My Genealogy Hound

Ashford McKimpson, who devotes his time and energies to general farming and the raising and feeding of stock on section 17, Pleasant township, was born in Laporte county, Indiana, March 3, 1856, and was but seven years of age when brought to this county by his parents, Mr. and Mrs. Robert McKimpson, of whom mention is made in connection with the sketch of their son, Lewis McKimpson, on another page of this volume. Upon his father’s farm Ashford McKimpson was reared, the family home being established in Jones township, where he was trained to habits of industry and economy, working in the fields through the summer months and attending the public schools in the winter seasons. He gained intimate and accurate knowledge of the best methods of tilling the soil and caring for the crops and the occupation to which he was reared he determined to make his life work. Accordingly after he attained his majority he purchased eighty acres of land in Pleasant township and with characteristic energy began the further development and improvement of the place, which at the time it came into his possession was largely a wild tract. Here he has erected a pleasant dwelling and substantial barn, has fenced the fields, has set out fruit and shade trees and otherwise added to the value and attractive appearance of the place. He also raises Chester White hogs and has been quite successful in that branch of his business, his stock finding a ready sale and bringing high prices on the market.

Pleasantly situated in his home life, Mr. McKimpson was married in Jones township in 1888 to Miss Jennie Burgess, a daughter of Nathan Burgess, a sketch of whom appears elsewhere in this volume. They now have one son, Erden, who is a student in Toledo, Iowa. The parents are faithful and consistent members of the United Brethren church, being connected with Lemon chapel on section 9, Pleasant township. They are interested in the various departments of the church work and Mr. McKimpson is serving as one of the trustees. In politics he is a democrat but has never wanted office, as he has found that his business affairs make ample demand upon his time and attention. He has been a resident of the county from his youth and his life history is therefore well known to its people while the salient characteristics which he has displayed have commended him to the confidence and good will of those with whom he has been associated. He has also won a fair measure of success, being now the owner of eighty acres of land, which by reason of his care and cultivation has constantly increased in value.