Leonard S. Kimball
Leonard Saltmarsh Kimball was the son of Leonard and Caroline (Parker)
Kimball, of Goffstown, New Hampshire. He was born March 7, 1843, at Weare, New
Hampshire. His father removed to Lowell, Massachusetts, in 1845, and here Leonard's
boyhood was spent, which was unmarked by any special events of interest to those
outside the family circle.
In his studies, he was proficient; in play, was active, and in labor, resolute to
engage where his services were needed. He was especially beloved by his sister; and his
father, who was a man of unusual powers of penetration, watched with pride mingled
with fear his expanding powers, hoping for the best, yet with the feelings of anxiety that
only a parent can feel, fearing that he might be influenced by those to whom he gave
his confidence, and led into the many temptations that beset the young. He was a young
man of great talents and fine ability, and much confidence was felt that his future would
be a good and a great one. He will be remembered by us all as witty, generous and
impulsive. He had great ambitions, and had intended to become a lawyer after
completing his college course. He received the foundation of his education at the Lowell
High School, and entered Dartmouth at the beginning of the Fall term, August 24, 1860.
During the Winter vacation of 1860-1, he taught a school at West Boxford,
Massachusetts.
In the month of October, 1861, he was taken with typhoid fever in a very severe
form, and, though receiving the best care and medical skill, after a short sickness
breathed his last on November 1, 1861. It was the first death which had occurred in our
class. All recitations and games were suspended until after the funeral services. A
delegation from the class accompanied the body to Lowell, Massachusetts, where it was
interred. He had, for one so young, a just and discriminating taste in literature. There
are few who pass from earth in early youth who give up more of joyousness in the very
consciousness of living, or more of ardent hopes for a brilliant future. He had all of the
collegian's warm and natural interest in his class, and, had he lived, would have rejoiced
in the successes and honors of his classmates.
Source: "Memorialia
of the Class of '64 in Dartmouth College" compiled by
John C. Webster, Shepard & Johnston, Printers, 1884,
Chicago
