Franklin J Kimpel
FRANKLIN J. KIMPEL, farmer and stock raiser of Kittanning township, Armstrong county, at present serving as supervisor, has passed all of his life on the old Kimpel homestead where he now resides. He was born there in 1862, son of John and Anna Catherine (Darbaker) Kimpel.
John Kimpel, the father, was a native of Hessen-Darmstadt, Germany, learned the trade of wheelwright, and married Anna Catherine Darbaker, also of Hessen-Darmstadt. Coming to America in 1853, in a sailing vessel, he landed at New York City, proceeding thence by canal to western Pennsylvania, to Leechburg, Armstrong county. He located first on a farm near Kelly Station, where he lived for four years, and then bought the place of 135 acres now occupied by his son Franklin. He built the house and made many other improvements during his lifetime, the barn and the other substantial buildings which add so much to the value of the property being put up by the present owner. He also embarked in the mercantile business, selling through the country from a wagon for a number of years, and in 1872 he went to Kittanning, where he had a store for five years. His industry and good management brought him success, and his honorable methods won him the respect of all who had dealings with him. He died in 1896, at the age of seventy-six, and his wife lived to the age of eighty. In religious belief he was a Lutheran, in politics a Democrat. He and his wife had a large family, namely: Elizabeth, born in Germany, died there; Conrad (deceased) was a farmer in Kittanning and Burrell townships; Elizabeth (2) married J. A. Woodward; Jacob, who died in 1907, at the age of fifty-nine, learned the baker's trade and later followed farming (he married Alice Rupert and they had two children, Perry C. and Maude P.); Lewis Edward was formerly engaged as a barber and is now a postal clerk at Driftwood, Pa.; Emma C. (deceased) married Fred A. Wood, master mechanic for the Westinghouse Company at Hammond, Ind.; Franklin died in infancy; Franklin J. is mentioned below.
Franklin J. Kimpel received a common school education. He has always lived at home, taking care of his parents in their old age, and improving the farm until it is now one of the most up-to-date places in this locality. He carries on general farming, raises berries and other fruits, and garden stuff, and has been very successful with his Jersey cattle, fine draft horses, O. I. C. Hogs and Grey Wyandotte chicks. His intelligent management and well-directed labors have been well repaid, and he is considered one of the most progressive farmers in Kittanning township. He has given some attention to the local government, having served two years on the township school board, and is at present supervisor. In politics he is identified with the Democratic party. He is a member of the Lutheran Church.
On April 7, 1886, Mr. Kimpel married Susanna Hankey, of Kittanning township, who died Nov. 2, 1892. In 1896 he married (second) Martha A. Miller, of Logansport, Pa., whose parents were farming people, formerly of Kittanning township, both now deceased. Her mother's maiden name was Sarah J. Klingensmith. Mr. Kimpel is the father of the following children: Elvena B., who lives at home, and who has been a teacher in Kittanning township for several years; Elsie F., wife of Edw. Guidel, a mill man and carpenter of Kittanning township (they have one child, Mildred E.); Harry L., a carpenter and contractor, who lives at home; John F. And Grace M., at home.
Source: Pages 715-716 Armstrong County, Pa., Her People, Past and Present, J.H. Beers & Co., 1914
Transcribed September, 1998 by Joyce Sherry for the Armstrong County Beers Project
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