Virginia native Rev. James O. Wimbush came to central Iowa by late 1900. He placed a note of thanks in the December 14, 1900 Iowa State Bystander expressing gratitude to the people of Saylor Township and Marquisville for their support. It was noted he would deliver services at the new church at E. 9th and Maple in the December 22, 1901 Des Moines Register. In the March 4, 1907, Des Moines Register Wimbush was among the many Black ministers who preached in opposition to the production of “The Clansman” being presented at the major Des Moines venue of Foster’s Opera House.

He preached in other Iowa communities including Colfax and Ottumwa. He later served as pastor at St. Mary’s Baptist Church at E. 7th and Des Moines as reported in the Des Moines Register & Leader of April 28, 1908. Wimbush remained active in the community into 1910 speaking at community events such as a June 1910 meeting of Black “progressives” connected to the Republican Party. He and his wife sold property in Des Moines in September 1910. Wimbush moved to San Francisco, California and the Des Moines Tribune reported on his death in its April 10, 1912 newspaper. It described him as “one of the best known colored ministers in the middle west.” He was buried in San Francisco, California.