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DAVID KIRKPATRICK, deceased, belonged to that large class of intelligent and enterprising people who came into Iowa from the Eastern States during its pioneer period, and who were such important factors in developing to so high a degree the resources which nature has so generously lavished upon it. The element of Iowa's population, of which Mr. Kirkpatrick was a member, has not only contributed vastly to the development of the material resources of the State, until to-day it takes a front rank as a producing section of our country, but it has stood as a champion of increased educational facilities. Mr. Kirkpatrick was a native of New Jersey, born Nov. 22, 1803. He received the advantages of a common-school education, and when a young man emigrated to Guernsey County, Ohio, where he was engaged in teaching school. Nov. 17, 1825, he was united in marriage with Nancy Anderson, a native of Virginia, born March 31, 1811. After marriage he engaged in the mercantile trade in Guernsey County for a time, and about 1834 moved to Hardin County, whence he came to Iowa in 1852, and entered over 1,200 acres of land in Canton Township. He then returned to Ohio for his family, and moved with them to their new home in 1853. He taught school the first winter receiving the remuneration of $1.25 per day. He worked hard and diligently, observing economy in all things, and, being a good financier, he soon had money to loan, which in those days brought a high rate of interest. Thus he accumulated property rapidly and for many years was counted among the successful and well-to-do farmers of the county. He was well known and highly respected by all, and his death, which took place on his farm April 28, 1874, was much regretted by the community. His wife departed this life in Benton County, Nov. 10, 1870.Mr. and Mrs. Kirkpatrick were the parents of nine children, five of whom survive as follows: Harriet, now the widow of John Parker; Hannah is the wife of P. M. Harbert: Sarah, now the wife of Daniel Spurgeon; Martha, wife of Alexander Johnson, and Nancy, wife of Julius M. Shomler.
Politically Mr. Kirkpatrick was at first a Whig, and while in Ohio served as County Commissioner of Hardin County, but after the Republican party was organized, he worked with and was a strict advocate and supporter of its principles.
Source Citation: "1887 Benton County, Iowa Biographies" [database online] Benton County IAGenWeb Project. <http://iagenweb.org/benton/>
Original data: "Portrait and Biographical Album of Benton County, Iowa." Chicago: Chapman Brothers, 1887, p. 263-264.
Transcribed by: Sue Soden. Submitted to the Benton County IAGenWeb Project on February 9th, 2009. Copyright © 2009 The IAGenWeb Project.
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