My Genealogy Hound

Francis M. Kimes, proprietor of the Van Buren Carding Mills, was born in St. Francis County, Ark., January 14, 1842, and is a son of Valentine and Martha (Stell) Kimes. The father was of German descent, born in Virginia in 1811, and when fifteen went to Overton County, Tenn., with his father, Valentine. In 1831 he moved to Wayne County, Mo., where the father died, and in 1839 went to St. Francis County, where the following year he married the mother of our subject, who was born in South Carolina in 1821. In 1843 he returned to Wayne County, Mo., and in 1851 located in the northern part of Crawford County, where he and his wife still live. They have nine children living: Francis M., David G., James M., Jane, wife of L. Elkins; Hiram N., Thomas H., Louisa A., wife of Mr. Lester; Martha, wife of Thomas Trible, and Mary, wife of James Snell. Our subject came to Crawford County with his parents when nine years old, and here grew to manhood. In 1862 he enlisted in Company A, First Arkansas Cavalry, United States Volunteers. Among others he was present at the fights at Fayetteville and Perry Grove, and was captured near Bentonville in October, 1864, being retained at Tyler, Tex., until the surrender, and was discharged August 23, 1865. September 15, 1865, he married Miss Louisa A. Elkins, who was born in Virginia in 1844. This marriage has been blessed with eight children: Ulysses S., Abraham L., John W., William S., Virginia, Francis M., Lizzie and Thomas. Mr. Kimes farmed until 1877, and then moved to Van Buren, and established the wool carding mills, which he has since operated with success, running them about eight months during the year. He received the patent of the Kimes Cotton Planter in 1881, and has since been interested in the manufacture of that article, having made about 300 machines, which give general satisfaction. In politics he is a Republican, and he has served as treasurer of Crawford County two years. He is a Mason, and himself and wife belong to the Methodist Episcopal Church.