 Born in Buxton, Maine, Kimball moved to Wisconsin in 1852 and engaged in agricultural and mercantile pursuits, later serving in the Wisconsin State Senate in 1863 and 1864.He was elected as a member of the Republican Party to the United States House of Representatives in 1874 as part of the 44th Congress representing Wisconsin's 6th congressional district.Following his defeat for re-election in 1876, he became involved in the lumber business and served as a delegate to the 1884 Republican National Convention in Chicago.