William KIRKLAND

  General Notes:

WILLIAM D. KIRKLAND, farmer, P. O. Ostrander, Delaware County, an old pioneer of Mill Creek, was born in Mecklinburg County, Va., December 20, 1808. His parents, George and Martha (Stanback) Kirkland, were also natives of Mecklinburg County. His father was born March 5, 1777, and his mother December 14, 1791. They were married in 1807, and removed to Charlotte County, Va., in 1812. From that county Mr. Kirkland was drafted in the war with Great Britain, and served eighteen months. His father, Burrel Kirkland, served from beginning to end in the American Revolution, after which he moved to Montgomery County, Ky., where he died, aged one hundred and eight. In 1829, our subject's parents removed to Franklin County, Ohio, where they both died; the former in December 1863, and the latter September 13, 1875. William, at an early age, learned wagon and carriage making, at which both his father and grandfather were professionals. He followed it till 1838, and more or less till 1858. In four years at his trade, near Dublin, he made and saved $400, with which, in 1840, he bought 70 acres of land in Mill Creek Township, for which he paid $212. He would often work in the harvest-field cradling grain all day, and then work all night at his trade. In February 1841, he moved on his new farm on Mill Creek, and followed the farm of summers and his trade of winters, till 1858, since which time he has farmed alone. In 1852, he purchased thirty acres, paying for the same $300. He has made subsequent additions, till his farm now contains 300 acres of land, most of which he has cleared and improved himself. Since 1859, he has been engaged in farming and stock-raising, and for the last four years be has kept French and Clydesdale horses. September 10, 1829, he was married to Jane, daughter of John Trusler, who died September 9, 1853, leaving five children; four are living-Lizzie, wife of Adam Robinson; Hannah, wife of Wilson Brown; George and William John is deceased. Mr. Kirkland was married the second time May 2, 1859, to Elizabeth A. Beard, daughter of Michael and Mary Beard, and a native of Zanesville, Ohio, where she was born October 29, 1823. Two sons were born to this union-Michael A. and Marion E. Mr. Kirkland embarked in life a poor boy, but, through perseverance and energy, he has made for himself valuable possessions. Politically, he is Democratic, having cast his first vote for Gen. Jackson.

William married Jane TRUSLER on 10 Sep 1829 in Ohio. (Jane TRUSLER died on 9 Sep 1853 in Union Co, Ohio.)