STANDARD ATLAS
OF
SCOTT COUNTY, ILLINOIS
1903
Geo. A. Ogle & Co.Publishers & Engravers
134 Van Buren St.
Chicago
Transcribed by Larry Fearneyhough
Page 118
This gentleman was born in Winchester, Illinois, February 8, 1855. He attended the Winchester schools and during vacation worked with his father at the carpenter's trade. When he was fifteen years old he commenced "deviling" for T. H. Flynn in the office of the Winchester Independent. He followed this for two years and then gave it up, because he thought it was injuring his health. In 1871, December 5, he accepted a position as clerk in the grocery and hardware store of Rankin, Cass & Co., and was with them for two years. March 3, 1873, he went with Millhous & Bro., general merchants, and remained with them until March 3, 1874, when he resigned to accept a better salary, and went to work for M. Owings, then in the grocery business, and remained with him until he sold out. He was then employed by the Chicago Clothing Co., and remained with them until December, 1875, when he quit clerking and went to work in the brick and tile business for Coons & Co., and was with them until the spring of 1876, when he returned to clerking, accepting a position with Robert Maxwell in the shoe business. He held this position until the spring of 1877 and then, during the summer, worked with his father at the carpenter's trade. In the fall, however, he again entered the employ of Milhous & Bro., worked there during the fall rush and then went back to work for Coons & Bro.
October 3, 1887, Mr. Rimbey was married to Miss Emma E. Edmonson, daughter of T. A. Edmonson, living west of Winchester. To them six children were born, two boys and one girl now living. Mr. Rimbey had an idea that he would take kindly to farming and in the spring of 1878 went to work on the farm for his father-in-law and was one of the "horny-handed" until October of that year, when he accepted a situation in the dry goods, clothing and shoe store of Lang & Stern, where he remained until March, 1879, when he went with M. & S. Hainsfurther and remained with them until May, 1891. He then embarked in the general merchandise business with Geo. W. Owings, under the firm name of Owings & Rimbey, and they were together until May 15, 1896, when the partnership was dissolved by mutual consent, Mr. Rimbey retiring. After a couple of months' rest he bought an entire new stock of goods and opened a general store on the south side of the square. Here he remained for two years, and then moved his stock into the new Frost & Hubbard building, on the north side of the square, where he is at present located. He has increased his stock and now has one of the most complete lines of general merchandise in Scott county.
He has been active in public affairs and in the years of 1887-88 was alderman from the third ward. He has taken a deep interest in school matters and is now serving his second term as a member of the board of education. He is a member of the First Baptist church of Winchester and has sang in its choir for thirty-two years.
May 29, 1887, his home was broken, his companion being taken in death, leaving him with three small children. He made his home with his father until September 26, 1889, when he was married to Miss Mary L. Peak, daughter of Jacob H. Peak of near Franklin, Morgan county, and to this union there has been born two daughters and one son, leaving him now with an interesting family of six children. Mr. Rimbey is one of the leading citizens of Winchester, honored and respected alike for his manly virtues, his christian character and his generous heart.