Matthew H. Kirkpatrick

As printed in 1907

MATTHEW H. KIRKPATRICK.

That the soil of Guthrie county is naturally rich and productive and will yield large crops in return for the care and labor bestowed upon it is evidenced in the farm of Matthew H. Kirkpatrick, who is one of the leading and progressive agriculturists of Thompson township. He has always been a resident of the Mississippi valley, his birth having occurred in Livingston county, Illinois, on the 22d of March, 1860.

His parents were Alexander and Sarah (Williams) Kirkpatrick. The father was born in Ireland on the 22d of June, 1826, and was there reared to manhood. When twenty-one years of age he emigrated to the United States to seek his fortune, having* heard most favorable reports concerning the business opportunities here enjoyed and the excellent return which could be secured for labor. On his arrival he located in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, and secured employment in a wholesale mercantile establishment. On the 27th of April, 1855, he married Miss Sarah Williams and soon afterward removed to Livingston county, Illinois, where he turned his attention to farming, being thus engaged until February, 1870. At that date he crossed the Mississippi with his family and came to Guthrie county, Iowa, settling in Grant township. There he purchased a quarter section of land, upon which he lived for seven years, after which he bought a half section in Thompson township, removing to the new farm, thereon he resided up to the time of his death. He passed away January 14, 1901, in the faith of the Methodist Episcopal church, of which he had long been a consistent member. His political views were in accord with the principles of the republican party and he served for several years as a member of the school board. He was deeply interested in the cause of education and he gave a section of land for the erection of the school building in his district. He believed in the maintenance of good schools and the employment of competent teachers, and was. furthermore, of a most progressive spirit in regard to other matters of citizenship, giving his aid to every movement that he believed would prove of benefit to the community. His wife, who was born in County Donegal, Ireland, on the 9th of September, 1826, emigrated to America on reaching young womanhood. She located in Philadelphia, where she had relatives living. She still survives and is now in her eighty first year, being a remarkably well preserved woman who appears to be many years younger. She belongs to the ited Brethren church and has led a consistent Christian life, characterized by devotion to all of the duties of the home and to all other obligations which have devolved upon her. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Kirkpatrick were born eight children, of whom six are yet living, namely: James Francis, who resides in Baker township, this county; John William, who is postmaster at Menlo; Matthew H., of this review; Mary J., the wife of J. E. Morrison, of Thompson township; Samuel R., a resident farmer of Thompson township; and I. A., a resident farmer of Thompson township.

Matthew H. Kirkpatrick spent his boyhood days in his parents' home, remaining a resident of Illinois until about ten years of age, when the family removed to Iowa. He has since been a resident of Guthrie county and is indebted to the public schools of Illinois and of this state for the educational privileges he enjoyed. He was early trained to habits of industry, economy and honesty and these have proved valuable elements in his later life. Following his marriage he located on a farm of one hundred and forty acres, which he acquired at this time on section 19, Thompson township. There he lived for ten years, after which he removed to his present home, which he had purchased two years before. He owns both these farms, together with a tract of land of eighty-seven acres in Adair county, which he purchased in 1904. His landed interests in this part of the state are therefore quite extensive and very valuable, for the land has constantly increased in value, owing to the settlement of the state and to the improvements which have been made upon it. He lived in Stuart from 1900 to 1906, where he engaged in the real-estate and insurance business. In December, 1906, he returned to the farm and is now giving his time and energies to general agricultural pursuits.

Mr. Kirkpatrick was married in 1887 to Miss Maggie Holland, of Livingston county, Illinois, and unto them have been born three children: Earl H., Eugene M. and Edna May. In politics Mr. Kirkpatrick is a republican but the honors and emoluments of office have had no attraction for him. Both he and his wife hold membership in the Methodist Episcopal church and are consistent and worthy Christian people, who enjoy in large measure the confidence, good will and high regard of all with whom they have been brought in contact. Mr. Kirkpatrick is numbered among the successful and energetic business men of Guthrie county, where for thirty-seven years he has made his home, and he has, therefore, been a witness of much of the growth and development of this part of the state as it has emerged from pioneer conditions and taken on all of the evidences of advanced civilization.

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.