Franklin Kimberlin

    Franklin Kimberlin, who is numbered among the heavy land owners and tax payers of Sullivan County, and now living retired in the suburbs of New Lebanon, is a native of Greene County, Indiana, born October 15, 1844, a son of Joseph and Susan (Bechtal) Kimberlin. The father was a native of old Virginia and the mother of Greene County, Indiana. They were married in Bloomfield, Indiana. He came with his father from Virginia, and the former entered government land near Bloomington, and there the family resided many years, but finally removed to Greene County. The grandparents both died there; their death occurring but twenty-four hours apart, both dying at night time. Joseph Kimberlin, the father of him for whom this sketch is written, remained in Monroe County until too aged to continue to farm, and then went to Sullivan County and made his home with his son Franklin until his death, about 1882. The mother had died about 1875. They were the parents of fourteen children and four are living:

    Franklin Kimberlin had the advantages of the public schools of Monroe County, and also attended the same while living in Greene County. On the theory that "Antagonism is the law of development" Mr. Kimberlin has forged his own way to the front rank, beginning to strive for himself and his own support at the age of ten years. His parents being unable to assist him he was forced to stem the tide by the force of his own will power, which, however, proved successful in the conflict, but the race for several years was indeed fierce. At the age of seventeen years (then probably called eighteen) he enlisted as a member of Company K, Fourteenth Indiana Regiment, under Captain Kelly, of Bloomington. The date of his enlistment was in 1862, and he served as a brave and loyal soldier for two years and ten months, participating in the battles of Fredericksburg (Virginia), Chancellorsville, Gettysburg, Cold Harbor, Spottsylvania, Bull Run, The Wilderness, Smoky Charge and Petersburg. Was on a raid in pursuit of General Lee until his final surrender. He was wounded three times -first in his first battle; secondly at cold Harbor, and the third day before the surrender he was wounded the third time. He was mustered out of U. S. service at Alexandria, Virginia, in the month of June, 1865, and after a short stay in Bloomington upon his return from the army he went to Greene County, Indiana, where he rented a farm for one year. He then lived a short time in Marshall, and then went to Crawford County, Illinois, where he purchased a farm containing forty-four acres. After two years sojourn there and in 1870 he sold and bought a farm in Gill Township, Sullivan County, Indiana, containing eighty acres, to which subsequently he added from time to time until he possessed seven hundred and eight acres, all within Gill Township, and this most excellent farm is at this date (1908) being operated by his son and son-in-law. In 1902 Mr. Kimberlin purchased a tract of sixteen acres in new Lebanon, which he now has finely improved, and there he expects to make his home and spend the remainder of his days. While he has met with misfortunes and given away as much  or more than he now possesses he may well count life a success, having served his country in time of peril, reared a family which is an honor to his name, and still possesses a goodly heritage of this world's good. At one time and another in his life, he belonged to various lodges and societies, but at the present is not connected with any of the orders. he is an acceptable member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and lives an upright, true citizenship before his fellow men.

    Mr. Kimberlin was married first, in the month of February, 1870, to Louisa Hite, born in Greene County, Indiana, a daughter of William and Dianah (Woodall) Hite, natives of Virginia and both now deceased. To this union were born three children:

    For his second wife Mr. Kimberlin married, in April, 1896, Mrs. Jennie Stedman, born in Pike County, Ohio, a daughter of James and Rebecca (Potts) Dunham, she having been previously married. Her parents were natives of Jackson County, Ohio, and the father farmed until his wife died about 1875, while he passed away in 1893. There was no issue by the second marriage. Mrs. Kimberlin had one son by her former husband -William Allan Stedman, a telegraph operator at New Lebanon, and who married Lelia Morris, of the village.

Source: A History of Sullivan County, Indiana. Closing of the first century’s history of the county and showing the growth of its people, institutions, industries and wealth. Thomas J. Wolfe, Editor. The Lewis Publishing Company, 1909, page 314-415.