28 January 2001 – Newspaperman Served His Trade and Community

Since the late 1960s, the Historical Society has had its offices in the Kimmey House at 210 E. Main St. in Westminster. The property is named for the Harry and Test Kimmey Family, the last residents of the home.   Harry’s brother, Claude, died suddenly in 1947 and this newspaper ran a front-page story about his death in the February 14^th issue:

Although not in the best of health lately, the sudden attack of paralysis at 6 o’clock was quite unexpected.  Death came five hours later.

Mr. Kimmey had devoted most of his life to the printing trade and was widely known in the industry.  His first employment was with the American Sentinel office here, later with the Mather Printing Company and with The Times Printing Company since its organization in 1914.  He has held the place of Manager with the latter company from the beginning, and at a recent reorganization meeting of the Board of Directors was named Secretary-Treasurer, succeeding the late Frank W. Mather.  He had long been associated with the Baltimore Typothetae and later with the Graphic Arts Association.

He had many local interests, civic and fraternal—having headed the Carroll County War Memorial Committee as general chairman from its organization; a charter member and past president of the Westminster Rotary Club; a member of Charity Lodge No. 58, Knights of Pythias; a member and past president of the Westminster Forest and Stream Club; of Western Maryland Council No. 79, Jr. O.U.A.M; a life long member of the Westminster Methodist Church, and for a number of years secretary of the Official Board.  He had affiliations with Door of Virtue Lodge No. 46, A. F. & A. M.; Carroll Council No. 7 R. & S. M., and Crusade Commandery No. 5, Knights Templar of Baltimore.  For several years he had been chairman of Carroll County Draft Board No. 1.

He was born February 17, 1889, the son of the late William T. and Rachel L. Kimmey, and was aged 58 years.  Surviving are his wife, Mrs. Anna Yingling Kimmey, and three daughters, Mrs. Charles F. Rader, Jr., Pikesville, and the Misses Ruth Anna and Mary Jane Kimmey, at home; a grand daughter, Charlotte Eleanor Rader, and a grand son, Charles F. Rader, III; a sister Miss L. Marie Kimmey, Westminster, and a nephew, Henry B. Kimmey, Towson.

The body rests at the late home where funeral services will be held Sunday afternoon at 3 o’clock, in charge of his pastor, the Rev. Dr. Lowell S. Ensor, of the Westminster Methodist Church.  Interment will be made in the Westminster Cemetery.

The pallbearers will be:  Dr. C. Levine Billingslea, Walter H. Davis, J. Ralph Bonsack, Dr. Lewis K. Woodward, H. Edgar Royer, and Carroll L. Crawford.  J. E. Myers, Jr., funeral director.”