Ceila Lydia Kirkham and FamilyMonday, August 31, 2009
Sunday, August 30, 2009
Ezra Kirkham
April 29, 1810 - September 9, 1887
Ezra Kirkham’s Life Recounted
By: Rosella Kirkham Dicks
Ezra Mitchell Kirkham was born in Preble County, Ohio to a hardy family, always moving on in search for new and better things.
His parents and grandparents had migrated from Augusta County, Virginia, west across the mountains into Kentucky and then, on into Ohio. In 1866, Ezra had come as far as Urbana Township, Monroe County, Iowa. He remained there until his death in 1887.
At the time of the Black Hawk War (1831-1832) Ezra’s family had moved from Ohio and settled in Schuyler County, Illinois. Ezra enrolled in this war and served as a fifer. He was in the Illinois Mounted Volunteers in Captain Hollingsworth’s County. On May 22, 1832, records show that he lost his horse. He was mustered out of service June 15, 1832, at Ottawa, Illinois, some 200 miles from his home in Schuyler County.
Ezra Mitchell Kirkham married his first wife, Naomi Johnson, in Schuyler County, Illinois. They left Illinois and were settled at Drakesville, by 1843. Naomi died January 10, 1849 leaving six children ranging in age 12 to 3 years. Ezra, in desperate need for a mother to his children, married Mary Ann Neidigh in February, 1849. This was a short period of five weeks from the death of his first wife. This only increased the size of his responsibilities, because May Ann was a widow with four small children ages nine through three. In this second marriage another six children were born.
During the California Gold Rush, Ezra took into his already crowded home, his sister, Elizabeth Kirkham Rall and her five children. Her husband had left to make a fortune in the gold fields. This made a total of 21 children and three adults under the same roof. The neighbors would often see the children from this house going along the road to school two by two.
Elizabeth’s husband was gone for 21 years searching for and working in the gold fields. Occasionally he would send some money home for his family, but Ezra was responsible for the raising and education of these five children in addition to his own 12 children and 4 step-children.
When Elizabeth’s husband finally returned from California, he came back a penniless man. He never found the fortune that he had dreamed about.
The Davis County history says that Ezra Kirkham was a precise, methodical man, an example to his fellow farmers. There was nothing slovenly about his farm. It was clean. His fields like the gardens before he planted, and his corn rows were straight to perfection. He did his work in his own atmosphere, which did not appear particularly warm and inviting to others, so acquiring the title “Old Ezra” although he was in much esteem as a strong upstanding man.
During these busy years Ezra is mentioned in the political history of Davis County as a County Commissioner. Also, as one of the organizers of the Drakesville Christian Church in the year 1846.
In 1866 Ezra decided it was time to move on, so he purchased land four miles SE of Albia, in Urbana Township of Monroe County. By this time many of his children had families of their own and had moved away from the crowded home of their parents. Ezra had lost a son in the Civil War in the Battle of Jonesboro, Ga. This son is buried at the National Cemetery at Marietta, Ga. Ezra lived the rest of his life in Monroe County. He died in 1887 and is buried in Oak View Cemetery in Albia.
Ezra was a fine violinist and flutist, and considered by his family as a rare musician. As long as he was able, he would go back to the Drakseville Fourth of July celebration to take part in the celebration.
While living here in Monroe County his daughter Margaret, 21, died of consumption. Two years later his wife Mary Ann Neidigh Kirkham died. The next year his step-daughter, Elizabeth Neidigh died at the age of 29. She had been a school teacher in Troy Township. There three members of his family died within three short years. They are buried at Oak View Cemetery.
Ezra is buried with his wife and part of his family at Oak View. His stone stands straight and erect amidst many fallen and broken stones. Perhaps this reflects the sturdiness and firmness of the character whose body is buried beneath the sod. The Black Hawk War Standard is by his stone and always holds a flag on memorial day.
Ezra Mitchell Kirkham was an uncle to my Grandfather, George Dooley Kirkham. When my grandparents were first married they made their home with him. Here again Ezra was sharing his home and helping members of his family.
Through my years of family research I have tried to get in touch with a descendant of Old Uncle Ezra but haven’t been successful in finding one. I’d be delighted if anyone could give me a clue as to whatever happened to this line of my family.
Ezra’s family consisted mainly of girls. He had four sons, one of whom was killed in the Civil War. Another son had all daughters, and yet another son had no children at all. So, Ezra’s direct line of descendants would not carry on the Kirkham family name.
Ezra Kirkham’s Life Recounted
By: Rosella Kirkham Dicks
Ezra Mitchell Kirkham was born in Preble County, Ohio to a hardy family, always moving on in search for new and better things.
His parents and grandparents had migrated from Augusta County, Virginia, west across the mountains into Kentucky and then, on into Ohio. In 1866, Ezra had come as far as Urbana Township, Monroe County, Iowa. He remained there until his death in 1887.
At the time of the Black Hawk War (1831-1832) Ezra’s family had moved from Ohio and settled in Schuyler County, Illinois. Ezra enrolled in this war and served as a fifer. He was in the Illinois Mounted Volunteers in Captain Hollingsworth’s County. On May 22, 1832, records show that he lost his horse. He was mustered out of service June 15, 1832, at Ottawa, Illinois, some 200 miles from his home in Schuyler County.
Ezra Mitchell Kirkham married his first wife, Naomi Johnson, in Schuyler County, Illinois. They left Illinois and were settled at Drakesville, by 1843. Naomi died January 10, 1849 leaving six children ranging in age 12 to 3 years. Ezra, in desperate need for a mother to his children, married Mary Ann Neidigh in February, 1849. This was a short period of five weeks from the death of his first wife. This only increased the size of his responsibilities, because May Ann was a widow with four small children ages nine through three. In this second marriage another six children were born.
During the California Gold Rush, Ezra took into his already crowded home, his sister, Elizabeth Kirkham Rall and her five children. Her husband had left to make a fortune in the gold fields. This made a total of 21 children and three adults under the same roof. The neighbors would often see the children from this house going along the road to school two by two.
Elizabeth’s husband was gone for 21 years searching for and working in the gold fields. Occasionally he would send some money home for his family, but Ezra was responsible for the raising and education of these five children in addition to his own 12 children and 4 step-children.
When Elizabeth’s husband finally returned from California, he came back a penniless man. He never found the fortune that he had dreamed about.
The Davis County history says that Ezra Kirkham was a precise, methodical man, an example to his fellow farmers. There was nothing slovenly about his farm. It was clean. His fields like the gardens before he planted, and his corn rows were straight to perfection. He did his work in his own atmosphere, which did not appear particularly warm and inviting to others, so acquiring the title “Old Ezra” although he was in much esteem as a strong upstanding man.
During these busy years Ezra is mentioned in the political history of Davis County as a County Commissioner. Also, as one of the organizers of the Drakesville Christian Church in the year 1846.
In 1866 Ezra decided it was time to move on, so he purchased land four miles SE of Albia, in Urbana Township of Monroe County. By this time many of his children had families of their own and had moved away from the crowded home of their parents. Ezra had lost a son in the Civil War in the Battle of Jonesboro, Ga. This son is buried at the National Cemetery at Marietta, Ga. Ezra lived the rest of his life in Monroe County. He died in 1887 and is buried in Oak View Cemetery in Albia.
Ezra was a fine violinist and flutist, and considered by his family as a rare musician. As long as he was able, he would go back to the Drakseville Fourth of July celebration to take part in the celebration.
While living here in Monroe County his daughter Margaret, 21, died of consumption. Two years later his wife Mary Ann Neidigh Kirkham died. The next year his step-daughter, Elizabeth Neidigh died at the age of 29. She had been a school teacher in Troy Township. There three members of his family died within three short years. They are buried at Oak View Cemetery.
Ezra is buried with his wife and part of his family at Oak View. His stone stands straight and erect amidst many fallen and broken stones. Perhaps this reflects the sturdiness and firmness of the character whose body is buried beneath the sod. The Black Hawk War Standard is by his stone and always holds a flag on memorial day.
Ezra Mitchell Kirkham was an uncle to my Grandfather, George Dooley Kirkham. When my grandparents were first married they made their home with him. Here again Ezra was sharing his home and helping members of his family.
Through my years of family research I have tried to get in touch with a descendant of Old Uncle Ezra but haven’t been successful in finding one. I’d be delighted if anyone could give me a clue as to whatever happened to this line of my family.
Ezra’s family consisted mainly of girls. He had four sons, one of whom was killed in the Civil War. Another son had all daughters, and yet another son had no children at all. So, Ezra’s direct line of descendants would not carry on the Kirkham family name.
Sunday, August 23, 2009
Celia Lydia Dick Kirkham
This photo was sent by Arthur Dicks. It is a photo of Celia Lydia Kirkham with her dog Shep. He used to help her get the cows rounded up so that she could milk them. Bah remembers him fondly. This photo was taken on her farm before 1933.
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