Biography of Philip B. Nimmons, page 1005 /1006.  History of De Kalb County, 
Indiana.  Inter-State Publishing Company, Chicago, 1885.

Philip B. Nimmons, farmer, and stock-raiser, was born in Broome County, N.Y., 
March 24, 1817, a son of Samuel E. Nimmons, and early settler of that county 
from New Jersey, who in 1832 moved his family to Richland County, Ohio.  In 
1844 Mr. Nimmons came to De Kalb County, Ind., and settled in Wilmington 
Township, where he now lives, on land entered by his brother James in 1837.  
Five acres were partially cleared, but there was no house on the land.  He 
immediately built a round-log house and moved his family into it.  When he 
left Ohio he had a wife and two children, forty sheep, a cow and calf and 
$27 in money.  He paid his last dollar for fruit trees and exchanged his 
sheep for provisions, and in that way began life in the wilderness.  He was 
taken sick and was obliged to sell forty acres of his 160 to pay for having 
his land cleared, but afterward bought it again.  He has always followed 
agricultural pursuits and stock-raising, giving the latter industry his 
special attention for the past six years.  When he began to give his 
attention to stock he bought a thoroughbred short-horn heifer of John 
Comstock, of Liberty Mills, Ind., for which he paid what was considered an 
exorbitant price.  How well he has succeeded can be seen by viewing the 
splendid herd he has on his farm.  The head of his herd is Sultan, No. 2, 
bred by D.F. Bedford of Kentucky, his sire being Prince Adra, and his dam 
Valley Princess, both prize animals at the Paris, Ky., exhibition.  He has 
eight head of thoroughbreds and ten or fifteen grades almost as good in 
appearance as thoroughbreds.  They sold two head of cattle at the Waterloo 
fair, and one calf six months old for $75.  They received eight first 
premiums at the Hicksville and nine at the Waterloo fair.  Their fatted 
cattle bring 1 ½ cents a pound more than other grades.  Durham are 
acknowledged to be the best beef cattle and are easier kept than other 
grades.  Although not considered as good milk cows as some other grade, 
Mr. Nimmons has one cow that is an exceptionally good milker.  The farmers 
of De Kalb County are indebted to Mr. Nimmons for his untiring industry in 
improving the stock.  Mr. Nimmons was married Nov. 14, 1840, to Mary A. 
Brink, daughter of Abram Brink. To them were born five children---Laura, 
Sarah, Mary, Emblen and Allie.  Laura married William S. Best, and 
attorney of Minneapolis, Minn.; Sarah married Hon. J. I. Best, one of the 
Supreme Court Judges of Indianapolis; Mary married James E. Rose, attorney 
of Auburn; Emblem, now in partnership with his father, married Eliza 
Kester.  Mrs. Nimmons died March 30, 1860.  In May,1861, Mr. Nimmons 
married Mrs. Mary Nimmons, daughter of Harvey Westfall.  They have one 
son---Frank W., who married Allie Yarlotts.  She had one son by her former 
marriage---George W.  Mr. and Mrs. Nimmons are member of the Presbyterian 
church.  Mr. Nimmons has never sought official honors but has served two 
teams as Justice of the Peace, and five or six years as Township Trustee.

Submitted by:
Arlene Goodwin
Auburn, Indiana
Agoodwin@ctlnet.com