Robert Snead Kimbrough, often called Mesquite's "Town Father", was a robust and ambitious man who did much for the development of his community. He and his first wife, Fannie Wesson, arrived in Long Creek in 1874 where he taught school and operated a saw mill. After a time back in his home state of Tennessee and a short lived farming venture in Clay County Texas, the Kimbroughs returned to Mesquite where he devoted the rest of his life to the betterment and promotion of his new hometown.
Kimbrough and his wife, Fannie had one child, Jacob, born in 1878. Fannie died shortly there after and Kimbrough married Jennie Curtis of New Hope, the daughter of Wesley Fletcher and Elizabeth Curtis February 10, 1879.
Kimbrough had established one of the first mercantile businesses in Mesquite and upon this marriage, he, his wife and baby Jacob moved into the back of his store because of the lack of housing in the new town.
Shortly thereafter, Kimbrough founded other business enterprises including a gin and grist mill. In 1882, he started the first and oldest newspaper in Dallas County outside the city of Dallas, The Little Mesquiter. In 1900, he created the Mesquite Telephone Exchange and formed with other civic leaders the First National Bank.
In civic duty, Kimbrough served as Alderman in 1888-1889, and charter member of the first school board in 1901. He was elected to represent Dallas County in the 19th Texas Legislature, 1885-1887. From 1889-1893, he represented the counties of Dallas, Kaufman and Rockwall in the 22nd and 23rd Texas Senate.
Kimbrough's life was tragically cut short by a carriage accident in October 1905. Treating some young members of his family to a carriage outing, he lost control of a highly spirited and unfamiliar team of horses. The carriage overturned, Kimbrough was thrown from the carriage and rendered unconscious after striking a fence by the Methodist Church. He succumbed to his injuries the next day.
The funeral service held at the Baptist Church was attended by over 2,500 people. A special train from Dallas brought many of its leading businessmen to pay their respects.
Mesquite schools were dismissed in his memory.
At the close of his life, Kimbrough had led his community successfully into the Twentieth Century.
Kimbrough was the son of Jacob C. and Martha Ann Snead Kimbrough. Kimbrough and his wife, Jennie, had four children: Joseph, Robert Snead, Jr., Martha A. and John Spalding.
Biographical Sketches from Memorial and Biographical History of Dallas, Texas (1892)
Contributor: Sherry (47010546) • [email protected]
KIMBROUGH, R. S.
R. S. Kimbrough, the present State Senator from Dallas county, was born in Tennessee, the son of J. C. and Martha Ann Kimbrough, natives of Tennessee and Virginia.
Our subject received his early education in his native State, but the facilities for securing an education were not of the best, but the environments of his youth stimulated and concentrated though and action into lessons more useful than theory. With this kind of training, and with a spirit of adventure, he came to Texas and settled at Mesquite, August 26, 1874, with only a few dollars in his pocket. He first engaged in school teaching, in which he soon came to the front rank as an instructor, and his services were sought in various places. The last school was taught in Linden, where he had a large and flourishing attendance. In 1875 he returned to Tennessee, and spent some time at the old homestead, but came again to Texas in 1876, and settled in Clay county, building the first house ever erected in what is now the populous town of Post Oak. He also improved a farm in this locality, and when in proper condition sold it for sufficient capital to embark in the mercantile business at Mesquite, where he has ever since been successful.
Mr. Kimbrough's political life opened with the Nineteenth Legislature, having run ahead of his colleague, who was also elected, by 1,100 votes, demonstrating clearly his popularity. November 6, 1888, he was elected to the Senate of the twenty-first session of the Legislature of Texas, by a majority over his Union Labor competitor of 6,000 votes. He represents the Sixteenth district, composed of the counties of Dallas, Kaufman and Rockwall. He served on the Committee on Claims and Accounts, and also on other important committees.
Senator Kimbrough is a fluent speaker, an earnest and logical debater, and exhibits great tenacity and skillful conduct, through the mazes and opposition of legislators, of any measure he thinks will be a benefit to the people, not alone of his section but of the State. He at once took his natural position as one the ablest men of the Senate, and maintained it with rare skill and judgment throughout the session. Perhaps his main characteristic is straightforward earnestness of purpose and unflagging zeal of the object he has in view. He is now yet in the meridian of life, and has before his years of usefulness. He is also doing a fine business in the mercantile way, and is the owner of a good farm in the county.
Kimbrough and his wife, Fannie had one child, Jacob, born in 1878. Fannie died shortly there after and Kimbrough married Jennie Curtis of New Hope, the daughter of Wesley Fletcher and Elizabeth Curtis February 10, 1879.
Kimbrough had established one of the first mercantile businesses in Mesquite and upon this marriage, he, his wife and baby Jacob moved into the back of his store because of the lack of housing in the new town.
Shortly thereafter, Kimbrough founded other business enterprises including a gin and grist mill. In 1882, he started the first and oldest newspaper in Dallas County outside the city of Dallas, The Little Mesquiter. In 1900, he created the Mesquite Telephone Exchange and formed with other civic leaders the First National Bank.
In civic duty, Kimbrough served as Alderman in 1888-1889, and charter member of the first school board in 1901. He was elected to represent Dallas County in the 19th Texas Legislature, 1885-1887. From 1889-1893, he represented the counties of Dallas, Kaufman and Rockwall in the 22nd and 23rd Texas Senate.
Kimbrough's life was tragically cut short by a carriage accident in October 1905. Treating some young members of his family to a carriage outing, he lost control of a highly spirited and unfamiliar team of horses. The carriage overturned, Kimbrough was thrown from the carriage and rendered unconscious after striking a fence by the Methodist Church. He succumbed to his injuries the next day.
The funeral service held at the Baptist Church was attended by over 2,500 people. A special train from Dallas brought many of its leading businessmen to pay their respects.
Mesquite schools were dismissed in his memory.
At the close of his life, Kimbrough had led his community successfully into the Twentieth Century.
Kimbrough was the son of Jacob C. and Martha Ann Snead Kimbrough. Kimbrough and his wife, Jennie, had four children: Joseph, Robert Snead, Jr., Martha A. and John Spalding.
Biographical Sketches from Memorial and Biographical History of Dallas, Texas (1892)
Contributor: Sherry (47010546) • [email protected]
KIMBROUGH, R. S.
R. S. Kimbrough, the present State Senator from Dallas county, was born in Tennessee, the son of J. C. and Martha Ann Kimbrough, natives of Tennessee and Virginia.
Our subject received his early education in his native State, but the facilities for securing an education were not of the best, but the environments of his youth stimulated and concentrated though and action into lessons more useful than theory. With this kind of training, and with a spirit of adventure, he came to Texas and settled at Mesquite, August 26, 1874, with only a few dollars in his pocket. He first engaged in school teaching, in which he soon came to the front rank as an instructor, and his services were sought in various places. The last school was taught in Linden, where he had a large and flourishing attendance. In 1875 he returned to Tennessee, and spent some time at the old homestead, but came again to Texas in 1876, and settled in Clay county, building the first house ever erected in what is now the populous town of Post Oak. He also improved a farm in this locality, and when in proper condition sold it for sufficient capital to embark in the mercantile business at Mesquite, where he has ever since been successful.
Mr. Kimbrough's political life opened with the Nineteenth Legislature, having run ahead of his colleague, who was also elected, by 1,100 votes, demonstrating clearly his popularity. November 6, 1888, he was elected to the Senate of the twenty-first session of the Legislature of Texas, by a majority over his Union Labor competitor of 6,000 votes. He represents the Sixteenth district, composed of the counties of Dallas, Kaufman and Rockwall. He served on the Committee on Claims and Accounts, and also on other important committees.
Senator Kimbrough is a fluent speaker, an earnest and logical debater, and exhibits great tenacity and skillful conduct, through the mazes and opposition of legislators, of any measure he thinks will be a benefit to the people, not alone of his section but of the State. He at once took his natural position as one the ablest men of the Senate, and maintained it with rare skill and judgment throughout the session. Perhaps his main characteristic is straightforward earnestness of purpose and unflagging zeal of the object he has in view. He is now yet in the meridian of life, and has before his years of usefulness. He is also doing a fine business in the mercantile way, and is the owner of a good farm in the county.
Robert Snead Kimbrough, often called Mesquite's "Town Father", was a robust and ambitious man who did much for the development of his community. He and his first wife, Fannie Wesson, arrived in Long Creek in 1874 where he taught school and operated a saw mill. After a time back in his home state of Tennessee and a short lived farming venture in Clay County Texas, the Kimbroughs returned to Mesquite where he devoted the rest of his life to the betterment and promotion of his new hometown.
Kimbrough and his wife, Fannie had one child, Jacob, born in 1878. Fannie died shortly there after and Kimbrough married Jennie Curtis of New Hope, the daughter of Wesley Fletcher and Elizabeth Curtis February 10, 1879.
Kimbrough had established one of the first mercantile businesses in Mesquite and upon this marriage, he, his wife and baby Jacob moved into the back of his store because of the lack of housing in the new town.
Shortly thereafter, Kimbrough founded other business enterprises including a gin and grist mill. In 1882, he started the first and oldest newspaper in Dallas County outside the city of Dallas, The Little Mesquiter. In 1900, he created the Mesquite Telephone Exchange and formed with other civic leaders the First National Bank.
In civic duty, Kimbrough served as Alderman in 1888-1889, and charter member of the first school board in 1901. He was elected to represent Dallas County in the 19th Texas Legislature, 1885-1887. From 1889-1893, he represented the counties of Dallas, Kaufman and Rockwall in the 22nd and 23rd Texas Senate.
Kimbrough's life was tragically cut short by a carriage accident in October 1905. Treating some young members of his family to a carriage outing, he lost control of a highly spirited and unfamiliar team of horses. The carriage overturned, Kimbrough was thrown from the carriage and rendered unconscious after striking a fence by the Methodist Church. He succumbed to his injuries the next day.
The funeral service held at the Baptist Church was attended by over 2,500 people. A special train from Dallas brought many of its leading businessmen to pay their respects.
Mesquite schools were dismissed in his memory.
At the close of his life, Kimbrough had led his community successfully into the Twentieth Century.
Kimbrough was the son of Jacob C. and Martha Ann Snead Kimbrough. Kimbrough and his wife, Jennie, had four children: Joseph, Robert Snead, Jr., Martha A. and John Spalding.
Biographical Sketches from Memorial and Biographical History of Dallas, Texas (1892)
Contributor: Sherry (47010546) • [email protected]
KIMBROUGH, R. S.
R. S. Kimbrough, the present State Senator from Dallas county, was born in Tennessee, the son of J. C. and Martha Ann Kimbrough, natives of Tennessee and Virginia.
Our subject received his early education in his native State, but the facilities for securing an education were not of the best, but the environments of his youth stimulated and concentrated though and action into lessons more useful than theory. With this kind of training, and with a spirit of adventure, he came to Texas and settled at Mesquite, August 26, 1874, with only a few dollars in his pocket. He first engaged in school teaching, in which he soon came to the front rank as an instructor, and his services were sought in various places. The last school was taught in Linden, where he had a large and flourishing attendance. In 1875 he returned to Tennessee, and spent some time at the old homestead, but came again to Texas in 1876, and settled in Clay county, building the first house ever erected in what is now the populous town of Post Oak. He also improved a farm in this locality, and when in proper condition sold it for sufficient capital to embark in the mercantile business at Mesquite, where he has ever since been successful.
Mr. Kimbrough's political life opened with the Nineteenth Legislature, having run ahead of his colleague, who was also elected, by 1,100 votes, demonstrating clearly his popularity. November 6, 1888, he was elected to the Senate of the twenty-first session of the Legislature of Texas, by a majority over his Union Labor competitor of 6,000 votes. He represents the Sixteenth district, composed of the counties of Dallas, Kaufman and Rockwall. He served on the Committee on Claims and Accounts, and also on other important committees.
Senator Kimbrough is a fluent speaker, an earnest and logical debater, and exhibits great tenacity and skillful conduct, through the mazes and opposition of legislators, of any measure he thinks will be a benefit to the people, not alone of his section but of the State. He at once took his natural position as one the ablest men of the Senate, and maintained it with rare skill and judgment throughout the session. Perhaps his main characteristic is straightforward earnestness of purpose and unflagging zeal of the object he has in view. He is now yet in the meridian of life, and has before his years of usefulness. He is also doing a fine business in the mercantile way, and is the owner of a good farm in the county.
Kimbrough and his wife, Fannie had one child, Jacob, born in 1878. Fannie died shortly there after and Kimbrough married Jennie Curtis of New Hope, the daughter of Wesley Fletcher and Elizabeth Curtis February 10, 1879.
Kimbrough had established one of the first mercantile businesses in Mesquite and upon this marriage, he, his wife and baby Jacob moved into the back of his store because of the lack of housing in the new town.
Shortly thereafter, Kimbrough founded other business enterprises including a gin and grist mill. In 1882, he started the first and oldest newspaper in Dallas County outside the city of Dallas, The Little Mesquiter. In 1900, he created the Mesquite Telephone Exchange and formed with other civic leaders the First National Bank.
In civic duty, Kimbrough served as Alderman in 1888-1889, and charter member of the first school board in 1901. He was elected to represent Dallas County in the 19th Texas Legislature, 1885-1887. From 1889-1893, he represented the counties of Dallas, Kaufman and Rockwall in the 22nd and 23rd Texas Senate.
Kimbrough's life was tragically cut short by a carriage accident in October 1905. Treating some young members of his family to a carriage outing, he lost control of a highly spirited and unfamiliar team of horses. The carriage overturned, Kimbrough was thrown from the carriage and rendered unconscious after striking a fence by the Methodist Church. He succumbed to his injuries the next day.
The funeral service held at the Baptist Church was attended by over 2,500 people. A special train from Dallas brought many of its leading businessmen to pay their respects.
Mesquite schools were dismissed in his memory.
At the close of his life, Kimbrough had led his community successfully into the Twentieth Century.
Kimbrough was the son of Jacob C. and Martha Ann Snead Kimbrough. Kimbrough and his wife, Jennie, had four children: Joseph, Robert Snead, Jr., Martha A. and John Spalding.
Biographical Sketches from Memorial and Biographical History of Dallas, Texas (1892)
Contributor: Sherry (47010546) • [email protected]
KIMBROUGH, R. S.
R. S. Kimbrough, the present State Senator from Dallas county, was born in Tennessee, the son of J. C. and Martha Ann Kimbrough, natives of Tennessee and Virginia.
Our subject received his early education in his native State, but the facilities for securing an education were not of the best, but the environments of his youth stimulated and concentrated though and action into lessons more useful than theory. With this kind of training, and with a spirit of adventure, he came to Texas and settled at Mesquite, August 26, 1874, with only a few dollars in his pocket. He first engaged in school teaching, in which he soon came to the front rank as an instructor, and his services were sought in various places. The last school was taught in Linden, where he had a large and flourishing attendance. In 1875 he returned to Tennessee, and spent some time at the old homestead, but came again to Texas in 1876, and settled in Clay county, building the first house ever erected in what is now the populous town of Post Oak. He also improved a farm in this locality, and when in proper condition sold it for sufficient capital to embark in the mercantile business at Mesquite, where he has ever since been successful.
Mr. Kimbrough's political life opened with the Nineteenth Legislature, having run ahead of his colleague, who was also elected, by 1,100 votes, demonstrating clearly his popularity. November 6, 1888, he was elected to the Senate of the twenty-first session of the Legislature of Texas, by a majority over his Union Labor competitor of 6,000 votes. He represents the Sixteenth district, composed of the counties of Dallas, Kaufman and Rockwall. He served on the Committee on Claims and Accounts, and also on other important committees.
Senator Kimbrough is a fluent speaker, an earnest and logical debater, and exhibits great tenacity and skillful conduct, through the mazes and opposition of legislators, of any measure he thinks will be a benefit to the people, not alone of his section but of the State. He at once took his natural position as one the ablest men of the Senate, and maintained it with rare skill and judgment throughout the session. Perhaps his main characteristic is straightforward earnestness of purpose and unflagging zeal of the object he has in view. He is now yet in the meridian of life, and has before his years of usefulness. He is also doing a fine business in the mercantile way, and is the owner of a good farm in the county.
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