To
send Russ mail click here
[Thanks to John Krall!]
Robert A. Kirkman, a farmer residing on section 3, Fall Creek Township [Hamilton County, IN], was born in Guilford County, N. C., November 23, 1852, and is a son of Elisha and Bulah W. (PARKER) KIRKMAN. The family is of Scotch origin. The grandfather, John KIRKMAN, was born in Guilford County, June 3, 1793, and was a farmer. He was married February 24, 1813, to Nancy McGEE, and they had nine children: Alva E.; Andrew, who died in North Carolina; Elisha, John and Daniel M., of North Carolina; William W. and Esther A., both deceased; Mary J. and Virgil N., who have also passed away. The parents were faithful and consistent members of the Reformed Methodist Church. The father died November 17, 1853, and his wife died November 12, 1846.
Elisha KIRKMAN was born in Guilford County, February 9, 1820, and was a farmer and miner of North Carolina, where he worked in the gold mines. During the war he was a stanch supporter of the Union. In 1858 he removed to Missouri, where he purchased a farm, making his home thereon for three years. While in that state he served as Justice of the Peace. In the spring of 1873 he went to California, locating near San Francisco, where he had a four-acre farm. He now makes his home with our subject. His wife died September 18, 1890. She was the mother of eleven children, of whom six reached mature years: Jabez L., who served under General Price during the late war; Mary A.; Sarah E., Mrs. Dalis McKINNEY, who died leaving two sons; Robert A., Susan E., Mrs. James McKINNEY, who is living in Missouri; and William C., a resident of Berkley, Cal.
In his youth Robert KIRKMAN acquired a good education. He accompanied his parents on their various removals, and went with them to California. At the age of twenty-one he began earning his own livelihood. He was connnected with a local express between San Leandro and San Francisco for seven years, being a partner the first two years. He purchased two hundred and forty acres of land in Tulare County, and for three years engaged in farming. He then carried on general merchandising, and was agent for the Wells-Fargo Express company, the Western Union Telegraph Company, and for the Southern Pacific Telegraph Company while engaged in merchandising. At length he disposed of his business interests in the west, and on the 17th of October, 1892, came to Indiana.
Mr. KIRKMAN was united in marriage, November 24, 1878, with Mary F. CARTER, a native of El Dorado County, Cal., and a daughter of William and Elizabeth (CARLOCK) CARTER, natives of Kentucky and Ohio, respectively. They were married in Missouri, and in 1852 went to California, where Mr. CARTER worked in the mines. In 1861 he removed to San Jaoquin County, where he hass since engaged in farming. In politics, he is a Democrat, and has served as Justice of the Peace. Socially, he is a Mason. The grandfather, Jacob CARLOCK, was born and reared in Ohio and is still living in the state of Washington. Unto Mr. and Mrs. KIRKMAN have been born six children: Walter A., Dora F., Lester W., Merritt Isham, Ella L, and Rita May.
Both Mr. and Mrs. KIRKMAN are faithful members and active workers in the Methodist Episcopal Church, and are highly esteemed for their good works. On coming to Indiana, he purchased one hundred and sixty acres of valuable land and is now sucessfully engaged in general farming and stock-raising. He began life with a capital of only $40, but by patient industry and persistent effort he has gained a comfortable competence. While in California he served as Postmaster. Socially, he is a member of the Odd Fellows’ society. He was formerly a Republican in politics, but is now a Prohibitionist.
[Portrait and Biographical Record of Madison and Hamilton Counties,
Indiana, Chicago, Biographical Publishing Co., 1893, pages 606-607.]
[John Krall, added to web page 9-Aug-1999]