My Genealogy Hound

Lewis McKimpson, who displays excellent management and keen business discernment in carrying on his farming and stock-raising interests, owns a productive tract of land of one hundred and thirty-four acres on section 21, Jones township. The house in which he now resides was his birthplace, his natal day being July 30, 1864. His father, Robert McKimpson, was a native of Tuscarawas county, Ohio, born September 11, 1815. There he was reared to manhood in the usual manner of farm lads of that period and after he had attained adult age he won a companion and helpmate for the journey of life through his marriage to Miss Catherine Reed, who was also born in Tuscarawas county. Following his marriage he engaged in farming for some time in Ohio and later removed to Laporte county, Indiana, where he made his home until 1863, when he came to Iowa and located on the farm upon which Lewis McKimpson now resides. In 1859 he had purchased one hundred and twenty acres of this property, upon which he built a comfort able dwelling and made other substantial improvements while actively carrying on the work of tilling the soil and raising such crops as are best suited to climatic conditions. Here as a respected and representative farmer he spent his remaining days, his death occurring on the 22d of December, 1887, when he had reached the age of seventy-two years. His wife still survives him and is a remarkably well preserved woman of eighty-eight years.

Lewis McKimpson is one of a family of three sons and four daughters who are yet living, and upon the farm which is yet his home he remained during his boyhood and youth, working in the fields through the summer months, while in the winter seasons he pursued his education in the public schools. To his father he gave the benefit of his services until twenty-four years of age and the practical experience which he gained in farm work has proven of marked value to him in his later years.

On the 30th of January, 1888, in Jones township, Mr. McKimpson was united in marriage to Miss Etta Burgess, a daughter of Nathan Burgess, of whom mention is made elsewhere in this volume. Her girlhood days were here passed and prior to her marriage she engaged in teaching. Following their marriage Mr. McKimpson took charge of the old homestead farm to the further development and improvement of which he has since given his attention. He has fenced the place, has brought the fields into a state of rich fertility and annually garners rich crops as the reward of his labors. He also raises some stock and is justly accounted one of the representative and progressive agriculturists of the community.

Unto Mr. and Mrs. McKimpson has been born one son, Ercell, and they have an adopted daughter, Hazel, whom they took into their home when six years of age and whom they are rearing and educating. In his political views Mr. McKimpson has always been a stalwart democrat, has served as township trustee and for two years was township clerk. He belongs to Thayer Lodge, I. O. O. F., in which he has filled all of the chairs and is a past grand. His entire life has been spent in this county and he has never wished to change his residence, recognizing the fact that Iowa offers good opportunities to its citizens. He has always engaged in farming, which George Washington said is the most useful and honorable occupation of man. In his business dealings he has ever been found reliable as well as energetic and as the years have gone by he has steadily progressed in his efforts to reach the goal of prosperity. His salient characteristics, too, are such as commend him to the friendship of those with whom he has come in contact, and both he and his wife are widely and favorably known here.