Medal of Honor recipient, Clp. Joseph Kimball.

(Editor’s note: This is the latest installment from the Tyler County Planning Commission in conjunction with the Tyler County Bicentennial.)

In the peaceful pasture of graves that is Beechwood Cemetery, near Alma, rests a Civil War veteran, marked by a very special tombstone. It bears the inscription “Medal of Honor,” our nation’s highest military recognition and commonly, and incorrectly, referred to as the “Congressional” Medal of Honor.

Joseph Kimball, born in Monroe County, Ohio, on February 2, 1836, received the Medal of Honor, for his heroism as a member of Company B, 2nd West Virginia Cavalry. On April 6, 1865, near Deatonville, Va., Corporal Kimball captured the battle flag of the 6th North Carolina Infantry, considered a very important and significant accomplishment during the Civil War.

Following the war, Corporal Kimball settled in Tyler County to farm and raise his family. He passed away on July 20, 1909, at the age of 73, and was buried at Beechwood.

Another soldier who served with great distinction during our country’s bloodiest conflict was Tyler County native George G. Moore. Private Moore received the Medal of Honor for his actions during the Battle of Fisher’s Hill, near Strasburg, Va., on Sept. 22, 1864. As the member of Company D, 11th West Virginia Infantry, he showed extraordinary heroism under fire by capturing an enemy battle flag.

Clp. Joseph Kimball’s marker in Beechwood Cemetery, near Alma.

After the war, Private Moore settled in Richie County, West Virginia, and lived there for several years. The 1910 census showed him living in Weld, Colo. On Nov. 25, 1925, George Moore passed away at the age of 81. He was laid to rest in Eaton, Colo.

An interesting contrast in these two heroic soldiers: Joseph Kimball moved to Tyler County and rests here; George Moore, a native son, left Tyler County, to spend his final 15 years of life in Colorado. But, a common bond these men shared is, of course, the Medal of Honor, and they both called Tyler County home.

See coming editions of The Tyler Star News for more installments of “Celebrating the Tyler County Bicentennial” throughout 2014.

Acknowledgments: Wikipedia; ancestry.com; homeofheros.com.; Military Times Hall of Valor.

Tyler County native, Pvt. George Moore’s marker in Eaton, Colo.