McDonough ILGenWeb

KIRKPATRICK, R. A. — To have passed nearly half a century of successful labors in an avocation requiring determination, practical ability and science, and a dozen years in a semi-legal calling which is a sure test of personal honesty, tact and good judgment — this surely constitutes a record which should give the participant a high standing in any community. As agriculturist and Justice of the Peace, R. A. Kirkpatrick was thus tried and not found wanting; and such record is all the more to his high credit in that he comes of humble parentage who could give him but the benefits of a common school education. The son of Joseph P. and Patience (Askren) Kirkpatrick, R. A. Kirkpatrick comes of Kentucky parentage, although himself born in Adams County, Ohio. His birthday was January 19, 1825, and he was the second of four children. Having attained his majority, he started as an independent farmer, removing from Ohio to McDonough County in 1866. His first purchase there was eighty acres in Mound Township, upon which he resided until 1892, when he bought the property on East Carroll Street, Macomb, to which he retired and which still constitutes his homestead. In the year mentioned he sold his McDonough County farm, and purchased a tract of 160 acres in Louisa County, Iowa. It was while a resident of Mound Township that he was elected a Justice of the Peace, performing the duties of that position so acceptably that he was retained in office for a period of twelve years. He had also served three years in Adams County, Ohio, in the same capacity. He has been a Republican as long as the party has existed, is affiliated with the G. A. R. (having enlisted in Company I, Ohio Militia, and served one hundred days), and is a member of the Presbyterian Church. Mr. Kirkpatrick's marriage to Nancy Patton, of Adams County, Ohio, occurred December 19, 1851, the children of that union being Taylor, Mary, Zenas, Oceana and Urania. His first wife died in 1870 and he was married to Sarah Work March 16, 1871. His present wife is a native of the Keystone State (Washington County), and came to McDonough County in 1866.

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Source: The Historical Encyclopedia of Illinois and History of McDonough County, compiled by Dr. Newton Bateman, and Paul Shelby, 1907, volume 2, page 928, extracted 11 May 2019 by Norma Hass.