The town of Imboden in Lawrence County, Arkansas was
named for Benjamin Imboden who came from Virginia. (Special
thanks to Helen
Griffith for sharing her information on the
Imboden family that emigrated to American)
In the 1700's, the Diel IMBODEN family
emigrated to America from Germany or Switzerland and settled in
Bucks County, Pennsylvania. They were in every sense of the word,
true pioneers, adventurous, brave and stately. They spoke four
languages fluently: English, French, German and Italian. They
were known to be a family of close personal ties, strong
characteristics, integrity and extreme loyalty.
The Imboden family possessed a wonderlust that propelled them
ever onward to seek new horizons, new territory and a stubborn
will to develop the new territory to which they moved. For half a
century the family was content with settlement in the valleys of
Virginia.
After some time in Virginia, the Imbodens seemed to branch out.
Some settled in Illinois, some in Louisiana. Benjamin (pictured
left is his son John H.) migrated to Caledonia, Missouri and
settled on Cedar Creek in the mid-1820's. In 1828 he moved with
his family to the present site of the town of Imboden when
the land was a mere canebrake.
The abstract to the farm that Benjamin Imboden settled
shows that a Frances S. Pearce had the right to the first title.
In 1830 Pearce transferred that right to John Hynds and the title
was issued in Hynds' name. In 1832 Hynds sold the land containing
about 320 acres to Benjamin Imboden for $1600.00.
Benjamin Imboden had seven children: John, Andrew, Margaret,
Benjamin, Jane, George, and Catherine. At his father's death,
Andrew became the administrator of the estate. After Andrew died
in 1855, the Commissioner sold the said land to Benjamin and John
H. for $4000.00 in 1859. Their six heirs deeded the land to W. C.
Sloan of Smithville in 1882 just prior to the railroad survey.
In 1883 the railroad track was laid off and the
engineers of the Kansas City, Fort Scott and Memphis Railroad
plotted the town. In 1884 a building was erected and the first
place of business in the town was opened. In just five years the
town was a thriving and prosperous place.
Because of the outstanding services which the Benjamin Imboden
family had rendered to the area in the long period of their
tenure (1828-1882), transforming it from a dense canebrake and
bramble bushes to an deal setting for luxurious living, and
because of their sterling character and forthright stand for all
that was right and good, and since it had been known as the
Imboden place, W.C. Sloan said that the town should be named
Imboden because no other name would be fitting or proper.
The family history revealed that all the Imboden boys attended
the Virginia Military Institute of the University of Virginia and
became business and professional men of considerable merit and
fame. The men served with distinction in the Revolutionary,
Mexican and Civil Wars as officers from brigadier general to the
lesser rank of captain.
The ladies of the Imboden family were in their own right, equal
in every way to their noble brothers and sires. It is said that
their intellect, business ability, generosity and grace of
character is a proud
chapter written not in words but in lives of gracious living,
noble deeds and kindly acts. Jane Imboden was a woman possessed
of strong points of character and her lofty bearing always
inspired love and admiration. She was gentle and generous -
hearty in her approval of good, yet firm in condemnation of
wrong. Keen in intellect, wise in discernment, her acts were all
in keeping with good judgment. Two surviving descendants of this
strong woman reside in Lawrence County
today: Irene Hatcher Miller and Virginia Hatcher Rainwater.
Descendants of Diel IMBODEN
First Generation
1. Diel IMBODEN. Diel married ELIZABETH (UNKNOWN).
They had the following children:
+2 M i. John Sweigert IMBODEN was born on 23 Oct 1733 in Hanau,
German/, Bern Switzerland. He died on 20 Jul 1819 in Annville
Twp, Lebonon Co., PA.
Second Generation (Children)
2. John Sweigert IMBODEN was born on 23 Oct 1733 in Hanau, German/, Bern
Switzerland. He died on 20 Jul 1819 in Annville Twp, Lebonon Co., PA.
John married Eleanor Margretha DILLER on 14 Nov 1758 in Hill Luth.
Church, Annville Twsp, Lc, PA. Eleanor Margretha DILLER was born on
29 Jun 1741 in Lancaster Co., PA. , died in Jul 1813 in Annville Twp,
Lancaster Co., PA - Hill Lutheran Ch, Cleona, PA.
They had the following children:
+ 3 M i. John IMBODEN was born on 20 Sep 1761 in N. Annville, PA.
John died on 6 Apr 1801 in Augusta Co., VA - Stayles
Church, Augusta Co., VA.
4 F ii. Anna Christina IMBODEN was born on 22 Aug 1759. She died
on 10 Feb 1810 in N. Annville Twp, Lebanon Co., PA - Hill
Lutheran Ch, N. Annville, PA. Anna married Heinrich
PETER on 26 May 1776.
5 F iii. Juliana IMBODEN was born on 2 Oct 1763 in Annville Twp,
Lancaster Co., PA. Juliana died on 13 Apr 1846 in Hill
Luth. Church, Annville Twsp, Lc, PA. Juliana married
Valentine BOGER on 25 May 1784.
6 F iv. Mary IMBODEN Mary married John WOLFENSBERGER 23 Dec 1788.
7 M v. John Adam IMBODEN was born on 12 Oct 1765 in Annville Twp,
Lancaster Co., PA. He died on 25 Feb 1825 in Jerusalem,
Cemetery, Lebanon Co., PA. John married Maria SIEGCHRIST.
8 M vi. John Henry IMBODEN was born about 1770 in Annville Twp,
Lancaster Co., PA. John died about 1801 in Augusta Co.,
VA. John married Jane COINER on 14 Apr 1800 in Augusta
Co., VA.
9 M vii. John George IMBODEN was born on 26 Jun 1772 in Annville
Twp, Lancaster Co., PA. He died on 28 Jul 1851 in Augusta
Co., VA. John married Ellizabeth FOLTZ on 23 Aug 1795 in
N. Annville Twp, Dauphin Co., PA.
10 M viii. John Phillip IMBODEN was born on 26 Mar 1774 in Annville
Twp, Lancaster Co., PA. John died on 25 May 1849 in
Annville Twp, Lancaster Co., PA. John married Elizabeth
MUELLER about 1796.
11 M ix. Frederick IMBODEN was born in 1777 in Annville Twp,
Lancaster Co., PA. He died on 24 May 1835 in Union Co.,
KY -Montezuma, Off Hwy 120, Webster Co., KY.
Frederick married Katherine ?.
12 F x. Eleanor IMBODEN was born on 29 Jun 1781 in Annville Twp,
Lancaster Co., PA. Eleanor died in 1799 in Annville Twp,
Lancaster Co., PA.
13 M xi. Solomon IMBODEN was born on 29 Jun 1781 in Annville Twp,
Lancaster Co., PA. He died in 1799 in Annville Twp,
Lancaster Co., PA.
14 M xii. Jacob IMBODEN
Third Generation (Grandchildren)
3. John IMBODEN was born on 20 Sep 1761 in N. Annville, PA. He died on 6
Apr 1801 in Augusta Co., VA - Stayles Church, Augusta Co., VA. John
married Catherine FERNSLER on 3 Jun 1783 in Annville Twp, Lancaster
Co., PA.
They had the following children:
15 M i. John IMBODEN was born on 10 Apr 1785 in PA. John died on
13 Jun 1862 in Washington, Co. MO - Belelview Cem. John
married Sarah GOLLADAY on 15 Jun 1819 in Augusta Co., VA.
16 F ii. Catherine IMBODEN was born in 1786. Catherine married
John SPOTTS on 28 Jan 1809.
17 M iii. Jacob IMBODEN was born on 3 Apr 1787 in Augusta Co., VA.
He died on 10 Nov 1818 in Augusta Co., VA. Jacob married
Elizabeth ENGLEMAN in 1811 in Augusta Co., VA.
18 F iv. Mary (Polly) IMBODEN was born on 3 Oct 1788 in Augusta
Co., VA. Mary married David FOUTZ on 6 Dec 1813 in
Augusta Co., VA.
19 F v. Eleanor IMBODEN was born on 18 Nov 1789. Eleanor married
John DIAL on 13 Sep 1810 in Augusta Co., VA.
20 M vi. Samuel IMBODEN was born on 18 Nov 1789. Samuel died on 16
Oct 1874 in Belleview Cem, Caledonia, MO. Samuel married
Jane SLUMP.
+21 M vii. Benjamin IMBODEN was born on 26 Apr 1792 in PA. He died
on 23 Feb 1852 in Lawrence Co., AR.
22 M viii. George IMBODEN was born on 25 Dec 1793. George died on 9
Feb 1875 in Buried On Their Farm, Nelson Co., W. VA.
George married Isabella WUNDERLICH on 16 May 1822 in VA.
23 M ix. Henry IMBODEN was born on 6 Jan 1796. Henry married
Rebecca on 26 Aug 1830 in Rockbridge Co.., VA.
24 M x. David IMBODEN was born on 27 Aug 1798 in VA. He died
after 1850. David married Nancy DUNKLIN.
25 F xi. Sarah IMBODEN was born on 25 Feb 1800 in Augusta Co., VA.
Sarah married David RUTH on 22 May 1820 in Augusta Co.,
VA.
Fourth Generation (Great Grandchildren)
21. Benjamin IMBODEN was born on 26 Apr 1792 in PA. He died on 23 Feb
1852 in Lawrence Co., AR. Benjamin married Mary T. HUNTER on 30 Jun
1817 in Augusta Co., VA. Mary T. HUNTER was born in 1792 in VA. ,
died after 1850 in Imboden, Lawrence Co., AR.
They had the following children:
+26 M i. John H. IMBODEN was born on 17 May 1818 in VA. John died
on 1 Oct 1861 in Imboden, Lawrence Co., AR.
+27 M ii. Andrew H. IMBODEN was born in 1820 in Caledonia, Washington
Co., MO. He died on 15 Mar 1855 in Powhatan, Lawrence Co.,
AR. His house in Powhatan stills stands today (1998).
+28 F iii. Margaret E. IMBODEN was born in 1823. Margaret died in Oct
1854 in Lawrence Co., AR.
+29 F iv. Jane T. IMBODEN was born on 8 Apr 1824 in Washington, Co.
MO. She died on 30 Dec 1896 in Lawrence Co., AR.
30 M v. George Washington IMBODEN was born in 1834.
+31 F vi. Kate Susan IMBODEN was born in 1837 in Imboden, Lawrence
Co., AR. Kate died in 1865 in Imboden, Lawrence Co., AR.
+32 M vii. Benjamin Franklin IMBODEN was born in 1841. He died on 5
Apr 1859 in Imboden, Lawrence Co., AR.
33 M viii. Quinton IMBODEN
34 M ix. Henry IMBODEN
Fifth Generation (Great Great Grandchildren)
26. John H. IMBODEN was born on 17 May 1818 in VA. He died on 1 Oct 1861
in Imboden, Lawrence Co., AR. John married Margaret BLACK on 7 May
1845 in Randolph Co. AR. Margaret BLACK was born in 1826 in Lawrence
Co., AR.
They had the following children:
35 F i. Mary E. IMBODEN was born in 1845.
36 M ii. Luther S. IMBODEN was born in 1848.
37 F iii. Blanch IMBODEN was born about 1850.
38 F iv. Lucy IMBODEN was born in 1852.
39 F v. Birdie IMBODEN was born in 1856.
40 M vi. Patrick IMBODEN was born on 29 Aug 1858.
41 M vii. John IMBODEN was born in 1860.
27. Andrew H. IMBODEN was born in 1820 in Caledonia, Washington Co., , MO.
He died on 15 Mar 1855 in Powhatan, Lawrence Co., AR. Andrew married
Lucinda Emiline FICKLIN on 20 Aug 1848 in Lawrence Co., AR -Bk A2, Pg
220. Lucinda Emiline FICKLIN was born in 1830 in KY.
They had the following children:
42 F i. Mary A. IMBODEN was born in 1856. Another name for Mary was
AUDIE?,.
28. Margaret E. IMBODEN was born in 1823. She died in Oct 1854 in
Lawrence Co., AR. Margaret married William S. SMITH about 1839.
William S. SMITH was born in 1812 in KY.
They had the following children:
43 M i. Watson L. SMITH was born in 1840 in Lawrence Co., AR.
44 F ii. Emma B. SMITH was born in 1842 in Lawrence Co., AR.
45 M iii. Benjamin R. SMITH was born in 1843 in Lawrence Co., AR.
46 F iv. Sarah W. SMITH was born in 1846 in Lawrence Co., AR.
47 M v. William F. SMITH was born in 1850 in Lawrence Co., AR.
29. Jane T. IMBODEN was born on 8 Apr 1824 in Washington, Co. MO. She
died on 30 Dec 1896 in Lawrence Co., AR. Jane married John BRIDGES on
11 Nov 1850 in Lawrence Co., AR - Bk A2, Pg 263. John BRIDGES was
born in 1827 in VA. , died in Imboden, Lawrence Co., AR.
They had the following children:
48 M i. George Washington BRIDGES was born after 1857 in Randolph Co.
AR. George died on 26 Sep 1938 in Littlefield, TX. George
married Bettie A. GLENN on 13 Jan 1879.
49 F ii. Johnie BRIDGES was born in 1858. She died in 1944 in
Imboden, Lawrence Co., AR. Johnie married William J.
HATCHER Dr. on 25 Nov 1875 in Lawrence Co., AR.
Jane also married William F. FERGUSON on 21 Jan 1863 in Lawrence Co.,
AR. William F. FERGUSON was born about 1823, died in Jun 1865 in
Williford, Sharp Co., AR.
They had the following children:
50 M i. Wililam FERGUSON was born in 1865 in Williford, Sharp Co., AR.
Wililam married Wayman PHILLIPS in 1885 in Sharp Co., AR.
31. Kate Susan IMBODEN was born in 1837 in Imboden, Lawrence Co., AR. She
died in 1865 in Imboden, Lawrence Co., AR. Another name for Kate was
KIT,. Kate married Green R. JONES on 5 Oct 1855 in Lawrence Co., AR,
Bk B Pg 136. Green R. JONES was born in 1823, died in 1877 in AR.
They had the following children:
51 F i. Minnie JONES was born on 9 Mar 1856 in Lawrence Co., AR.
Minnie married Robert MAXEY in 1874 in Lawrence Co., AR.
52 F ii. Mary H (Kate) JONES was born in 1858 in Imboden, Lawrence
Co., AR.
53 M iii. Luther H. JONES Luther married Sarah FULLER in 1885.
54 M iv. Charles Robert JONES was born in 1862 in Imboden, Lawrence
Co., AR.
32. Benjamin Franklin IMBODEN was born in 1841. He died on 5 Apr 1859 in
Imboden, Lawrence Co., AR. Benjamin married Mary Elizabeth FICKLIN
on 14 Dec 1857 in Lawrence Co., AR.
They had the following children:
55 M i. Benjamin Franklin Quinton IMBODEN was born on 31 Jan 1859 in
Imboden, Lawrence Co., AR. Benjamin married Zelia Elizabeth
HOLMAN about 1882
This page was updated last on April 18, 1998.