Untitled Surnames: Pettajohn, Newman, Jones, Cushman, Medley, Enloe, Lytle, Gilliam, Davis, Bomley, Martin

From Commemorative Biographical Record of the Counties of Rock, Green, Grant, Iowa and Lafayette, Wisconsin, publ. 1901 - page 325-326

JAMES G. KIRKPATRICK, deceased. To note in this biography that our lamented subject was born in 1813, takes the mind far back over an eventful epoch of history, to a time when there were no railroads or telegraphs, and the wonders of science without which we imagine we could scarcely exist were still undiscovered. But in those days brave men and women were born and lived eventful lives, often setting before the present generation examples of industry, patience, energy, and indominitable perseverance which should not be lost upon it.

James G. KIRKPATRICK was a native of the State of Georgia, a worthy son of James and Sarah (PETTAJOHN) KIRKPATRICK, both of whom were reared in the South. Some time previous to 1832 they migrated to Illinois, and at that time, when the Territory of Wisconsin was opened up for settlement, the parents of our subject were among the first pioneers to venture into the wilderness. Locating near Arthur, in Grant county, they lived there until many years had fallen upon them, and died surrounded by numerous descendants.

Our subject received his education in Illinois, there grew to manhood, and accompanied the family to Wisconsin, where he took part in the Black Hawk war, coming home unscathed. In 1840 he was united in marriage to Miss Caroline NEWMAN, the estimable daughter of John and Nancy (JONES) NEWMAN. John NEWMAN was born in Pennsylvania in 1793, and his wife was a native of Kentucky, born Dec. 6, 1803. After their marriage they lived in Madison county, Ill., until 1836, when they moved to Wisconsin and settled near Arthur, in Grant county, there passing the remainder of their lives. Mr. NEWMAN erected upon a part of his property the first gristmill in Wisconsin. The eight children reared by Mr. and Mrs. NEWMAN were: Caroline, Mrs. KIRKPATRICK, who was born March 8, 1821, in Illinois; Harriet, who married Alonzo CUSHMAN, of Iowa county; Nelson, born in 1830, who lives in the State of Iowa; John, born in 1832, residing in Nebraska; Capt. Jefferson, born in 1833, who was killed in the battle of the Wilderness during the Civil war, while serving as captain of Company C, 7th Wis. V.I. (he left a wife and two children, who reside in Chicago); William, born in 1836, who crossed the Plains to California, and was drowned in crossing the Feather river, in 1862; Jane, born in 1839, married to Philo MEDLEY, of Grant county; and Eliza, born in 1843, married to John ENLOE, of Lafayette county.

After marriage our subject and his wife started to clear up a farm near Arthur, in Grant county, being among the pioneers in that locality. In those days the country still remained in many portions almost a wilderness, and the tales that Mrs. KIRKPATRICK can still tell of that early time in the county are many and exciting, filled with adventures with Indians, with floods and prairie fires, but all of these events seem to have but strengthened in her that strong and helpful nature which is shown at the advanced age of eighty years. In 1866 they sold this farm and bought another in Iowa county, which was also improved, and sold in 1900; Mr. KIRKPATRICK's last purchase was in Belmont township, Lafayette county, which he made his home until his death, in 1897.

Besides cheerfully assisting her husband as only a noble woman can, never complaining of the privations to which she was obliged to submit, Mrs. KIRKPATRICK also bore and reared her family of five children to respected manhood and womanhood. We have the following record of the family: (1) Samuel, born in 1841 in Grant county, became a member of the 11th Wis. V.I., during the Civil war, served faithfully for four years, and now resides in Platteville. (2) Charles, born in Iowa county in 1845, married Anna LYTLE, a daughter of James and Elizabeth (GILLIAM) LYTLE of Lancaster county, Neb., the former a native of Ohio and the latter of Illinois. They were removed to Nebraska, where Mrs. LYTLE died, and he is now a resident of Colorado. Mrs. Charles KIRKPATRICK was born in Platteville in 1861. They reside on their farm in Cass county, Neb., and have one daughter, Bessie. (3) John, born in 1848, married Mary A. DAVIS, of Belmont, who died, leaving one son, Lewis E., who died in 1898, the father now living in South Dakota. (4) Isabel, born in 1851, married Charles BOMLEY, a farmer of Iowa county. (5) Nancy E., born in 1860, is the wife of Charles MARTIN, a farmer of Iowa county; his seven children are Dora, Ethel, Virgil, Ruscal, Leo, Beulah, and Erma.

In politics our subject was always devoted to the principles of Jackson Democracy, and as nearly as possible lived up to them. Among the old neighbors and friends who have known Mrs. KIRKPATRICK so long, and who affectionately remember our subject, this lovable and intelligent lady is passing a peaceful and happy old age. For many years the cares of life set heavily upon her, but she has now the great satisfaction of knowing that her children are all well placed in life, and her influence has gone out for good wherever she has been known. Many will be saddened when "grandmother" no longer greets them from her accustomed corner.



This biography generously submitted by Carol Holmbeck