Dallas County, TX - Biographies -  R.S. Kimbrough

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John Henry Brown's History of Dallas County, 1892, pp. 467-468

R. S. KIMBROUGH, the present State Senator from Dallas County, was born
in Tennessee, the son of J. C. and Martha Ann Kimbrough, natives of
Tennessee and Virginia. Our subject received his early education in his
native State, but the facilities for securing an education were not of
the best, but the environments of his youth stimulated and concentrated
though and action into lessons more useful than theory. With this kind
of training, and with a spirit of adventure, he came to Texas and
settled at Mesquite, August 26, 1874, with only a few dollars in his
pocket. He first engaged in school teaching, in which he soon came to
the front rank as an instructor, and his services were sought in various
places. His last school was taught in Linden, where he had a large and
flourishing attendance. In 1875 he returned to Tennessee, and spent some
time at the old homestead, but came again to Texas in 1876, and settled
in Clay County, building the first house ever erected in what is now the
populous town of Post Oak. He also improved a farm in this locality, and
when in proper condition sold it for sufficient capital to embark in the
mercantile business at Mesquite, where he has ever since been
successful. Mr. Kimbrough's political life opened with the Nineteenth
Legislature, having, run ahead of his colleague, who was also elected,
by 1,100 votes, demonstrating clearly his popularity. November 6, 1888,
he was elected to the Senate of the twenty-first session of the
Legislature of Texas, by a majority over his Union Labor competitor of
6,000 votes. He represents the Sixteenth district, composed of the
counties of Dallas, Kaufman and Rockwall. He served on the Committee on
Claims and Accounts, and also on other important committees. Senator
Kimbrough is a fluent speaker, an earnest and logical debater, and
exhibits great tenacity and skillful conduct, through the mazes and
opposition of legislators, of any measure be thinks will be a benefit to
the people, not alone of his section but of the State. He at once took
his natural position as one of the ablest men of the Senate, and
maintained it with rare skill and judgment throughout the session.
Perhaps his main characteristic is straightforward earnestness of
purpose and unflagging zeal of the object lie has in view. He is now yet
in the meridian of life, and has before him years of usefulness. He is
also doing a fine business in a mercantile way, and is the owner of a
good farm in the county.