| One Hundred and Fiftieth Anniversary of the Settlement of
Boscawen and Webster, BENJAMIN AMES KIMBALL The son of Benjamin and Ruth (Ames) Kimball, was born in Boscawen, 22 August, 1833. He received his preparatory education at the high school in Concord, and at Prof. Hildreth's school in Derry. He entered the Chandler Scientific Department of Dartmouth college at the opening of that department of the college in 1851, to fit himself for his chosen profession of mechanical engineer. He acquitted himself with credit in all the branches prescribed in the course of study, and was especially excellent in mathematics and draughting. His class was small, but it was composed of men who entered college with the purpose of making the most of themselves, and they worked with a will. He graduated with honor, 27 July, 1854, receiving the degree of Bachelor of Science 1 Aug., 1854.
He was a member of a special committee appointed by the city council of Concord, in 1871, to procure plans and specifications for an aqueduct to bring a supply of water from Long Pond; and in January following he was appointed a member of the board of water commissioners, to construct the works, substantially upon the plan and under the ordinance submitted by that committee. He continued an active member of the board for six years, and was its president for three years. In 1876 he was elected a member of the constitutional convention to revise the constitution of the state, and proved an efficient and valuable member of that assembly. He has been connected with the banking interests of the city for many years. He was trustee and president of the Concord Savings Bank until compelled to resign by ill-health, and is trustee of the Merrimack County Savings Bank at this time. He has been a director of the Mechanicks National Bank from its organization, and is now its president. January 11, 1879, he was elected to fill the vacancy in the board of directors of the Concord Railroad, caused by the death of Onslow Stearns, and has since been closely connected with its system of roads. In November, 1884, he was chosen councillor for the second district, and is now (1886) in office. This is a brief but honorable record of one whose life has
been devoted to industries and enterprises which are the source of general
prosperity. He married Myra Tilton, daughter of Ira Elliott, of
Sanbornton, 19 January, 1861. A son, Henry Ames, was born 19 October,
1864.
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©2004 Peter K Kimball |
Mr.
Kimball entered the employ of the Concord Railroad as draughtsman and machinist,
and was promoted 1 April, 1856, to be foreman of the locomotive department.
January 1, 1858, he succeeded his brother as master mechanic at the age of
twenty-six years. He continued in this position until 1 April 1865, when
he resigned to become a member of the firm of Ford & Kimball, manufacturers of
brass and iron castings, a business still successfully carried on by them.
In 1870 he was elected a member of the house of representatives from ward 6,
Concord, but declined a reelection in 1871.