Biographical Database of NAWSA Suffragists, 1890-1920
Biography of Martha Smith Kimball, 1870-1967
By Nora Bigelow, Assistant Curator, Peabody Historical Society, Peabody, Massachusetts
Martha Smith Kimball was born on February 28, 1870 in Portsmouth, New Hampshire. Her father, Edwin Payson Kimball, was born in Canada and settled in New Hampshire. In his professional life, he acted as President of the First National Bank of Portsmouth. Martha's mother was Martha Jane Thompson Kimball. Martha had two siblings, Elizabeth E. Kimball and Edward Thompson Kimball. Elizabeth was born in 1866, and Edward in 1879.
Martha graduated Smith College in 1892 and returned to Portsmouth. She never married, but had two adopted daughters, Miss Doris Sykes and Mrs. Phyllis S. King. She lived in Portsmouth continuously from 1892 to 1940. During this time, she became active in the women's suffrage movement. She helped form the New Hampshire League of Women's Voters and the Women's City Club. She was elected the President of the New Hampshire Equal Suffrage Association from 1913 to 1918. She also acted as a Trustee for the Portsmouth Historical Society.
In 1914, she pursued a case against Ira Newick with the New Hampshire Supreme Court. Ira Newick was elected a board member for Portsmouth's Board of Instruction by the popular vote of his constituents. However, Martha Kimball was already in the position, completing the term of service for Rear Admiral Joseph Foster who had resigned. She was appointed by the School Council. She protested that she should be allowed to complete her full term of service, and that Newick's election should not have taken place until after she fulfilled her term. However, the New Hampshire courts dismissed her case.
In 1940, Martha moved to Fort Lauderdale, Florida, where she remained until her death on January 30, 1967.
Sources
"Kimball-Berry Marriage," The Portsmouth Herald (Portsmouth, New Hampshire), November 8, 1900, Page 6.
"School Meeting a Stormy One," The Portsmouth Herald (Portsmouth, New Hampshire), January 7, 1914, Page 1.
"Contest for Seat in Board of Instruction," The Portsmouth Herald (Portsmouth, New Hampshire), June 8, 1914, Page 8.
"Newick Will Hold His Place," The Portsmouth Herald (Portsmouth, New Hampshire), November 5, 1914, Page 1.
"Miss Kimball Re-Elected President," The Portsmouth Herald (Portsmouth, New Hampshire), December 4, 1915, Page 5.
"Miss Rankin's Mother Native to Newington," The Portsmouth Herald (Portsmouth, New Hampshire), November 10, 1916, Page 5.
"Portsmouth Woman Re-Elected President," The Portsmouth Herald (Portsmouth, New Hampshire), November 11, 1916, Page 1.
"A Resume by Miss Martha L. Kimball President," The Portsmouth Herald (Portsmouth, New Hampshire), February 26, 1917, Page 14.
"Advertisement: Portsmouth Historical Society," The Portsmouth Herald (Portsmouth, New Hampshire), February 11, 1920, Page 14.
"Women Voters at Concord," The Portsmouth Herald (Portsmouth, New Hampshire), May 28, 1931, Page 8.
"Attends Meeting of League of Women Voters' Directors," The Portsmouth Herald (Portsmouth, New Hampshire), August 10, 1939, Page 8.
"Obituary: Martha S. Kimball," The Portsmouth Herald (Portsmouth, New Hampshire), January 31, 1967, Page 3.
New Hampshire Records (Birth, Marriage and Death and Federal Census), Accessed via Ancestry.com