Copyright USGenNet Inc., 2012, All Rights Reserved U.S. Data Repository Please read U.S. Data Repository Copyright Statement on this page: Transcribed and submitted by Linda Talbott for the US Data Repository http://www.us-data.org/ ========================================================================= U.S. Data Repository NOTICE: These electronic pages may NOT be reproduced in any format for profit or presentation by any other organization. Non-commercial organizations desiring to use this material must obtain the consent of the transcriber prior to use. Individuals desiring to use this material in their own research may do so. ========================================================================= Formatted by U.S. Data Repository Chief Archivist, Linda Talbott All of the above information must remain when copied or downloaded. =========================================================================== OBITUARY: Kimmell, John W. SOURCE: Crestline Advocate, February 25, 1893 Another Pioneer Gone Died of paralysis, on the 21st inst., at 12:25 o'clock P.M., John Kimmell, aged 72 years, 7 months and 22 days. Mr. Kimmell was born in Wayne county, but his parents moved to Richland county when he was only four years old. Here he grew to manhood and was married to his first wife, Miss Elizabeth Potts in 1842, by whom he had 7 children. Only three of these survive him. In 1852, with his family, he moved to Crestline, which at that time could scarcely be called a town. His first employment here was as a clerk in the general store of T. C. Hall. The first and at the time, I believe, the only store in this frontier village. In mercantile occupations however, Mr. Kimmell was out of his element. He was a natural mechanic, and the saying had almost passed into a proverb that "John Kimmell can make anything." He remained with Mr. Hall but a short time, I think only a few months when he was employed as boss of a gang of men to get out cross ties for the construction of the Ohio & Pennsylvania railroad, now the Pennsylvania railroad. He built about this time for Jesse R. Straughn, a civil engineer, and afterwards superintendent of the above road, the Crestline house. After the R. R. Co. had erected their shops and round house here, Mr. Kimmel was employed as their pattern maker. This position he held for many years, until that department was removed to Ft. Wayne. Since which and up to the time when he was obliged to quit work, on account of sickness, about two years ago, he had charge of a lathe in the machine shop. Mr. Kimmell's first wife died in 1862. In 1863 he was again married to Miss Sarah Fink, who survives him. The fruits of this union were nine children, eight of whom are still living. Mr. Kimmell was sober, exceptionally industrious, a frugal and honest man. It is not necessary for me to say that he was highly respected by everybody that knew him, for this is a well known fact. He was not naturally social in his habits, yet he had many very warm friends. As already mentioned he was by nature a mechanic. It was not necessary for him to serve an apprenticeship to a trade in order to become proficient in it. Mechanics with him seemed to be instinct. He could make musical instruments. I am told he at one time built a piano. He made a number of artificial lims which gave excellent satisfaction. He made guns, boats, toy ducks, incubators and clocks. In connection with clocks a most singular incident occurred. Some five years ago he made a clock with one of those cuckoo attachments and which has been running ever since. When the old gentleman drew his last breath, that clock stopped. The above was told me and is vouched for by at least a half dozen or more credible eye witnesses. Many a man with Mr. Kimmell's ability as a mechanic, his industrious and ecunimcal habits, would have accumulated an independent fortune, but when it is considered that he raised seventeen children the wonder is that he was able to become the possessor of a very comfortable home which he left unincumbered to his family. For nearly two years he was almost a total physical and mental wreck. His wife had the sole care of him during all this time. Language is (unreadable) to describe what she had to contend with in those twenty- three months. It was simply martyrdom. A number of times the citizens of Crestline insisted that he must be taken away so that she would be relieved of his care, but she firmly and persistently refused to have him taken from his home, and the community will respect and esteem her for her devotion and sacrifices. The funeral will take place this afternoon at two o'clock from the presbyterian church, Rev. J. E. Andrews conducting the service."