Biographies
MOSES NIXON KIMBALL
It has been well said that the human soul
that has never been gauged is like the shining piece of iron ere it is
subjected to the tempering process essential to its conversion into
invulnerable steel, and certain it is that he who passed through the crucible
of experience without the loss of his finer qualities or of his faith in
humanity, is worthy of the highest esteem of his fellowmen. In the varied
career of Mr. Kimball, president of the well known firm of Kimball-Upson Co.,
who are conducting one of the largest sporting goods stores in the West, all
the trials and disillusionments inevitable to a man of his courageous spirit
and principles of right and honor have been present, yet it is the testimony of
all who know him well that his attitude toward mankind is most generous and his
optimism regarding life one of his leading characteristics.
Born in Council Bluffs, Iowa, June 23,
1862, Mr. Kimball was the fourth eldest child of a family of fourteen born to
Caleb and Frances (Nixon) Kimball, natives of Pennsylvania, and among the early
settlers of Iowa. Mr. Kimball is a thorough American, descended from the first
Puritan settlers of Massachusetts.
No question as to the validity of his
claim to membership in the organization of the Sons of the Revolution could
arise, since the direct ancestors of both his father and mother served in the
war for Independence. On the paternal side, his great-grandfather, Jacob
Kimball, while yet a mere boy, was among the first to enlist in a division
formed in Salem, Mass., while among his mother's illustrious progenitors were
both Col. Ethan Allen, distinguished in history not only because of his
wonderful service in the capture of Fort Ticonderoga, but in numerous other
engagements, as well, and John Nixon, president of the first Continental
Congress which convened in May, 1775, at Philadelphia.
Mr. Kimball received his early education
in the public schools of Iowa and served an apprenticeship under his father,
who followed the vocation of contractor and builder. In 1883 he left his home
in Council Bluffs to locate in Stockton, Cal., where he resumed his studies for
four years in Clark's Commercial College and Normal Institute, graduating from
both departments in 1887, after which he came to Sacramento, where he was
offered a situation in the Bainbridge Business College, serving efficiently two
years prior to entering into a real estate partnership with Charles F. Gardner,
who at that time was receiver of the United States Land Office at Sacramento. A
year later, in 1891, Mr. Kimball engaged in business for himself at 705 J
street, purchasing a bicycle stock, supplemented by a small line of sporting
goods, and in 1893, having in the interim taken Mr. L. S. Upson into the
company he transferred the business to the building on the corner of Seventh
and J streets, where the new bank of D. O. Mills now stands. During the
succeeding ten years, they continued their trade upon this site, and in 1903,
upon the incorporation of the firm as Kimball-Upson Co., moved to 609-611 K street, where they are still located.
Leaving the care of his interests in
Sacramento in capable hands, Mr. Kimball spent most of the eleven years from
1897 to 1908 in Alaska, where he was engaged in mining and speculating, during
this time spending seven or eight winters in the frigid north meeting the
adventures, hardships, fortunes and misfortunes incident to the northland.
Since 1908 he has resided in Sacramento, having resumed his old work in his
business house. On December 16, 1903, he was united in marriage with Miss Clara
Miller, a native of Georgetown, Cal., whose parents, John H. and Ellen
(Spencer) Miller, natives of California, were among the earliest settlers of
this state. Mr. Kimball is a member of the Aortic Brother-hood, the Pioneers of
Alaska, and the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, and he maintains a wide
interest in both civic and national developments, his special attention
centering in his home section which he is most generous in supporting. His wife
is widely known for her tact and culture and lends her assistance in many
important movements, sharing also her husband's varied interests.
Transcribed by Sally Kaleta.
Source: Willis,
William L., History of Sacramento County,
California, Pages 881-882. Historic
Record Company,
© 2006 Sally Kaleta.