COL. A. J. NIMMO, Jonesboro, was born September 30, 1822, in this county, where the town of Anna now stands. His father, Wesley G. Nimmo, was of Scotch descent, and was born in Albemarle County, Va., and died in this county October 17, 1856. He was a saddler by trade, and under the old military law of the State was Colonel of the militia. He married Priscilla Barker, who was born near Hopkinsville, Ky., and died in this county September 13, 1864. She was the mother of twelve children, of whom our subject was the oldest but one. His educational facilities were rather limited, and confined to the subscription schools of the county, and early in life he learned the saddler's trade with his father. In 1846, when the war broke out with Mexico, he enlisted in Company F, Second Illinois Volunteers, Col. William H. Bissell commanding. He served one year, and then returned home, and was Constable for one term. In 1850, he was elected Sheriff of Union County; was again elected in 1854, and a third time elected in 1858. In the fall of 1861, he was elected County Clerk, and while occupying that position he recruited a regiment for the late war, which became the One Hundred and Ninth Illinois Volunteer Infantry, and of which he was commissioned Colonel by the Governor. In November, 1869, Col. Nimmo was again elected County Clerk; in November, 1874, he was again elected Sheriff, and re-elected for the fifth time in 1876; he served as Deputy County Clerk from 1879 until December, 1882; since then the old veteran has been out of the harness, and is now enjoying a needed repose after his long and faithful public service. He was married, March 9, 1848, to Miss Eliza J. Tripp, who was born January 3, 1828, in this county. She is a daughter of William and Frances (Grammer) Tripp. She is the mother of seven children, viz.: Leander W., William H. (deceased), Emily F. (wife of John S. Alexander), Mary A. (deceased), Charles F., Alexander J. and Sarah J. (deceased). Col. Nimmo is a member of Jonesboro Lodge, No. 111, A., F. & A. M.; Egyptian Chapter, No.45, R. A. M. of which body he is High Priest; Southern Lodge, No. 241, of I. O. O. F., of which he is Noble Grand. He has always been identified with the Democratic party. The past life of Col. Nimmo needs no comment; the number of offices be has held in the county speaks more eloquently in his honor and of his integrity than volumes written in his praise.
Extracted 02 Apr 2017 by Norma Hass from 1883 History of Alexander, Union, and Pulaski Counties, Illinois, Part V, pages 107-108.
Jackson | Williamson | |
MO | Johnson | |
Alexander | Pulaski |