GEORGE H. KIRKHAM, a prominent farmer and progressive citizen of Littleton township, Schuyler county, was born in Brooklyn township, this county, April 22, 1846. His parents were Henry and Elizabeth Kirkham, his father still living in Buena Vista township, this county.
Our subject received his education from a private teacher, who boarded about at the different homes, teaching in the various families, his facilities were thus necessarily limited, all of which have been supplemented by subsequent endeavor and self instruction. At the age of twenty, he enlisted in the war on August 15, 1861, serving in Company G and D, Twenty-eighth Illinois Infantry for four years, under the command of Captain B. C. Gillam, He was with his regiment all through the war, with the exception of about four months, when he was sick and in the hospital at Monterey, and went through the international struggle without receiving so much as a scratch. He was mustered out of the service in Brownsville, Texas, and honorably discharged in March, 1866. He had a brother and two step-brothers also in the late war, his brother in the same regiment as himself, while his step-brothers served in the Fiftieth Illinois Infantry. His brother served for three years, at the end of which time he went as a substitute, serving until the close of the war. Both of his step-brothers were re-enlisted.
After the war he returned to Schuyler county, and on November 6, 1870, was married to Anna E. Garrison, who was born in this township and county, July 31, 1846. She was a daughter of George and Sarah Garrison, prominent pioneers of this county, who both died here, her father at the age of seventy-seven years. She was one of eleven children, ten still living. Our subject is one of six children, five living, all of them farmers.
After marriage, he located where he now resides, on a part of the old Garrison farm, he having made all the improvements at present noticeable on the place. He built, in 1882, his present large and comfortable home, and now has good barns for his grain and stock, besides various other modern conveniences. Facilitating the handling of the various products of his farm, which is devoted to mixed agriculture. He has recently added to his original farm by purchasing 160 acres and now has one of the largest and best farms in the county, having more than 800 rods of tiling on his place.
Mr. and Mrs. Kirkham have ten children: Charles L., at Normal school, born January 6, 1872; Elizabeth, born March 27, 1873, wife of William Blodgett; Ida F., born November 16, 1874, now attending the Normal school; William R., born December 14, 1876; Margaret G., born August 4, 1878; George H., born May 16, 1882; Anna B. M., born September 4, 1884; James O., born January 4, 1888.
Politically, Mr. Kirkham is a Republican, and cast his first vote for General Grant's first term. He served as Collector of his township during 1890, doing in that capacity creditable and satisfactory work. He is a member of Colonel Horney Post G.A.R., No. 131.
He and wife are consistent members of the Christian Church, of which Mr. Kirkham is Deacon, and for the support of which he and his wife are ardent workers and liberal contributors.
Intelligent, honest and public-spirited, he commands the respect of all, while his more amiable virtues have won the affection regard of his fellow citizens.
HENRY KIRKHAM, one of the oldest living pioneers and most highly esteemed citizens of Schuyler county, dates his first appearance on the stirring scene of this locality on January 4, 1835. He is a native of Ohio. His father, Henry Kirkham, was born in Virginia, September 2, 1769, while his grandfather, Michael Kirkham, came from Ireland, where he was married, to the United States, locating first in Virginia, and later moved to Kentucky, residing near Lexington, that State, for seven years, during the Indian troubles. He died in Kentucky in 1835, aged ninety-six years. His wife died on the same day, aged ninety-four years, both dying of cholera.
The father of our subject removed from Virginia when a boy, accompanying the family to Kentucky, where he was married to Mary Gay. She was a native of Kentucky, having been born in that State in 1773. She died September 9, 1820. The parents of our subject removed from Kentucky to Ohio, coming in 1834 to Illinois, locating in Rushville township. Here his father died April 12, 1840.
His parents had ten children: Agnes, born February 3, 1794, married John Patterson, and died in Ohio; Sarah, born February 15, 1796, married John Kaze, and died in Missouri; Margaret, born January 6, 1798, was married, and died in Bloomfield, Illinois; James, born January 11, 1800, died in Ohio; John, born September 6, 1802, died in Schuyler county, Illinois; Michael, born February 20, 1805, died in Schuyler county, Illinois; Mary, born August 7, 1808, married Martin Huffstetter, and died in Iowa; Rebecca, born February 20, 1810, married Peter Wempler, and died in Schuyler county, Illinois; the subject of our sketch, was born in Ohio; William, born August 1, 1815, died in California.
At the age of five or six years, our subject removed with his parents to Monroe county, Indiana. Here he was reared on a farm, attending the district school, but receiving but little instruction. On January 4, 1835, he married Elizabeth Hinkle, and at once came to Illinois, locating in Schuyler county. He was poor, consequently rented the land for some years, finally purchasing the land in Woodstock township, Schuyler county, where he remained until the close of the war, when he removed to Buena Vista township, where he now resides. Here he owns eighty-two acres, which he has vastly improved, having erected a substantial residence and barns for grain and stock, besides numerous other modern conveniences for the pursuit of farming. His land is under a good state of cultivation, being devoted to mixed agriculture. It was here that his wife died, September 26, 1847, leaving six children to his care. She was a lady of much intelligence and many admirable traits of character, and was greatly regretted by her family and friends. The children were: James, born February 13, 1836, still residing with his father; William, born September 26, 1837, was a soldier in Company G, Twenty-eighth Illinois, serving three years in the army, then re-enlisted and did duty until the close of the war, and now resides in Portland, Oregon; Mary, born September 4, 1839, married Jabez Vatters, residing in Macomb, Illinois; George H., born April 22, 1841, was a soldier in the Twenty-eighth Illinois, serving until the close of the war, now residing in Littleton township, Illinois; Sarah E., born March 20, 1843, married, and now resides in Springfield, Illinois; Margaret, born December 7, 1844, married Amos Burgee, and resides in Portland, Oregon.
Our subject was married a second time, March 26, 1846, his second wife being Frances Swan, born in 1803. They had one son: Robert John, born December 28, 1849. By a former marriage to Morris Swan, she had had six children: Martha, Matilda, Mary Ann, James, Jason W. and one that died in infancy. His second wife died in 1875, much lamented by all who knew her, as a worthy woman, a faithful wife and devoted mother.
Politically, our subject first voted the Whig ticket, and is now a Republican. His constituents have honored him by electing him to one of the most responsible positions in their power to bestow, he having served as School Treasurer for forty years, which is the only office he would accept.
The Kirkhams are Presbyterians, although our subject is not a member of any church. He is, however, a believer in the Christian religion, and has never used a profane word, or tasted intoxicating liquor in his life. A kind of rara avis, sometimes heard of but seldom seen.
His endorsement by the community, and his conduct of life, make further remarks unnecessary. His integrity and fidelity are noticeable in this day of uncertainty in such matters, and are as refreshing as they are rare, and appear to be fully appreciated by his community. Would that the world might have more of such men, that the millennium might be hastened!