Dr. Joseph C. Kimsey Family

   Dr. Joseph C.² Kimsey was born 9 Dec 1819 in Virginia, the son of John¹ and Lydia (Bolen) Kimsey. His father was a native of New Jersey and his mother was born in England. When he was six weeks old his parents moved to Carroll County, Ohio and when fifteen years old, they moved to Allen County, Indiana, where he grew to manhood.
   On 6 Feb 1845 at Blue Creek, Adams County, Indiana he married Mary Dill, who was born on 6 Jun 1828, the daughter of William and Sarah (Hatfield) Dill.
   Joseph Kimsey studied medicine and kept a general store at Manmouth, Indiana for a few years. He then practiced medicine for a while at Fairfield Center in DeKalb County, Indiana and about the year 1855, moved to Salem Center, Indiana where he continued the practice of medicine and where he began a dry goods store about 1867. He continued in that business until he retired.
   Mr. Kimsey tried to enlist in the defense of the Union but was rejected because he was not able to meet the test of the medical examination. However, on 15 Oct 1864, he entered the service as a drafted man, serving in the 29th Indiana Infantry, Company “K” and remained in the army to the close of the war. He was mustered out on 26 June 1865 and his name is on the east side of the monument in Angola, IN.
   Joseph Kimsey died at the home of his daughter Mrs. Dole in Angola on 16 May 1910, aged 90 years 5 months and 7 days old. His wife Mary, died on 16 Sep 1905, both are buried in the Block Cemetery, Salem Township, Steuben County, Indiana.
Several sources stated they had 11 children, however only nine are listed in our county’s cemetery books, as follows:
1. William Edward³Kimsey (Joseph² , John¹) was born 12 Oct 1851 in Allen Co., IN. He married on 11 Apr 1872 to Elizabeth Dole, daughter of John and Susana (Kirkwood) Dole, who was born the 19 Mar 1851 in Huron County, Ohio. He became a farmer, merchant, postmaster, and notary public. He lived in Salem Township, Steuben County, Indiana until he was elected county clerk from 1886 to 1894, when he moved into Angola. Afterward he returned to Salem Center, and in 1913 moved to Arizona for the sake of his wife’s health. While there he developed some orange groves and became the president of the Scottsdale Bank until he retired. He also served as a justice of the peace at the time of his death, on 13 Apr 1924. His wife Elizabeth died 13 Oct 1932, both are buried in Circle Hill Cemetery, Angola, Indiana.
   They had three children as follows:
   1. Lois Irene⁴ Kimsey (William³, Joseph C.², John¹) was born 9 May 1873 and grew to womanhood. When her father was elected as county clerk, she assisted him in the office as deputy. At that time, she met and became aquainted with a struggling lawyer from Columbia City, IN who came to Angola to attend to court matters.
In September of 1895, Lois Kimsey made out her own marriage license and they were married by the Rev. R.E. Knopf, Congregational minister at the Kimsey home in Salem Center on Oct. 2. It was a small family wedding with both sets of her grandparents present, Mr. and Mrs. J.C. Kimsey and Mr. and Mrs. John Dole. After partaking of the banquet provided for this occasion, they left for a wedding trip to the east and south. On returning, they made their home in Columbia City.
   2. Wallace D.⁴ Kimsey married Ruth Woodford and died between 1930 and 1940.
   3. Morton Edward⁴Kimsey was born 7 May 1889 and was an office manager of the Arizona Public Service Company. He died in Jan of 1974 in Scottsdale Arizona, at the age of 85 years.
   2. Evans³ Kimsey, who died at 4 months of age.
   3. Thomas Brenton³ Kimsey, who died at 4 months of age.
   4. Joseph Elmer³Kimsey, who died at 7 months of age.
   5. Sarah Catherine³ Kimsey, who died 6 Jan 1859, age 4 years.
   6.&7. A set of infant twins, that are buried in Block Cem.
   8. Nancy Ellen³ Kimsey, was born 6 Nov 1859 and married the 6 Nov 1879 to Franklin Thomas Dole, son of John and Susana (Kirkwood) Dole, who was born in 1858. Frank Dole was a carpenter for many years, then he became a merchant, county treasurer, and owner of a canning business. Franklin Dole died in 1948 and Nancy died on 30 Apr 1938, both are buried in Circle Hill Cemetery, Angola, Indiana. They had four children:
   1. William Earl⁴Dole was born 28 Apr 1883 and married Edna Cowen, a daughter of Elmer and Francis Latson Cowen. She was born on 23 Jul 1882 and she died in 1972. .
   2. Floyd J. Dole was born 3 Jul 1887, married Mamie Snyder and died in May of 1969.
   3. Cora Mildred Dole was born 21 May 1890 and married Wayne McKillen, who was born 28 May 1890. She died 15 Jul 1986 and he on 15 Feb 1947.
   4. Lewis Pyrl Dole was born 20 Mar 1897 and died 13 Jan 1957.
   9. Mary Cora³ Kimsey was born in 1869 and married 8 Jan 1891 to George H. Parker, who was born in 1867. They lived in South Bend, Indiana and Columbus, Ohio for many years. George died in 1944 and Mary died 10 Nov 1937, both are buried in Block Cemetery, Salem Township, Steuben County, Indiana    They had at least two children,
   1. Lois Berniece⁴ Parker married Emett Knorr.
   2. Morton K. Parker.

And Now The Rest Of The Story----
   The struggling lawyer from Columbia City, that married Lois⁴ Kimsey was Thomas R. Marshall, only child of Dr. Daniel and Martha A. (Patterson) Marshall. He was born in North Manchester, IN on 14 Mar 1854, graduated from Wabash College in 1873 and was admitted to the Columbia City Bar in 1875. He became Governor of the State of Indiana from 1909-1913 and then was elected the 28th Vice-President of the United States, under President Woodrow Wilson, from 1913-1921. He enjoyed much popularity, becoming known for his humorous remarks. In 1917, during a Senate debate and a long speech by Senator Joe Bristow of Kansas on the needs of the country, Marshall turned to a clerk and said: “What this country needs is a good 5-cent cigar.” After his term in office ended in 1921, he returned to private life and a steady stream of lecture appearances, delighting audiences across the country with his wit.
   Thomas Marshall died of a heart attack on 1 Jun 1925 in the Willard Hotel in Washington D.C. Mrs. Marshall was a gracious, capable assistant and mentor to her husband. After his death, she made her home in Phoenix, Arizona, where she died on 6 Jan 1958. Both Thomas and Lois Marshall are buried in Crown Hill Mausoleum, Indianapolis, Indiana.

Sources:
1885 History of Steuben County, Indiana p. 727, 750;
History of Northeast Indiana (1920) Vol.2 p.69 (Biography of Frank Dole);
1955 History of Steuben County, Indiana p. 55-56
Obituaries of the following taken from the Steu.-Rep.: Joseph C. Kimsey, Wed. 18 May, 1910, P. 1 clm. 4 (picture); William E. Kimsey, 16 Apr 1924, P.1 clm. 4; Lois (Kimsey) Marshall, 8 Jan 1958, P.1 clm. 6; Mary (Kimsey) Parker, 17 Nov 1937 P.13 clm 5; Morton E. Kimsey, 6 Feb 1974;
Marriage Announcement, Steu.-Rep. 9 Oct 1895; “Brief Sketch of the Vice-President Elect and His Wife,” Steu.-Rep.Wed, 20 Nov 1912 (picture);
Audree’ Lewis Cemeteries of Steuben County (1990);
Audree’ Lewis Steuben County Marriages 1832-1890 (1967);
1870 IN Census, Steuben Co., Salem Twp. Printed P. 172, Written P. 5, (William Kimsey);
Family information sent to me by Paul Schoaff.

Compiled by Jean Ann Childers