Robert Kirkpatrick

As printed in 1901

ROBERT KIRKPATRICK.

Linn county- has Cuite a number of enterprising and thorough-going farmers who are giving the greater share of their attention to the raising of fine stock, and thus enhancing materially the value of such in this locality. To this class belongs Robert Kirkpatrick, of section 18, Franklin township. A native of this county, he was born four miles south of Mt. V'vernon, August 21, 1867, and is a son of James Kirkpatrick, whose sketch appears elsewhere in this volume. He acquired his early education in the district schools near his boyhood home, and later attended the business college at Cedar Rapids. After leaving school at the age of twenty-two years, he devoted his entire time to the work of the home farm.

Mr. Kirkpatrick was married in Cedar county, Iowa, March 14, 1895, o Miss Jennie Light, who was born December 5, 1873, in Lebanon county. Pennsylvania, in the same house where her mother's birth occurred. Her parents were Cornelius \V. and Rosie A. (Meyer) Light, both natives of Pennsylvania, where they continued to make their home until coming to Linn county, Iowa, in 1882. Her father at first rented a farm five miles north of Lisbon for one year, and for three years rented anntlier place five miles northwest of Mt. Vernon. At the end of that time he purchased a farm of two hundred acres in Pioneer township, Cedar county, five miles southeast of Lisbon, and there he has resided ever since, having one of the best farms in the locality. In his family were six children, namely: George W. married Estclla Ballard and resides on a farm two miles snulh of Lisbon; Joseph, a twin brother of Get)rge, died in infancy; Katie M. married Ernest Johnson and they lived on the old Johnson homestead in Franklin township;.she died January 13, 1890, at the home of her parents; Sallv A. died February 21, 1896; Jennie, wife of our subject, is next in order of birth: and Eri AT. assists in the management of the Imme farm. Mr. and Mrs. Kirkjxitrick have three children: Pearl M., born August 8, 1896;

Eugene L., born April 9, 1898; and Clara Lucile, born July 8, 1900. Mrs. Kirkpatrick taught school in Linn, Johnson and Cedar counties, and also one term in I-"franklin county.

After his marriage Mr. Kirkpatrick bought what was known as the old Scott farm of one hundred acres on section 18, Franklin township, and under his careful supervision it has become one of the most highly cultivated and best improved tracts in the locality, while it has increased in value one-third since it came into his possession. He has made a careful study of both farming and stock raising, and has been eminently successful in his chosen vocation. He breeds a high grade of cattle and Poland China hogs, and also raises horses, and feeds all the grain that he raises to his stock, having never sold but twenty-five Ijushels, as he believes stock raising to be the most profitable branch of his business. His attention being wholly occupied by his agricultural interests, he finds no time to devote to public affairs, and has always refused to become a candidate for office. In politics he is a Republican. Both Mr. and Mrs. Kirkpatrick attend the Presbyterian church, and receive and merit the respect and esteem of all who know them.

As printed in Biographical records of Linn County, Iowa .. (1901). See the original pages. Wording is the original; obvious scanning errors have been corrected, and a few may remain.