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James P. Kimball | |
|---|---|
| 16thDirector of the United States Mint | |
| In office July 1885 – October 1889 | |
| President | Grover Cleveland Benjamin Harrison |
| Preceded by | Horatio C. Burchard |
| Succeeded by | Edward O. Leech |
| Personal details | |
| Born | James Putnam Kimball (1836-04-26)April 26, 1836 Salem, Massachusetts, U.S. |
| Died | October 23, 1913(1913-10-23) (aged 77) Cody, Wyoming, U.S. |
| Spouse | |
| Children | 3 |
| Education | Lawrence Scientific School Humboldt University of Berlin University of Göttingen (PhD) Freiberg University of Mining and Technology |
| Profession | Metallurgist, geologist |
| Military service | |
| Allegiance | United States |
| Branch/service | Union Army |
| Rank | Captain |
| Battles/wars | |
James Putnam Kimball (April 26, 1836 – October 23, 1913) was an Americanmetallurgist andgeologist who wasDirector of the United States Mint from 1885 to 1889.
James P. Kimball was born inSalem, Massachusetts on April 26, 1836.[1] In 1854, he entered theLawrence Scientific School ofHarvard University; after a year he traveled toBerlin to study at theFriedrich-Wilhelms-Universität; he then transferred to theGeorg-August-Universität inGöttingen, receiving aPh.D. in 1857.[1] He then enrolled inmining studies at theTechnische Universität Bergakademie Freiberg inFreiberg, Saxony.[1]
After making a tour of Europe, Kimball returned to the United States to become an assistant toHarvard Universitygeology professorJosiah Whitney.[1] As Whitney's assistant, Kimball participated in thegeological surveys of the lead mining regions ofWisconsin,Illinois, and southeasternIowa.[1]
When the New York State Agricultural College (later merged intoCornell University) was founded inOvid, New York, Kimball became Professor of Chemistry and Economic Geology.[1] With the outbreak of theAmerican Civil War in 1861, the college's president, Maj. M. R. Patrick was appointed Brigadier-General of Volunteers; Kimball became Brig. Gen. Patrick's Chief of Staff, with the rank ofCaptain.[1] He saw field service under Maj. Gen.Irvin McDowell, and was present at theSecond Battle of Bull Run (August 28–30, 1862); theBattle of Chantilly (September 1, 1862); theBattle of South Mountain (September 14, 1862); theBattle of Antietam (September 17, 1862); theBattle of Fredericksburg (December 11–15, 1862); theBattle of Chancellorsville (April 30-May 6, 1863); and theBattle of Gettysburg (July 1–3, 1863).[1] Brig. Gen. Patrick was then appointedProvost Marshal of theArmy of the Potomac, and Capt. Kimball accompanied him there, serving on theGeneral Staff under GeneralsGeorge B. McClellan,Ambrose Burnside,Joseph Hooker, andGeorge Meade successively.[1]
When the army went into winter quarters, Kimball resigned to resume his life as amining engineer based inNew York City.[1] During the 1860s and 1870s he investigated coal and iron mines in Pennsylvania, and silver mines in Chihuahua, Mexico, west Texas, and Utah. He also made recommendations on plant designs, based on European metallurgical practice. After his marriage in 1874, he became an honorary professor of Lehigh University, Bethlehem, Pa. and relocated there, while his professional office remained in New York City. He was among the first American geologists to inspect and write about the mineral resources of Cuba and South America.
He was an early member of the American Institute of Mining Engineers, contributed to its Transactions, and served as a vice-president during 1881-1882.
He became president of the Everett Iron Company, which played a major role in developing mines inBedford County, Pennsylvania in 1883-84.[1]
In 1885,President of the United StatesGrover Cleveland named KimballDirector of the United States Mint and Kimball held that office from July 1885 until October 1889. He is best known for his report criticizing the quality of the coinage, which led to improvement in mint equipment. He later served on the annual "Assay Commission" appointed by the President to ensure quality in coinage.
During the 1890s-1900s he resumed his consultant business in New York City. By 1902, he had helped develop the coal fields of Red Lodge, Montana, where he relocated late in life with his son's family. Upon his death the respectedMining & Scientific Press of San Francisco called him "one of the pioneer mining geologists of America" and one who "left a record of clean honorable work."[2]
Kimball married Mary Elizabeth Farley July 22, 1874 in Cambridge, Massachusetts. They had three children: Russell, named after a Revolutionary era ancestor, Edith, and Farley. Kimball died in Cody, Wyoming October 23, 1913.
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| Preceded by | Director of the United States Mint July 1885 – October 1889 | Succeeded by |
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