Dr. Henry Lee KIRKHAM was born September 2, 1802, Ithaca, New York, the son of Samuel KIRKHAM (1759-1820) and Lemira (LEE) KIRKHAM (1766-1807). Lemira (LEE) KIRKHAM was the daughter of Henry LEE of Revolutionary War fame and a near relative of General Robert E. LEE of Civil War fame. Dr. KIRKHAM was the oldest of a family consisting of three sons and three daughters.

Dr. KIRKHAM'S brother Samuel was the author of the KIRKHAM Grammar book*, first edition believed to have been published in 1823. Their sister Lemira KIRKHAM married an uncle of William Henry TAFT.

Dr. KIRKHAM married on January 11, 1828 in Pittsburgh Pennsylvania, to Catharine Boylston MOORE, the eldest of seven daughters born to Benjamine MOORE who kept the Pittsburgh arsenal a great many years and drilled the soldiers assigned there. Catharine was born in 1811, Springfield, Massachusetts.

The KIRKHAMS resided for several years in Ohio where Dr. KIRKHAM had a medical practice. They came to Iowa in 1852, settling on a farm located near Iowa City. They came to Ringgold County in 1858, settling on a farm located four miles northwest of Mount Ayr where the Dr. and his wife resided the rest of their lives.

Dr. Henry Lee and Catharine Boylston (MOORE) KIRKHAM were the parents of thirteen children:

1) Rudolphus KIRKHAM, b. 11 Jan 1829, Thompkins NY; d. 22 Jan 1909, KS
    Civil War Veteran, Co. D, 8th Iowa Cavalry
    interment Leavenworth National Cemetery, Leavenworth KS

2) Orcelia Juliet (KIRKHAM) ARGABRIGHT, b. 15 Aug 1832, Crawford Co. OH; died 15 Aug 1832
    interment Oak Ridge Cemetery, Ringgold Co. IA

3) Theodore KIRKHAM, b. 29 Jul 1834, Crawford Co. OH

4) Oscar KIRKHAM, b. 11 Jul 1837, Crawford Co. OH; d. circa 1866, KS; married circa 1861 MO to Louise (?)

5) Orlando KIRKHAM, b. 19 Feb 1842, Seneca Co. OH; d. 10 Jul 1912
    Civil War Veteran, Co. D, 8th Iowa Cavalry
    interment Oak Ridge Cemetery, Ringgold Co. IA

6) Harriette H. KIRKHAM, b. 26 May 1843; d. 10 Sep 1921
    interment Oak Ridge Cemetery, Ringgold Co. IA
    married 27 Aug 1865, MO William SINGLETON
    Child: Minnie (SINGLETON) HARROLD (1872-1950), interment Rose Hill Cemetery, Mount Ayr

7) William Ralph KIRKHAM, b. 09 Aug 1848, Seneca Co. OH
    married 27 Jun 1878, Missouri Valley IA to Virginia WADE (1856-?)

8) Frances Emma KIRKHAM, b. 25 Aug 1845, OH; d. 12 Jan 1913, Ringgold Co. IA
    interment Oak Ridge Cemetery, Ringgold Co. IA

9) Frank H. KIRKHAM, b. 09 Dec 1852, OH; d. of typhoid fever, 06 Oct 1876, Ringgold Co. IA
    interment Oak Ridge Cemetery, Ringgold Co. IA

10) George Albert KIRKHAM, b. 1856, IA; d. 04 Sep 1915, College Springs IA
      married Elizabeth BUCHANAN (1858-1902)
      interment Diagonal Cemetery, Ringgold Co. IA

11) daughter KIRKHAM

12) son KIRKHAM

13) daughter KIRKHAM

Catharine Boylston (MOORE) KIRKHAM died in Ringgold County on December 29, 1885, at the age of 74 years. Dr. Henry Lee KIRKHAM died at the age of 76 years on July 28, 1879, Ringgold County, Iowa.

   

  * It has been said that as a youth, Abraham LINCOLN studied religiously during his lunch hour using his KIRKHAM Grammar book and its lessons, such as "Remember that on the intellect of your youth rests the future of your beloved country."

Samuel KIRKHAM was never in the best of health, nor was he able to financially have his grammar book published. Dr. Henry Lee KIRKHAM furnished the funds and helped sell the first edition of the book. A late edition of the grammar book was entered to acts of Congress [copyrighted?] in 1857 by Harper Brothers and was sold for 75-cents a copy. Professor J. W. WILKERSON, principal and teacher at Mount Ayr, studied out of the KIRKHAM Grammar book. Unlike other grammar books, it was arranged as lectures.

SOURCE:
LESAN, Mrs. B. M. Early History of Ringgold County: 1844 - 1937 Pp. 153-4.Blair Pub. House. Lamoni IA. 1937.

Transcription by Sharon R. Becker, May of 2010