The Somerset herald. [volume] (Somerset, Pa.) 1870-1936, 1890-05-28
Erancis Marion Kim nell.

cOuhlutTaDlN
Francis Marion Kimm
From the Franklin Repository.
Judge F. NJ. Kimmei died at his residence
on East Market street on Monday evening
al $50 O'Clock.
The news of Judge Kimmels death was
known to few on Monday evening but 1t
was not until Tuesday morning that 1t be-
came generally known and the sad hdlngs
was great shock TO the community There
was universal sorrow shown and expressions
Of grief and regret were heard on all sides,
for no one of our citizens was held in greater
esteem for his kind and charitable deeds.
Judge Kimmell had been in failing health
for a year or two past. He had never been
in perfect health since the accident which
happened him in Somerset about fifteen
years ago when he fell into the cellar OF
house that had been burned and received
severe wounds on his head and body. The
death of his fayorite daughter, Mrs. Beckie
Sullivan of Chicago, in January last, was
severe shock to him and he never recovered
from it. He formerly suffered much with
rheumatism but Bright's Disease was the
cause of his death.
He was in Court for the last time on
Thursday the sth inst, and made speech
in civil case. Since that time he has been
confined to the house, having his bed in his
front Office and transscting business there.
Only on Monday morning before he died
he attended to some business for his clients.
In the afternoon and evening he grew worse
and suffered intensely. His family and
physician were summoned to his bed side
about eight o'clock He realized his con-
dition. said the end was coming and talked
Quietly and calmly to those about him.
His last words were spoken TO his wife who
sat bv his bedside A little after nine
O'Clock he grew unconscious and seemed no
longer to suffer any pain until at $3.50 he
quietly breathed his last.
Frances Marion Kimmell was born in
Berlin, Somerset county, Pa, on September
4th. 1876. and was accordingly in his 74th
wear at the time of his death. lie was the
eldest son of Jacob and Margaret kimmell.
In 1886 he began to read law with jeremiah
S. Black. afterwards justice of the Supreme
Court, and during his reading acted as CLERK
for his father who was then Register and
Recorder of Somerset county. In 1883 he
was admitted to the bar and continued to
praciice with great success until the fall ol
1850 when he was elected president judge ol
the 10th Judicial District composed OF Som
erset Bedford Fulton, and Franklin coun-
ties. At the end of his term, which was o.
great honor and credit, he removed to Cham
bersburg and has ever since practieed law
here always in the very front ranks of the
members Of bar distinguished all over the
State for the ability of its members. His
practice was very large and profitable anc
! he possessed the confidence and esteem o
/ his clients to remarkable degree. The
poor man who had little or no money to pay
a LAWYER. always found Judge kimmel
willing 10 take his case and many OF hi
hardest fought legal battles were in behalf
of clients who could never repay him.
Never did more charitable citizen liv'
in our community. He gave to ever deserv
ing charity and turned deaf ear to no vel
grounded appeal. His gifts to charitable
objects amounted to thousands of dollars
and the remarkable thing about 1t is tina
few people in Chambersburg knew of hi
liberality. except the recipients of his iavors
for he never let his good deeds be known
and showed very strong aversion to hav
ing his name published in connection witt
a eift 10 any charity The poor fund of th
town. which is collected every Winter ha'
IN him its most liberal contributor. Man,
\ moor widow has been made comfortable b,
MIN. The colored people of our town al
loved him and their expressions of grief a
his death are indeed touching The tw
colored churches in town could never haV
besn built without bis assistance
In politics Judge Kimmell was stron
Democrat. His great popularity in this lie
publican stronghold was shown by the Vol
he received when a candidate for o'acs
Though always an unwilling candidate, y'
when he responded TO the calls of his part
he made strong fight. He was deieate
for Congress twice once. by John. Cessna an
the second time in 1882 by Congressma
Atkinson. His two campaigns for tn
Judeeship in which he was defeated by jude
Rowe and Judge Stewart are still too we
remembered to need mention here Judg
KimmeI was a member of the Campbell
or Christian church. OF late years he h'
been a regular attendant Of Trinity Eplscc
nal church. He was member OF the We
try and gave literally to the support OF Il
church.
, The deceased was married to Phoe'
lane Forward, daughter Of Chauncy 10
ward of Somerset who survives him. MI
Kimmell vas a sister Of Mrs jeremiah
BLACK. There are four daughters iivlnl
$ Mrs. Jane K. Carver Of Harrisburg Nj
= Marion Neal Of Wheeling, W. Va, end MI
, Mary Plough and Mrs. Pauline Harbaul
4 Of Chambersburg. A filh daughter, Nj
Beckie Sullivan of Chicago, died in Januar
A sixth child, boy. died when but five
, six years old