John W. Kirkpatrick

As printed in 1907

JOHN W. KIRKPATRICK.

John Kirkpatrick, filling the position of postmaster at Menlo. and the owner of good farming property in the county which yields him a gratifying income, was born in the state of Illinois. March 4. 1858. His parents, Alexander and Sarah (Williams) Kirkpatrick, were natives of Ireland, born June 22, 1829, and September 9, 1827, respectively. They were married in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, in April, 1855, and the father followed the occupation of farming as a life work. He died at Casey, Iowa, in February, 1901.

The removal of the family to Iowa during the early childhood of John W. Kirkpatrick led him to secure his education in the public schools of Guthrie county. It was in February, 1870, that the parents came to this state, settling upon a farm in Grant township, Guthrie county, whence Mr. Kirkpatrick of this review removed to Thompson township in 1878. On the 13th of March, 1889, he again became a resident of Grant township, where he lived for three years, and then again took up his above in Thompson township. His next removal made him a resident of Beaver township, March 5, 1893. All these years he had followed farming, and his labors were bringing to him a goodly measure of success. As his financial resources increased he added to his property and is now the owner of one hundred and sixty acres in Thompson township and eighty acres in Beaver township. Upon these tracts good crops are raised, and because of the value and cultivation of the farms his property brings to him a very desirable financial return. He likewise owns residence property in Menlo, where he makes his home, and on the 6th of April, 1899, he was appointed postmaster of the town, which position he has since filled, giving a public-spirited and progressive administration in the discharge of the duties of the office.

On the 27th of February, 1889, Mr. Kirkpatrick was married, in Beaver township, to Miss Jennie Reed, and unto them have been born two sons: Ray S., bom October 22, 1892; and Alden W., December 13, 1895, Mr. and Mrs. Kirkpatrick are members of the Presbyterian church, with which he united February 2, 1896, while his wife became a member in the winter of 1880, and their eldest son joined on the 3d of February, 1902. Mr. Kirkpatrick is an elder and trustee in the church, which offices he has held for several years. His political support is given the republican party, the principles of which he has endorsed since age gave to him the right of franchise. He has been a resident of the county from the age of twelve years, and while his life has been quietly passed, largely in the pursuits of the farm, his record is not without the lessons of good citizenship, of upright manhood and of honor in business relations.

As printed in Past and present of Guthrie County, Iowa : together with biographical sketches of many of its prominent and leading citizens and illustrious dead (1907). See the original pages. Wording is the original; obvious scanning errors have been corrected, and a few may remain.