Kirkland, Mary Jane 1848-1933

KIRKLAND, RICKETS, CLARK, ATKINSON, PILGRIM, AHRENS, MCFADDEN, ROWE, DONNAN, PORTER

Posted By: Marilyn Holmes (email)
Date: 3/3/2010 at 12:28:23

Grinnell, Iowa newspaper dated Feb. 21, 1933

MRS. JOSEPH KIRKLAND IS DEAD

Miss Mary Jane Clark was the oldest child of a family of eleven children. She was born to Aaron and Cassandra Rickets Clark, May 5, 1848, in Harrison county, Ohio, and quietly passed away at her home on East street Saturday evening, Feb. 18.

In 1865 the family in company with several others, came to Iowa by way of the covered wagon.

Jan. 1, 1874, she was married to Joseph Kirkland and this year they quietly celebrated their 59th wedding anniversary.

There were born to this union three children, the oldest of whom, Jimmie, died in 1880. The two daughters are still living, Mrs. Vesta Atkinson and Mrs. N.O. Pilgrim, both of Grinnell.

Mrs. Kirkland is survived by her husband and two daughters, two grandchildren and one great grandchild. The grandchildren are Ralph Atkinson of Peoria, Ill., and Mrs. Lester Ahrens of Grinnell. The great grandchild is Bobby Ahrens of Grinnell.

Mrs. Kirkland was a home lover. There was no place where she was quite so happy as when she was in her home ministering to the needs of her household.

In the early days, when the little town of Ewart was being built, the hungry and homeless were cared for by the Kirklands. Their home life was simple and hospitable. The early Methodist ministers and district superintendents were often entertained in their home. This shows that the thought of the family centered in the church. It was a wonderful family. When they could not go to church they inquired very diligently about the church and how it was progressing. Mrs. Kirkland was a great reader, and loved the church paper which she took for several years. For over 60 years she had been a member of the church, and worked for its progress. There need be no worry about the future, for she loved her Master deeply.

There are three sisters and four brothers living. The sisters are Mrs. Lucinda McFadden of Grinnell, Mrs. Robert Rowe of Iowa City, and Mrs. William Donnan of Tintah, Minn. The four brothers are V.M. Clark of Grinnell, Nate Clark of Ewart, S.D. Clark of Leavenworth, Wash., and T.B. Clark of Ellendale, N.D. The deceased brothers and sister are Mrs. S.J. Porter, Worth and James.

Funeral services were held from the Kirkland home at the south end of East street, this afternoon at 2 o'clock, conducted by the Rev. W.J. Fowler. During the service the pastor sang "Beautiful Isle of Somewhere" at the request of the family.