Although the subject of this sketch was located in a state where much of the sentiment was strongly in favor of the Rebellion, still when the critical time came for action he boldly and with a courage born of real conviction enlisted in Company F, Second Arkansas Cavalry, on the Union side, the date being 1863. and under General Sanborn fought the battles of right. He was in the conflicts of Booneville, Big Blue, Independence and many skirmishes, and assisted to run Price out of Missouri. He served in that state and in Arkansas mostly. He was honorably discharged in July, 1865, and is a member of the G. A. R. in Latah. Washington.
Thomas J. Wimpy was born in Union County, Georgia, on September 20, 1846, being the son of Aaron and Hannah Wimpy, natives of North Carolina. When our subject was six the family removed to Benton County, Arkansas, and there received a good common schooling. Then came the enlistment noted above, which speaks volumes for his loyalty, as he was but a lad of seventeen. After the war he resided a time in Missouri and then returned to Arkansas, where he was married, on June 27, 1866, to Mary A. Anderson. Her parents, Andrew B. and Adelia (Dickens) Anderson, were natives of Tennessee and Georgia, respectively, and were married in the former state. Then they removed to Lumpkin County, Georgia, where Mrs. Wimpy was born, on June 17, 1844. Her parents crossed the plains in 1877 to Latah, Washington, and there her father died in August, 1899, in his seventy-seventh year.
Mr. Wimpy and his wife started across the plains in 1876 with teams, but at Cheyenne, as the Indians were hostile, they took train to Kelton, and then came to the vicinity of Latah. No settlers were there, except his brother, Major Wimpy, and one or two scattering ones. Our subject engaged in farming and did well until the panic, when he suffered financial loss, as did all others. In the fall of 1897 he came to his present location, about five miles northeast from Nez Perce, and here his labor and wisdom have given him a goodly competence. He has comfortable and tasty improvements and has been one of the progressive and substantial citizens. Mr. Wimpy and his wife are devout members of the Christian Church and their lives are exemplary and upright. Six children have been born to this household, Amanda J., wife of E. M. Nelson, of Nez Perce; Sarah B., wife of W. M. Poteet, of Nez Perce; Eva M., wife of Arthur Boswell, near Nez Perce; Minnie E.. Aaron A., James W. Mrs. Wimpy’s mother is living with her, aged seventy-eight.
Back to: Nez Perce Biographies
Source: An Illustrated History of Northern Idaho, Embracing Nez Perce, Idaho, Latah, Kootenai and Shoshone Counties, Western Historical Publishing Company, 1903