Clement F. KimballView All Years

CLEM. F. KIMBALL

MR. PRESIDENT: Your committee which was appointed to report resolutions commemorating the life, character and service of the late Clem F. Kimball, beg leave to submit the following report, and move its adoption:

Clem F. Kimball was born August 11, 1868, at Anamosa, Iowa. He attended the public schools of Anamosa until the spring of 1886, not quite finishing his high school course. He then entered the State College at Ames and took a mechanical engineering course, graduating in 1889. He engaged in engineering work and teaching until 1893, when he entered the University of Michigan, taking law and specializing in the literary department. He graduated from the University of Michigan in 1895 and began the practice of law in October, 1895, at Council Bluffs, Iowa. He was married to Carroll Williams of Wyoming, Iowa, in 1892. He was a member of the Congregational church, Masonic Lodge, Knights of Pythias, Elks, and several other organizations. He was also a member of the Country Club of Council Bluffs, and of the Lions’ Service Club. In 1899 he was appointed assistant county attorney of Pottawattamie county and held the office for two terms. In 1906 he was elected city solicitor of the city of Council Bluffs and served three consecutive terms. In 1912 he was elected to the state senate and served in the 35th, 36th, 37th and 38th general assemblies.

In 1924 he was elected Lieutenant Governor and was reelected in 1926. He died at his home in Council Bluffs, Iowa, on the 10th day of September, 1928.

His was a valiant soul. He met life courageously. He lived life courageously and he left it courageously. But this was not all. When he passed from this world he left it the better for his having lived in it.

One of the prophets of the ancient days said this: “Behold thou hast instructed many, Thou hast strengthened weak hands, Thy words have upholden him that was fallen and Thou hast made firm the feeble knees.” These words typify the life of Clem Kimball for it was a life of service and usefulness and gentle loving kindness to all who knew him, little children, men and women and his fellow citizens of the commonwealth of Iowa.

We read in the pages of the ages that have passed the romance of the knights of brave hearts and chivalrous souls. And yet in our own day, knighthood has not passed away for there are still knights of the soul and the spirit. He was one of them. We who knew him as we sit here today look back in fondest recollection to his presence here in this chamber as a Senator and as presiding officer of this Body. We remember his potent force and influence upon this floor; we remember his fairness and justness as president of this Senate, and above all we remember the sweetness and geniality of his exceptional personality. Few men in the public life of Iowa have left their mark more indelibly upon the history of the state than has Clem Kimball. That mark is his epitaph and it is the cherished remembrance of those who knew and loved him.

Therefore, Be It Resolved, That a copy of these resolutions be printed in the records of this body and a copy of the same be forwarded to his family.

J. R. FRAILEY,

B. M. STODDARD,

W. S. BAIRD,

Committee.