Benjamin Ames Kimball

Pages 441-449

BENJAMIN AMES KIMBALL
[CONTRIBUTED BY HON. CHARLES R. CORNING.]

The second son of Benjamin and Ruth (Ames) Kimball, Benjamin Ames Kimball, was born in Boscawen, August 22, 1833.  The house in which his parents were living at the time stood east of what in those days was known as the "Johnson tavern," but which has since then for more than a generation has been familiarly known as "Bonney's."  After Mr. Kimball, senior's, death, the following year, his widow and her little family moved to the Mill house situated on the highway leading from Concord to Boscawen, being the first house north of the bridge in Penacook on the left as one ascends the hill.  A few years later Mrs. Kimball moved to the Deacon Cogswell house on Boscawen Plain opposite the Congregational meeting-house.  Here the boy went to the "Gulf school," and at the same time received, along with his elementary learning, vivid impressions of the little world about him.  A lively impression of the period was furnished by the famous Harrison and Tyler campaign of 1840, when down the dusty road rumbled a typical log cabin, one day, drawn by eight oxen.  Concord was to be the scene of a grand Whig demonstration, whither wended thousands of earnest men from all parts of the state.  The magnet of the great meeting, however, was the log cabin that rolled over Boscawen Plain on its way from Franklin to the capital.  All the town turned out to see the sight, for, standing in the doorway of the cabin, was no less distinguished a personage than Daniel Webster.  The boy of seven years remembered with great distinctness the event of the day.  As the people crowded around the float Mr. Webster cordially shook their hands, and made a brief speech.  he also invited his friends to take a drink of hard cider, of which there was a plentiful stock in the barrels ranged alongside the cabin walls.  Here, too, the boy first caught sight of his friend of later years, George W. Nesmith, who on that occasion was acting as keeper of the spigots.

Another youthful impression was that of the celebrated comet of 1842, whose streamers lighted the earth for a considerable period, and caused an intense excitement throughout the land.  Subsequently, while a student at Dartmouth, Mr. Kimball spent many pleasurable hours in figuring out the course of the celestial visitor which he had beheld in his boyhood.

In 1845, John, his elder brother, having settled at Lowell, made a home for Mrs. Kimball and her son.  There the youth went to the public schools, and formed an attachment for his teachers - which has never weakened.  It was in the railroad yard at Lowell that the taste for locomotives and mechanics began manifesting itself, and many were the rides in the engine enjoyed at that time.  It was before the days of protecting cabs, consequently the kindly engineer used to strap his youthful assistant to a seat in order to ensure his safety.

In 1847 the family moved to Lawrence, where John Kimball became connected with the Essex company as mill builder, and where Benjamin A., after a brief turn at private tuition, soon found himself at work in the same corporation as a helper.  Mr. Kimball looks back on that experience as the occasion that brought to him the first dollars he ever earned.

At last the mother and her sons were to have a permanent home, for in 1849 the family came to Concord.  Here Mr. Kimball began earnestly his education, attending the old High school then kept by Master Mason, and at the same time allowing his innate taste for enginery to have full play.  The circumstance that his brother John was master mechanic of the Concord railroad had, perhaps, more or less to do with the young man's experience with locomotives.

After a year in the High school it was determined that Benjamin should be fitted for the Chandler Scientific school, a department of Dartmouth college, then about to be opened at Hanover, therefore he went to Derry, where he entered a preparatory school kept by Professor Hildreth.  In the fall of 1851 Mr. Kimball presented himself for admission to the Scientific school, and was duly examined by James W. Patterson, who was at that time a professor in the college.

As the Chandler school had just been organized with Prof. John C. Woodman at its head, Mr. Kimball and his classmates had the honor of making the first graduating class to receive the new degrees of Bachelor of Science.  He was graduated on the 27th of July, 1854, and three days later had entered the Concord railroad service as a machinist and draughtsman.

In this position Mr. Kimball brought into action both study and practice, designing the well-remembered engine "Tahanto," and so proving his abilities that in January, 1858, he succeeded his brother John as master mechanic, a fairly responsible office for a man twenty-five years of age.  Within a twelvemonth another promotion came, making him superintendent of the locomotive department.  In this position he remained until 1865, when he left the railroad to form a partnership with Theodore H. Ford in the foundry business.  This firm continued for many years, or until the decease of Mr. Ford in 1892, when Mr. Kimball retired, but the old firm name still continues in the business connection formed by the sons of the original members, Jerome Ford and Henry A. Kimball.  At the present time this business, largely developed and extended, is one of Concord's leading industries.  Notwithstanding Mr. Kimball's retirement from the railroad, he never really severed his relations with the corporation, for there always remained certain business connections springing out of old business associations.  But circumstances were so as to force Mr. Kimball to the front, and make him a prominent figure in the railroad history of the state.  If a man was ever well fitted and trained, both by experience and application, to grapple with the complex questions of modern railway management, such a man was Mr. Kimball.  Although he had long been a stockholder in the Concord road, he had never given particular attention to the affairs of the corporation up to the time he succeeded to the vacancy in the board of directors caused by the death of ex-Gov. Onslow Stearns.  This was in January, 1879.  From that day no man has worked harder or more persistently to promote and conserve the vital interests of the corporation.  For fifteen years the domain of the old Concord road was the constant battle ground of foreign and domestic rivalry, and during that period Mr. Kimball bore on his shoulders more, far more, than his share of the burdens.  Upon his strength and judgment has centred the policy of the great company with its varied and important interests, and it is well known that, had his advice been heeded, the Concord road would be to-day the parent railroad corporation of New Hampshire.  To relate the records and the business diplomacy of the decade and a half would furnish a chapter of state history at once interesting and important.

But the affairs pertaining to railroads, absorbing as they have proved to be, have not marked the limits of Mr. Kimball's business energies.  In banking he has long been interested and to it he has devoted a large part of his time.  From 1874 to 1877 he was president of the Concord Savings bank, an institution whose unfortunate history is well remembered in Merrimack county, and in the work of reestablishing its standing, Mr. Kimball came near sacrificing his health.  As it was his physician ordered him to Europe for absolute rest, and he spent a year abroad with his wife and son, returning home with mind and body refreshed and restored.  At the organizing of the Mechanicks National bank Mr. Kimball became a director and succeeded to the presidency on the death of Josiah Minot in 1891.

However, it would be a long narrative to enumerate Mr. Kimball's trusteeships and directorships in New Hampshire railroads, banks, and industrial companies, but it may be justly said that in the number and extent of his trusts, he is exceeded by no citizen in the state.

In the concerns of Concord, he takes deep interest and his advice and aid are often sought.  When the project of introducing water from Lake Penacook was first discussed, he manifested an interest that led to his appointment as one of the water commissioners, an office which he held several years, serving meanwhile as chairman of the board and continuing until the system was an assured success.

Naturally enough of the characteristics that have brought success in a business point of view could hardly remain dormant amid the grave public questions of the time, therefore Mr. Kimball has long been a prominent figure in politics.  From his youth he has never swerved in his support of the party that declared for freedom and national integrity; he has remained a staunch adherent to the policies of the Republican party, yet his party rewards have been singularly modest.  One term in the legislature, 1870, twice a member of constitutional conventions, 1876 and 1889, and one term as state councilor (1887-1889), comprise his political preferment's.

This last named office, held during the administration of Governor Currier, brought duties of an agreeable nature, appealing to his tastes and business habits.  His term was marked by more than the ordinary councilor routine inasmuch as the time proved to be of unusual civic importance.  As chairman having in charge the installation of the Webster statue and the ceremonies at its dedication he found free scope for the excise of his social qualities and executive abilities, for the occasion, it will be remembered, was one of national reputation.  Governor Currier again recognized Mr. Kimball's fitness for such duties by appointing him delegate to represent New Hampshire at the centennial commemoration of the constitutional convention of 1787 held at Philadelphia.

In 1880 Mr. Kimball attended the famous Chicago Republican National convention as alternate of William E. Chandler, and in 1892 he went to Minneapolis as a delegate at large.

Perhaps the most conspicuous and the most enduring public service rendered by Mr. Kimball has been his work on the state library building.  Although but one of a commission composed of men peculiarly gifted and qualified, his thorough, lifelong experience in practical building together with a keen sense of architectural beauty and propriety attracted to him more than his share of the undertaking, a burden, however, cheerfully accepted and borne.  Aside from this work, Mr. Kimball has certainly accomplished other appreciated works in the construction of the beautiful railway station, and in the planning and establishing of the splendid system of company shops at the south end.

There is still another work somewhat of a semi-public nature in which Mr. Kimball has given and is continuing to give a full measure of devotion for to him it is essentially a work of love and pride.  Under the terms of Abiel Chandler's will, the management of the scientific school founded by him at Hanover was conferred on two visitors and it was further arranged that in case of a vacancy occurring the remaining visitor had the power to nominate his associate.  In accordance with this provision the vacancy in the board caused by the resignation of Charles F. Choate of Boston was immediately filled by Jeremiah Smith, the remaining visitor by the nomination of Mr. Kimball.  This took place in 1893.  Within a twelvemonth, however, a vacancy occurred in the membership of the college trustees by the decease of ex-Gov. Benjamin F. Prescott, whereupon the board at once elected Mr. Kimball to succeed him.  It so happened that this trusteeship was almost coincident with the accession of the Rev. William J. Tucker to the presidency of Dartmouth.  It all took place just at the time when the affairs of the college assumed a new energy and direction, and it is not overstating the truth to say that the conjunction of Dr. Tucker and Mr. Kimball at the same time and in the existing circumstances was of inestimable value to Dartmouth.  In a word it was the beginning of the new Dartmouth.  Dr. Tucker's clear vision revealed the great necessities of the college, while his strong mind began to form liberal and comprehensive plans for its improvement and growth.

It was a labor of vast undertakings, inasmuch as the proposed plans involved not only the augmentation and expansion of the curriculum but the erection, practically, of the physical or material forces incident to the college changes.  Assigned to the committees on finance and buildings and improvements, Mr. Kimball entered at once on his appointed task.  From that moment Dr. Tucker has had a stout and helpful supporter in Mr. Kimball, one that has stood ready at all times to do his utmost in the splendid work of college transformation.  How vast and comprehensive the material changes have been can only be realized by one who knew Dartmouth as it was prior to Dr. Tucker's coming to Hanover.  To that person the changes and improvements, the architectural progress described in the rows of stately buildings and in building promises yet to be carried out, suggests resources little suspected a decade ago.  The great work of progressive construction is proceeding systematically, not to pause until the campus of ancient Dartmouth is flanked with college structures beautiful and inviting and in all respects befitting the new college.

There is one part of new Dartmouth particularly associated with Mr. Kimball's name, and that is the modern and comprehensive central plant for heating the widely separated buildings belonging to the college.  Over the problems involved in the undertaking Mr. Kimball brought to bear the experiences of a lifetime, measuring successive steps with the greatest care, and working out in the end one of the completest and most successful systems of the central heating plant anywhere to be found.

In another matter Mr. Kimball has worked with Dr. Tucker to bring about a result of transcendent importance to the college, a result having to do with the relations subsisting between the college itself and the Chandler Scientific school.  When that school was organized it was recognized as a separate and independent department of the college having its own foundation and its own officials.  In course of time, however, an increasing inconsistency of purpose was manifested in the school which finally led to an exhaustive study of the conditions by the two visitors, Mr. Kimball and Judge John Hopkins, who set forth their views in a report which became the basis upon which a reorganization was soon effected.  This departure from the old methods has been productive of great good to the Chandler department and to the college as well, for by it a double plant has been averted and ad duplication of studies has been avoided.  What, in days gone by, was distinctly known as the Chandler school has now become a regular college department with scientific courses parallel with the other courses, and with all the students classified together under one faculty.  In a word, the Chandler school has become merged in Dartmouth college.  In his active participation in the creation of the modern Dartmouth Mr. Kimball has achieved a reputation for usefulness and thoroughness of endeavor which will always keep his name prominent among the names of those who have given their best to the service of their alma mater.

Mr. Kimball has reached that stage in life when a certain amount of leisure is desirable.  His Concord residence, one of the most beautiful and well arranged in the state, contains many works of art, comprising particularly choice paintings collected during journeys to Europe.  For many summers Mr. Kimball and his family lived at his cottage at Straw's Point, but in the late eighties he happened to go on Locke's Hill, so called, in Gilford, a bold and impressive promontory rising over Winnipesaukee, and was straightway fascinated and attracted by the superb location.  The consequence was that he bought the promontory and erected thereon a substantial summer residence.  There he finds relief from the worries of the day in the magnificent landscape of scenery unsurpassed, of lake, and distant mountain peaks.

In the affairs of the New Hampshire Historical society his interest is marked, and from 1894 to 1897 he filled the chair as president.

Mr. Kimball and his family are attendants at the South Congregational church.  In the affairs of this society Mr. Kimball bears a prominent part, and he has been one of the generous contributors.

On the 19th of January, 1861, Mr. Kimball and Miss Myra Tilton Elliott, daughter of Ira and Rhoda Ames Elliott of Sanbornton Bridge, were married at the home of Miss Elliott's stepfather, Labon Morrill, in Canterbury.

Henry Ames Kimball, their only child, was born at Concord on the 19th of October, 1864.  He received his education in private schools and from the instruction of tutors, studying subsequently in Europe and completing his course at London, England, where the degree of "Fellow of the Society of Literature, Science and Art" was conferred upon him.

©2004 Peter K Kimball