John A. Kirchner, 1829-1916

KIRCHNER

Posted By: Clay County IAGenWeb Coordinator (email)
Date: 11/28/2011 at 17:50:15

OLDEST CITIZEN OF COUNTY DEAD

John A. Kirchner of Peterson Died at His Home Last Thursday

John A. Kirchner of Peterson who was the first settler in Clay county, died at his home Thursday of last week. Mr. Kirchner was born in Germany May 24, 1829. He came to the United States with his parents in 1841, and first lived at Albany, New York, until 1856, when he moved to Peterson, Clay county, and that place has been his home ever since.

Mr. Kirchner came to this county in 1856 in company with A. S. Mead. They came from Dubuque, walking the entire distance. They followed the Little Sioux river for several miles and finally decided to locate near where the town of Peterson is now. They bought land from the railroad company, but the deed was not good, and later an act of the legislature was necessary to establish their title. Mr. Kirchner built a saw mill in Peterson in 1872.

Mr. Kirchner probably cast the first vote ever polled in the county, and was the first postmaster of the town of Peterson and held the position for fifteen years, and has also served as township clerk and member of the board of supervisors.

Mr. Kirchner was a fine man, and leaves quite a large family, and a host of friends to mourn his death.

Source: Spencer Reporter, Spencer, Clay County, Iowa; April 26, 1916.

Interment in Oakland cemetery
 

Clay Obituaries maintained by Kris Meyer.
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