Old Settlers' Stories
by The Kirby's
Joseph Harper Kirby was the oldest son of George W. and Catherine F. Kirby, born March 11, 1843, at Monroe County, Indiana. He grew up on the family farm and learned the trade of wheelwright at the nearby blacksmith and wagon shop. He enlisted in Company E of the 145th Indiana Volunteer Infantry. This regiment was charged with the responsibility of guarding all the railroads and important bridges in the Confederacy as they were captured by the Union forces. Following his discharge at Macon, Georgia, he returned home to join his family on the move to Linn County, Iowa. They arrived in Linn County in late March of 1867, and settled down on a farm near Prairieburg. Joseph claimed his own farm and worked at both the farm and his wheelwright shop in town.
Joseph met Sarah Amelia Sherman shortly after his arrival at Prairieburg and on February 22, 1869, they were married. Sarah's father had been a cooper on a whaling ship sailing out of Providence, Rhode Island. In more than twenty years at sea he had circumnavigated the globe four times plus numerous other long trips.
Sarah and Joseph started their family on his farm but early in 1873, they decided to move to Allendorf Township, Iowa, where Joseph took out both a tree claim and homestead. These claims are recorded in Sioux City, Federal Building. Their family grew to five children: Gale B. 3-1872; Minnie Olive B. 12-1875; Alta Catherine B. 1-1877; Guy Wylie B. 1884; Cyrus Burr B. 6-1887.
Joseph H. was highly successful in farming but early in the 1890s, he was forced to sell the farm and move to Ocheyedan. A war injury made it impossible to continue as a farmer. In town, Joseph built a two story frame building directly across the street from Gole's Store. He started a furniture store and by virtue of being in the furniture business he also became the village undertaker. Joseph operated this business until about 1903, when he retired. This is the business operated by Mr. Frank Boyd until the late 1930's, or early 1940s.
Joseph enjoyed his retirement and the couple traveled quite frequently to visit their relatives in Nebraska, Kansas, and central Iowa. Both Joseph and Sarah Amelia were very devout and active members of the Methodist church of Ocheyedan. Joseph enjoyed and was an active participant in civic affairs while Sarah Amelia was active in the Ladies Aid Society and several other church affiliated groups.
Joseph died from complications of pneumonia on March 5, 1911, and is buried in the Kirby family plot in the Ocheyedan Cemetery. Sarah Amelia lived by herself in her home under the watchful eye of her daughter Alta Catherine Stewart. She passed away February 15, 1916, and is buried at her husband's side in the Ocheyedan Cemetery.
-Transcribed by Roseanna Zehner