LELAND C. KIMBALL

Sacramento County

Biographies

LELAND C. KIMBALL

LELAND C. KIMBALL.--That twentieth century science, aiding practical American technology, has made possible the most wonderful advancement in the field of irrigation, is demonstrated by the extensive, successful activities of Messrs. L. C. Kimball & Company, of Elk Grove, who have sunk about 94 per cent of all the large wells in the community during the past five years. This sort of enviable performance one might expect very naturally of a native-born Californian; but if, by any chance, say accidentally, a Californian could not be found handy at the time that the service was called for by progressive humanity, then a good, old-fashioned Yankee, such as comes from New Hampshire, would be the next individual most likely to fulfill expectations.

Leland C. Kimball, the head of this firm, came from Lebanon, N. H., where he was born on May 13, 1893, the worthy descendant of Herbert J. and Lena (Comings) Kimball, who left their Eastern environment in 1908, came out to California, and stopped at Elk Grove, when it was in its infancy. They were farmers, and so they threw themselves into agricultural pursuits. Leland C. Kimball attended the high school, and made a specialty of both chemistry and geology, and although at first he embarked on a modest business venture, he profited a good deal, in a scientific way, from his studies, which led him to look ahead into larger fields. He opened a candy store at Elk Grove, but soon sold it and joined the J. Breuner Company of Sacramento, where he learned interior decorating, which he followed for five years. In 1917 he took over the business which had been established by his father, who had come to make a specialty of well-drilling, and had perfected the finest system of irrigating by pumps and wells; and they have done almost all the important work in that field called for by those residents wishing to improve their property with better irrigation. They handle the Byron Jackson turbine and centrifugal pumps and electric motors, provide well-casing, irrigation pipe, windmills, tanks and gas engines, and sink deep-water wells and furnish complete installations of irrigation plants with pressure systems.

Mrs. Kimball, before her marriage on August 11, 1915, was Miss Rowena Baker, of Elk Grove, and they have two children, Leland C. and Doris Ruth. Mr. Kimball belongs to the Odd Fellows; politically he is a man above party, and supports enthusiastically all approved local movements. When in need of recreation, he goes fishing and hunting.

Transcribed by Barbara Gaffney.

Source: Reed, G. Walter, History of Sacramento County, California With Biographical Sketches, Page 668. Historic Record Company, Los Angeles, CA. 1923.