BIOS: Henry S. KIMMELL, M.D., Somerset, Somerset County, PA

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BIOGRAPHICAL REVIEW, Vol. XXXII, Containing Life Sketches of Leading Citizens of 
Bedford and Somerset Counties, Pennsylvania. Boston, Biographical Review 
Publishing Company: 1899, pp 59-61.

  Henry S. Kimmell, M.D., a skilful and progressive physician of Somerset, Pa., 
was born in this town, June 20, 1857.  A son of the late Dr. Edmund M. Kimmell, 
he is of excellent German ancestry, and the lineal descendant of Philip Kimmell, 
a native of Germany, who came to America in the Colonial period.  Philip 
Kimmell, then a young man, took up land in the New Market, Frederick County, 
Md., where he cleared and improved a homestead, on which he passed his remaining 
days.
  The line was continued through Philip's son, Dr. John Kimmell, who received 
his medical education in York, Pa., and afterward settled as a practitioner in 
Berlin, Somerset County.  Studious, energetic, and ambitious, he met with 
eminent success, and was for many years considered the foremost physician of the 
county.  To him and his wife, Elizabeth Uhrick, nine children were born, Jacob, 
the grandfather of Dr. Henry S. Kimmell, being the second son.
  Jacob Kimmell was born, lived, and died in Berlin, Somerset County, and during 
his entire active life was conspicuously identified with its highest interests.  
A well-educated, intelligent man, he was far ahead of his day in ability and 
ideas, and had the courage of his convictions in all matters.  He followed the 
trade of a tinner for many years, and was also successfully engaged in 
mercantile pursuits.  For forty years he served most satisfactorily as Justice 
of the Peace, and for three years as Registrar, Recorder of Deeds, and Clerk of 
the Orphan's Court of Somerset County, having been appointed to the later 
offices by Governor Rittner.  He married Margret, daughter of John Skoles, of 
Chambersburg, Pa.  Of their seven children three survive- John O., Charles A., 
and Theodora.  John O. Kimmell is an honored and leading member of the Somerset 
bar and a much respected citizen.  He possesses sound judgment, and has 
creditably filled various offices of trust and responsibility.  He married Mary, 
daughter of John Parker, of Somerset and has had nine children.  Of these, four 
are still living, namely: William A., Parker Y.; Emily, who married the Hon. 
George F. Baer, of Reading, Pa.; and Margaret.
  Edmund M. Kimmell, son of Jacob and Margret, was born and bred in Berlin, Pa., 
where he began the study of medicine with his grandfather, Dr. John Kimmell.  He 
afterward entered the Jefferson Medical College in Philadelphia, from which he 
received his degree in 1850.  After practicing his profession a year in Berlin 
and an equal length of time in Salisbury, Somerset County, Dr. E. M. Kimmell 
settled in Somerset.  He devoted his time and his strength to his profession, 
built up a very large and lucrative practice, and won a place of prominence both 
as a physician and as a citizen.  He died while yet in the prime of his life, at 
the age of fifty-six years.  He was a firm Republican in his political 
affiliations and an active member, with his wife, of the Christian church.  He 
married Emma J., daughter of Henry Schell, of Shellsburg, Pa., and she too died 
at the age of fifty-six years.  They had eleven children, six of whom are now 
living, namely: Ella, who is the wife of Jonas M. Keefer, of Somerset, and has 
three children- Emily, Clark, and Edmund; Clara, wife of Ed B. Coffroth and 
mother of five children- Helen, Henry, Frank, Ross, and Mary; Henry S., the 
special subject of this sketch; Frank M., who married Mabel Meserve, and has one 
child, Schell; Louise M., who is the wife of Lewis W. Fogg, and has five 
children- Edmund, Lewis, Dana, Lucy, and Dorothy; and William, who is attending 
the Medico-Chirurgical College at Philadelphia, Pa.
  Henry S. Kimmell, having received the rudiments of his education in the public 
schools of Somerset, afterward attended the State Normal School at Millersville 
one term.  He subsequently prepared himself for the medical profession by taking 
a thorough course of study at the Jefferson Medical College in Philadelphia, 
from which he was graduated in 1880, just thirty years later than his father.  
Upon leaving that institution and until the death of his father he was 
associated with him in business, and since that time has continued the practice 
alone.  Dr. Kimmell is a master of his profession and well worthy of the eminent 
esteem in which he is held professionally and socially.  He has been County Home 
and County Jail Physician for the past fourteen years, and is now chief examiner 
for various fraternal and beneficial organizations and for many insurance 
companies.  He served eight years on the United States Pension Examining Board.  
He is a member of the Somerset County Medical Association, of which he was 
president; a member of the Pennsylvania State Medical Association; and also of 
the B. & O. R.R. Surgeons' Association.  He is a Republican in politics, and for 
twelve years has served acceptably as School Director.  Fraternally, the Doctor 
belongs to Somerset Lodge, No. 358, F. & A. M.; to Somerset Lodge No. 438, 
I.O.O.F., in which he has passed all the chairs; and is an active member of the 
Royal Arcanum.
  On October 26, 1880, Dr. Kimmell married Sarah S. Schrock, daughter of Major 
E. M. Schrock, who served in the late Civil War, and is now a well-known 
resident of Seattle, Wash.  Four children have blessed their union; namely, 
Clara, Edna, Margret, and Emily.  The Doctor and Mrs. Kimmell are both active 
members of the Christian church.