************************************
Copyright.  All rights reserved.
http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm
http://www.usgwarchives.net/mi/mifiles.htm
************************************************

Submitted by Cheryl VanWormer

				STEPHEN H. AND MARY JANE (WRIGHT) KIMBALL

	This gentleman--the son of Stephen Kimball, who was born in New Hampshire in 1785 and 
died in 1872--was born in St. Lawrence Co., N. Y., Feb. 2, 1827.  His mother, Mercy Styles 
Kimball, was born in Massachusetts in 1784, and became the mother of ten children, of whom 
Stephen H. was the youngest.  Stephen Kimball, Sr., served in the war of 1812, and moved with his
family to Calhoun Co., Mich., in 1831.  When Stephen H. Kimball was nineteen years of age his 
mother died, and a year afterwards he commenced work for himself, being employed by the month.  
In the fall of 1852 he went to California and remained for two years in the mines, making money 
enough to afford him a start in life.  Before leaving for the new "El Dorado" he had purchased 
one hundred and sixty acres of unimproved land in Lyons township, Ionia Co., and on his return he
purchased one hundred acres in addition.
	When he was thirty-two years of age he married Mary Jane Wright, of Lyons, the daughter 
of Samuel and Rebecca Wright, who lived in Marshall, where they were among the early settlers.  
Mr. and Mrs. Kimball are the parents of eight children, all living but one, and at home.  These 
are Henry L., Flora D., Minnie C., Emma Ann, Annie, Frankie, Hecler H., and one, between the 
first two named, who died.
	Mr. Kimball at present owns two hundred and eighty acres of land, mostly improved, and a 
house which ranks among the finest farm-dwellings in the State.  In politics he is a Democrat, 
but has never cared to hold office.  He is an esteemed and honorable citizen, a man of fine 
personal appearance, and an honor to the town in which he lives.



This biography is taken from "HISTORY OF IONIA AND MONTCALM COUNTIES, MICHIGAN" 
by John S. Schenck. Philadelphia:  D. W. Ensign & Co., 1881.  Page 261.  Lyons.